It takes a lot of work and commitment to become a substance abuse counselor, but the rewards make the journey worthwhile. At Colorado Counselor Training, we focus a lot on the type of training to become a counselor, as we provide different approved counselor courses. However, we should not neglect the many benefits of choosing this rewarding career. In this article, we will explore the reasons many individuals choose to become addiction counselors in the first place.
Rewarding Work
Becoming a counselor means you will work towards improving the lives of suffering individuals. You will do this in many ways. Some of your work may entail finding resources to help your client fight their disease, or give them helpful advice to repair relationships they damaged while under the influence. Homelessness is a pervasive problem among individuals who struggle with substance abuse. As a counselor, you will try to address this issue and help people become productive members of the community.
Work in Different Settings
Many people in the workforce complain about deskwork. A surprising fact is that it results in several serious injuries and can affect one’s posture, eye strength, and promotes inactivity. As a counselor, you will no longer sit at a desk eight hours a day, but experience multiple settings to connect with struggling individuals. Many counselors sometimes work in hospitals, clinics, courts, and even police departments. Of course, this is not the reason people should pursue CAC training, but it may be an extra incentive for some who can no longer endure the strain of desk work.
Counseling is on the Rise
The professional field needs more counselors. Millions of people in the U.S. struggle with substance abuse. Many of them have or will make an attempt to get their lives back on track. This has created a need for more well-trained counselors. People who can help with both substance abuse and mental health conditions are in greater demand than any others in this line of work. Substance abuse and mental health often overlap, demanding an individual who understands the struggles of both and can sympathize with their difficult situation.
In addition to a demand for such counselors, there is also a significant opportunity to grow in the field. You may not want to be a substance abuse counselor forever, but with this knowledge and experience, you can go on to pursue many leadership roles. Or you can take the knowledge and skills you have learned in this profession to work independently – and more importantly, succeed.
Endless Support
Starting a new career is challenging, especially if you do not have unlimited resources to guide you. When you become a substance abuse counselor, you will come across hurdles and learning curves, especially at the beginning. However, it is unlikely that you will need to conquer them on your own. You will always be able to collaborate with other more experienced counselors and social workers. If you do not understand something, you will have a supportive team that will always look out for you by answering questions, providing resources, and overall ensuring that you succeed as a counselor. Toxic environments flourish in most professional injuries, but the beauty about this one is you are more likely to find coworkers who want to see you succeed.
What About Salary?
If you want to become a social abuse counselor, you probably are not doing it for the money. Instead, you want to work with individuals who are trying to get their lives back and be an integral part of their recovery. Counselors (and social workers) make approximately $23 an hour. Depending on where you live, this can be considered a comfortable salary. As you grow in this field, you will gather more experience and can earn significantly more than the median salary. Some counselors can earn upwards of $79,000 annually. Even though it is not one of the most financially lucrative careers, it is lucrative in many other ways. Additionally, prospects will earn a comfortable salary, while doing a job they love.
Contact Colorado Counselor Training
You now know some of the biggest rewards of becoming a counselor and working with substance abuse patients. If you are excited about and ready to get started with this rewarding job, contact Colorado Counselor Training. facilitate the growth and development of Colorado’s Addiction Counselors and Mental Health Professionals by providing effective, affordable, and accessible training.
In addition to skills courses, we will help you develop the interpersonal skills necessary to interact with and deliver treatments to those who struggle with substance use issues. For training to become a substance abuse counselor, call 970.410.2799.
