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.
View available schools

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. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Health Sciences
      • Doctor of Health Sciences
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor: Health and Wellness
      • Bachelor: Health and Wellness
    Certificate
      • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate
      • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Bridge (Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision - Qualitative Research)
      • Bridge (Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision - Quantitative Research)
    Master's
      • 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
      • 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
    3. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DMN: Pastoral Counseling
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Leadership: Ministry Leadership
    Master's
      • MA: Pastoral Counseling: Addictions and Recovery
      • Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling: General
      • MA: Pastoral Counseling: Community Chaplaincy
      • MA: Pastoral Counseling
      • MA: Pastoral Counseling: Crisis Response and Trauma
      • MA: Pastoral Counseling: Dobson Center Family Advocacy, Public Policy, and the Future
    Bachelor's
      • BS: Religion: Christian Counseling
  • Online Programs Available
    5. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • PhD - Substance-Related and Addictive Disorder
      • DMFT - Child and Adolescent Therapy
      • EdD - Trauma Informed Education Practices
      • PhD - Trauma-Informed Educational Practices
      • PhD - Trauma and Disaster Relief
      • PhD - Child and Adolescent Therapy
    Master's
      • MAMFT - Systemic Treatment of Addictions
      • Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • MAMFT - Trauma Informed Systemic Therapy
      • MEd - Trauma-Informed Educational Practices
      • MAMFT - Child and Adolescent Family Therapy
      • MAMFT - Couple Therapy
    Certificate
      • EdS - Trauma-Informed Educational Practices
  • Western Governors University

  • Iowa City, IA

    University of Iowa

  • Detroit, MI

    Wayne State University

Featured Schools

Purdue Global

  • Doctor of Health Sciences
  • Bachelor: Health and Wellness
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate

Which subject are you interested in?

Grand Canyon University

  • Bridge (Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision - Qualitative Research)
  • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Childhood and Adolescence Disorders
  • B.S. in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Substance Use Disorders

What is your highest level of education?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis

What is your highest level of education completed?

Liberty University

  • DMN: Pastoral Counseling
  • MA: Pastoral Counseling: Addictions and Recovery
  • BS: Religion: Christian Counseling

What is your highest level of education?

National University

  • PhD - Substance-Related and Addictive Disorder
  • MAMFT - Systemic Treatment of Addictions
  • EdS - Trauma-Informed Educational Practices

What is your highest level of education?