Addictions Worker: Career Diploma Summary

About this article
Addictions workers can help people with substance abuse problems by counseling and suggesting treatment programs that can provide further assistance. People who suffer from an addiction need to know that they are not alone and that there are workers who are available to listen. Read more about this career below.
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What is an Addictions Worker?

An addictions worker who has earned a diploma and has been certified is allowed to counsel those who have an addiction, lead support groups, and find other treatment programs for those who need it.

Required Courses:

In order to become a certified addictions counselor or assistant, students must first complete a certificate program that will prepare them to deal with addiction issues and in an ethical manner. Basic courses required include:

  • Counseling skills
  • Group counseling
  • Ethics classes
  • Types of addictions

Skills Obtained:

The skills obtained from earning a diploma in order to find employment as an addictions worker will help students talk to those who are in crisis. Students will be trained in how to use the correct procedures to help people take the steps needed to change their lifestyle.

Career Related Information

Reasons to Earn a Diploma in Addiction Work:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, the need for counselors that are certified to run counseling sessions is growing. This is in part because many drug offenders who have been sent to prison are being given the opportunity to seek treatment in addition to punishment.

Salary Information:

Those who have a diploma in addictions work can expect to earn between $25,000 and $40,000 annually depending on their geographic location.

Economic Outlook and Growth of the Addiction Workers Field:

This field will continue to grow as more and more people decide to talk about their substance abuse problems within groups and with counselors. Finding the help they need to get better has become a priority for many.

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision Qualitative
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision Quantitative
      • Bridge (Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision - Qualitative Research)
      • Bridge (Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision - Quantitative Research)
    Master's
      • MS in Addiction Counseling
      • M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Integrated Health
      • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Childhood and Adolescence Disorders
      • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Christian Counseling
      • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Counseling - Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse
      • B.S. in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Substance Use Disorders
      • B.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Forensic Psychology
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Health Sciences
    Master's
      • Master: Psychology/Addictions
      • Master: Psychology/General Psychology
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Addictions
      • BS in Psychology in Addictions - Business Fundamentals
      • Bachelor: Health and Wellness
    Certificate
      • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Keiser University

    Program Options

    Associate's
      • Associate of Sciences - Medical Assistant
  • Campus and Online Programs
    4. The Chicago School

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.A. Counseling Psychology
      • M.A. Forensic Psychology
      • M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis
      • M.A. Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy
    Certificate
      • Certificate in Forensic Psychology - M.A. Non-Licensure Track to Licensure Bridge Program
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MA: Addiction Counseling
      • MA: Human Services Counseling: Addictions & Recovery
      • MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP)
      • MA: Pastoral Counseling: Addictions & Recovery
      • MA: Human Services Counseling: General
      • MA: Pastoral Counseling: Community Chaplaincy
  • Online Programs Available
    6. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
  • Online Programs Available
    7. Saint Leo University

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA: Psychology - Clinical/Counseling
  • Online Programs Available
    8. Abilene Christian University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT)
  • Western Governors University

  • Online Programs Available
    10. Colorado Christian University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Substance Use Disorders
      • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - On Site Curriculum
      • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Online Curriculum
      • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Marriage & Family Therpy
    Bachelor's
      • Applied Psychology, B.S. - Clinical Counseling

Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision Qualitative
  • MS in Addiction Counseling
  • BS in Counseling - Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse

What is your highest level of education?

Purdue Global

  • Doctor of Health Sciences
  • Master: Psychology/Addictions
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Addictions
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate

Which subject are you interested in?

Keiser University

  • Associate of Sciences - Medical Assistant

What is your highest level of education?

The Chicago School

  • M.A. Counseling Psychology
  • M.A. Forensic Psychology
  • Certificate in Forensic Psychology - M.A. Non-Licensure Track to Licensure Bridge Program

What is your highest level of education completed?

Liberty University

  • MA: Addiction Counseling
  • MA: Human Services Counseling: Addictions & Recovery
  • MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP)

What is your highest level of education?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)

Which subject are you interested in?

Saint Leo University

  • BA: Psychology - Clinical/Counseling

What is your highest level of education completed?

Abilene Christian University

  • Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT)

What is your highest level of education completed?