3 Comments

• dr schmitty

  May 24, 2009 | Permalink |

  there seem to be two main paths to this:

  1. go to school and major in psychology and/or behavioral health

  2. become the biggest drug abuser ever, stop, then tell others your story over and over and over

• ReggieR

  May 24, 2009 | Permalink |

  First of all let me just tell you how I started in substance abuse counseling. It also depends on where you live.
  I got my A.A. in Pre Psychology. Then got my Bach Social Work, during which time I started doing practicum work at a substance abuse treatment center. I then got my Masters Degree in Counseling and by then was working full time as a counselor at an Inpatient Tx center. Would be glad to discuss this more with you if you want to email me. God Bless Reggie

• gaston8291

  May 24, 2009 | Permalink |

  It all depends on the company you wantto work for and their qualifications and also the state, some have licensing for such things….the tweo ways that come to find right away is to get a BA in a social science field (I have worked as one and had a BA in Criminal justice/though mostly I worked in dual diagnosis) the other would be to get a CDAC certification. I would suggest without knowing your work or education background to call the local university or community college and ask to speak to a career counselor or even someone in the psych department, or you could call a rehab center by you and ask to speak to someone in Human Resources and ask them their qualifications for entry level counselors..some places may start you out at entry level and have tuition reimbursment to further your education…as a counselor or any type it wouldbe in your bets interest to get a Master’s degree…good luck to you