Occupation
Addictions counsellor
Addictions counsellors work with people using substances or struggling with behavioural addictions, through assessment, individual sessions, and group programmes. The work follows structured approaches such as motivational interviewing and relapse-prevention planning, alongside coordination with medical, housing, and justice services. Relapse is a normal part of the caseload rather than a failure of the work.
Also known as: Substance use counsellor · Drug and alcohol counsellor · Addiction and mental health counsellor · Substance misuse practitioner
Occupation content
Part of Community, social and public services
What the work involves
- Assess substance use, risk, mental health, and readiness to change at intake
- Run individual counselling sessions and structured group programmes
- Write treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries
- Coordinate with physicians, withdrawal management, housing, and probation services
- Respond to relapse, overdose risk, and crisis situations using service protocols
- Take part in clinical supervision and case reviews with the treatment team
How people commonly enter
- A college diploma or degree in addictions, counselling, social work, or psychology
- A graduate qualification in counselling or clinical social work for roles carrying a protected title
- Certification through an addictions counsellor certifying body, which is common in the field and required by some employers
- Entry as a support or outreach worker in a treatment service, then qualifying while employed
Typical training: Varies by employer or jurisdiction
Licensing: Regulated in some jurisdictions — confirm the current requirement with the regulator in your province, state, or country.
Typical work context
Public facing · Team based · High responsibility · Quiet focus · Varied work
Related interests
Social (helping) · Investigative (analytical)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Community, social and public services.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — occupation search: substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor · United States
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- UK National Careers Service — Counsellor job profile · United Kingdom
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- Canada Job Bank — Career planning and occupation exploration (ESDC) · Canada
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Community, social and public services in Canada, not a figure for Addictions counsellor. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Community, social and public services family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Community, social and public services: education pathways
Some roles in Community, social and public services may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Community, social and public services: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)