Substance Abuse Online Degree Programs

The substance abuse online degree prepares students to work with clients to help prevent substance abuse. Addictions counselors work with clients who have alcohol and drug addictions and dependencies and also provide counseling services to people close to them.

Graduates of substance abuse counseling and addictions counseling work as substance abuse counselors while others further their further education to then work as clinical psychologists or social workers. Substance abuse therapists are usually state-licensed. They require masters in addiction counseling or related area. Many work for state and local government agencies, social service agencies, hospitals, schools and residential care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and private practice. As more research and analysis is conducted, and as we become more ware of the psychology of addition and substance abuse, it is becoming more common for people to seek treatment, and drug and alcohol offenders are increasingly being sent to treatment programs rather in addition to or in place of jail.

Substance Abuse Online Degree Programs

Kaplan University

• MS in Psychology - Addictions
• BS in Psychology - Substance Abuse

Grand Canyon University

• MS in Addiction Counseling
• BS in Addiction Counseling

Capella University - Online

• MS in Addiction Counseling

Liberty University

• BS in Psychology - Substance Abuse

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Substance Abuse Training and Education

For licensed counselors in most states, a master’s degree is necessary to practice. In some states, substance abuse counselors are required to have a minimum of a GED or high school diploma and some college-level courses specific to drug counseling to gain employment in the addictions counseling field. Several online universities offer associate and bachelor's degrees in human services specializing in psychology of addiction.

Students in these substance abuse degree programs take substance abuse courses in family therapy, abnormal psychology, pharmacology, counseling techniques, and counseling ethics. Most addictions counseling programs have a practical or clinical field experience component. A list of courses may include:

• Individual and group counseling skills
• Psychology of addiction
• Substance abuse identification methods
• Sociology of addiction
• Crisis intervention
• Substance abuse treatment methods
• Substance abuse prevention
• Treatment resources
• Pharmacology
• Behavioral elements of abused substances
• Treatment evaluation
• Patient observation and education
• Group counseling techniques
• Theories of counseling
• Counseling standards and ethics
• Professional laws and regulations

In addition to the coursework, a practicum or clinical experience is required and students must complete the minimum number of required hours. Some substance abuse counseling programs are offered as specializations within programs such as counseling psychology, clinical psychology, and social work. Depending on specialization and the specific degree earned, graduates of Substance Abuse Counseling degree programs work as substance abuse counselors, clinical psychologists, and social workers. A state counseling license is generally required to practice as a professional.

Addictions Counseling and Substance Abuse Careers

A degree in Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling prepares professionals to work in services for preventing substance abuse, counsel individuals and their families with drug and alcohol dependencies, as well as conduct intervention and provide therapeutic services for individuals with addictions.

Substance abuse counselors work in health agencies, non-profit organizations community programs, private clinics, hospitals, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, local and state government agencies, outpatient clinics, and other settings.

They use techniques like group and individual therapy to assist patients and clients in overcoming issues related to substance abuse, using. They may also work directly with their clients’ families to help them cope with the issues. In most cases, substance abuse counselors hold a masters degree in addictions counseling or substance abuse.

Estimated Income and Projected Career Growth

The substance abuse online degree is the first step to working in the profession, and specifically directly in addition counseling. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the substance abuse career will grow faster than most others in the coming years. The BLS reports that the overall employment of counselors is expected to grow by 18% between 2008 and 2018.

The median salary is around $32,130. Social workers in substance abuse treatment settings typically require a master's degree in social work (MSW) in order to be licensed. This is also a growing field and the median annual salary is $33,920. In 2008, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors made an average salary of $37,030. The middle 50% earned $29,410 to $47,290. The highest 10% percent earned over $59,460. Thus the substance abuse online degree provides flexibility in training while providing all the necessary training.

Substance abuse online degree programs and counseling degree programs