药物滥用和行为障碍咨询师

工作日程

物质滥用和行为障碍咨询师可以全职或兼职工作，在某些情况下需要夜班、周末或假日轮班。 

典型职责

• 审查客户/患者的记录和报告，以了解他们的背景、挫折和迄今的进展情况
• 安排一对一或小组咨询课程
• 分析客户对毒品依赖的严重程度
• 制定和调整定制的治疗计划
• 收集用于药物测试的生物样本
• 追踪客户的药物或酒精滥用模式
• 根据需要，与医疗保健团队成员，如心理学家、精神病学家和社会工作者进行合作
• 根据需要，与假释官或司法系统的其他人讨论客户情况
• 在危机情况下进行干预
• 审查进展和目标实现情况
• 参加培训课程以增加与该领域相关的知识和技能
• 与受影响的家庭成员进行面谈，了解服务和项目选择，并教育他们如何尽可能地支持病人。

额外责任

• 为出院病人办理后续护理手续
• 培训新的辅导员和实习生
• 根据需要，为其他社会服务或治疗方案进行转诊
• 创建公共教育材料和方案
• 参加会议并作报告
• 了解相关行业政策和资金变化的最新情况
• 维护和保护实物和电子记录

软技能

• 怜悯之心
• 稳重
• 合作
• 可靠性
• 注重细节
• 勤奋
• 创新思维
• 诚信
• 倾听技巧
• 循序渐进
• 激励
• 谈判技巧
• 观察者
• 病人
• 持久性
• 劝说性
• 建立关系
• 安全意识
• 健全的判断力
• 教学技能
• 时间管理 

技术技能

• 成瘾-综合健康增强支持系统
• 用于预约的日历工具
• 计算机辅助认知行为疗法(CBT)
• 数据库查询软件
• Medical programs such as Athena’s Penelope Case Management
• 办公软件
• 演示程序
• 记录管理方案
• 治疗性教育系统

• 政府机构
• Hospitals and clinics
• 精神健康和药物滥用康复中心

Persons suffering from addictions can be challenging to work with. Their behavior may be unpredictable, and relapses are common. Often, they struggle with mental health problems, as well, creating another layer of complexities. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors must apply all their knowledge and skills to find workable treatment and recovery paths for their clients and patients, some of whom are not always willing participants (such as those who are involuntarily committed to a rehab program). 

这项工作可能是一个情感过山车，有时会导致压力和挫折。许多咨询师由于案件过多和/或资源匮乏而出现倦怠。他们的治疗计划的有效性有很大的影响，当事情不成功的时候，压力可能会造成损失。然而，重要的是要对挫折有所预期和计划，并继续向前推进。当咨询师保持动力和毅力时，他们往往可以帮助客户扭转他们的生活! 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects up to 22% job growth for the field, compared to an average of just 5% for all occupations. One reason for the job boost? Several states are viewing counseling services as a more humane alternative to jail time for persons charged with drug-related activities. There’s also a growing movement by the military to help veterans in need of professional mental health and substance abuse counseling services. 

Another reason is that alcohol and drug use surged during the Covid pandemic, creating a desperate need for more trained Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors to enter the workforce. Of particular concern is the frightening trend of cartels targeting younger customers with “rainbow fentanyl” which is “50 times more potent than heroin” and can be fatal in doses “equal to 10-15 grains of table salt.”

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors tend to be compassionate people who may have always tried to help others. The field attracts people from all walks of life, but it’s not uncommon for people who were affected by substance abuse—either from their own use or that of a loved one—to take up this profession. Data USA notes that currently nearly 3/4th of workers in this field are women, with the most common college majors being psychology, education, and public admin/social services.