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Forensic Addictions Counselor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Forensic mental health treatment through individual and group therapy settings * Life skills ... Addiction program * Provide after-care plan for clients returning to the community including ...

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Forensic Addictions Counselor information

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$32.5K

$54.2K

$71K

How much do forensic addictions counselor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic addictions counselor in the United States is $54,226.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,500.00 and $61,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a forensic addictions counselor?

A Forensic Addictions Counselor is a specialized professional who works with individuals involved in the criminal justice system who struggle with substance abuse or addiction. These counselors assess, treat, and support clients as they work toward recovery, often as part of court-mandated programs or rehabilitation efforts. They collaborate with legal and healthcare professionals to develop treatment plans, provide therapy, and help clients navigate legal obligations related to their substance use. Their goal is to reduce recidivism and promote long-term sobriety. The role requires knowledge of addiction, counseling techniques, and the criminal justice system.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forensic addictions counselor?

To thrive as a Forensic Addictions Counselor, you need a background in counseling, addiction treatment, and criminal justice, often supported by a relevant degree and state licensure or certification. Familiarity with assessment tools, treatment planning software, and legal documentation systems is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to build trust and motivate clients are crucial soft skills. These competencies enable counselors to effectively support individuals within the justice system, ensuring ethical care and promoting recovery while addressing public safety concerns.

What are some common challenges faced by forensic addictions counselors working within the criminal justice system?

Forensic Addictions Counselors often encounter challenges such as managing clients who are resistant to treatment due to court mandates, navigating complex legal and ethical issues, and working with individuals who have co-occurring mental health disorders. Counselors must balance the requirements of the legal system with the needs of their clients, while maintaining confidentiality and building trust. Additionally, collaboration with probation officers, attorneys, and other professionals is frequent, requiring strong communication skills and adaptability.

What is the difference between Forensic Addictions Counselor vs Substance Abuse Counselor?

AspectForensic Addictions CounselorSubstance Abuse Counselor
CredentialsState certification, CADC, or equivalent; may require additional forensic trainingState certification, CADC or CAC
Work EnvironmentCriminal justice settings, forensic facilities, courtsRehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, community health settings
Employer & IndustryCriminal justice, forensic hospitals, correctional facilitiesHealthcare, mental health clinics, community organizations
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared due to forensic focus and certification requirementsMore general addiction treatment roles

In summary, Forensic Addictions Counselors specialize in working within the criminal justice system and forensic settings, often requiring additional forensic training. Substance Abuse Counselors typically work in healthcare and community settings, focusing on addiction treatment without the forensic component. Both roles require certification but differ mainly in work environment and focus.

How to become a forensic addictions counselor?

To become a forensic addictions counselor, you typically need a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field, followed by obtaining relevant certifications such as Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). Gaining experience in addiction treatment and understanding forensic settings is also important, and some roles may require a master's degree or specialized training in forensic psychology.
More about Forensic Addictions Counselor jobs

What job categories do people searching Forensic Addictions Counselor jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Forensic Addictions Counselor jobs are:

Infographic showing various Forensic Addictions Counselor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 36% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 63% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,226 per year, or $26.1 per hour.

Certified Addictions Counselor

Aspire Behavioral Health & DD Services

Albany, GA โ€ข On-site

$33K - $42K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

  1. ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS                                            

Position Title: Certified Addictions Counselor

Position Number:                                           Date:    7/7/26

Employee:

Work Unit: DCOP                                            County: Dougherty

Immediate Supervisor's Title:  Eastern Counties Coordinator

List positions supervised through immediate contact:

Number:                                                             Title:                                                                                                                    

  1. QUALIFICATIONS (including physical requirements)

Certification in Addiction Counseling

  1. EQUIPMENT THAT REQUIRES SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE:

NONE                                                                                                 

  1. BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN CATEGORY (check one)                            

____ Employee routinely performs tasks that involve exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material as part of their assigned duties (Category I).

____ Employee performs assigned tasks which does not involve exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material, BUT employment may require performing unplanned category I tasks (Category II).

__x__ Employee performs assigned tasks which involve no exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material AND performance of category I tasks are not a condition of employment (Category III).                                                                                         

  1. MANDATORY TRAINING CATEGORY (Check One)

__x__ Administrative        __x__ Direct Care        ____ Medical                                                                                                     

  1. PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

Aspire Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability's goal is to continually improve the delivery of service by improvement of individual outcomes and satisfaction.  All employees have a role in performance improvement and are expected to interact collaboratively with co-workers and other contacts to provide consistent, high-quality, individually focused services.

G. SPECIAL NEEDS OF POPULATION SERVED

(Age Related, Cultural and Linguistic Competence)

Work requires the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the comprehensive needs and dynamics of individuals with behavioral health and substance use disorders, co-occurring conditions, and justice involvement in a correctional setting. The Forensic Peer Mentor utilizes lived experience with recovery and/or justice involvement to provide peer support services that foster hope, engagement, self-advocacy, resilience, and successful community reintegration.

Under the general supervision of the Outpatient Program Coordinator, the Forensic Peer Mentor provides recovery coaching, peer support, education, advocacy, engagement, discharge planning support, and linkage to community resources for incarcerated individuals preparing to transition back into the community. The Forensic Peer Mentor collaborates with correctional staff, behavioral health providers, medical personnel, community partners, and peer specialists to promote recovery-oriented care and continuity of services following release.

Staff should be able to:

a. Work under the direction of the Outpatient Program Coordinator to ensure the effective delivery of Jail In-Reach peer support services.

b. Utilize lived experience to establish trusting, recovery-oriented relationships with justice-involved individuals and engage participants in behavioral health and recovery services.

c. Provide individual and group peer support services that promote hope, recovery, wellness, resilience, and successful community reintegration.

d. Assist participants in identifying personal strengths, developing self-advocacy skills, setting recovery goals, and increasing motivation to engage in treatment and recovery supports.

e. Maintain timely, accurate, and complete documentation in accordance with agency policies, DBHDD standards, correctional facility requirements, and applicable regulatory guidelines. Complete monthly and other outcome reporting as required by the Program Coordinator and justice leadership.

f. Collaborate with multidisciplinary treatment teams, correctional staff, behavioral health providers, probation/parole officers, community agencies, and other stakeholders to support coordinated care and successful reentry.

g. Assist participants with discharge and reentry planning by facilitating connections to community behavioral health services, substance use treatment, peer support, recovery community organizations, housing resources, employment services, educational opportunities, transportation, benefits, and other recovery supports.

h. Provide education regarding recovery, wellness, relapse prevention, harm reduction, overdose prevention, coping strategies, community resources, and navigating behavioral health and criminal justice systems.

i. Demonstrate the ability to establish professional peer relationships while maintaining healthy boundaries, confidentiality, ethical standards, and adherence to correctional facility security protocols.

j. Participate in staff meetings, multidisciplinary case staffing, required trainings, supervision, quality improvement activities, and other program initiatives.

k. Perform other duties as assigned.

H. ASSIGNED DUTIES

DESCRIPTION OF WORK DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Type in or attach current description of duties. Employees are expected to perform their work in a competent and efficient manner. Include % of time.)

Duties Include:

Ability to provide recovery-oriented peer support services to justice-involved individuals within a correctional setting while collaborating effectively with clinical, correctional, and community partners. Responsibilities include engaging participants through the use of lived experience; providing individual and group peer mentoring and recovery coaching; assisting individuals in identifying strengths and developing personal recovery goals; promoting hope, wellness, and self-advocacy; documenting peer support services in accordance with agency and regulatory standards; participating in multidisciplinary treatment planning and case staffing; assisting with discharge and reentry planning; facilitating referrals and warm handoffs to community behavioral health providers, peer support programs, substance use treatment, housing, employment, education, transportation, and other recovery resources; educating participants regarding recovery, wellness, harm reduction, and community supports; maintaining compliance with correctional facility policies and procedures; promoting participant engagement in services; and contributing to improved recovery outcomes, reduced recidivism, increased community stability, and successful transition from incarceration to community-based care. Employees are expected to perform all assigned duties in a competent, ethical, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, recovery-oriented, and person-centered manner while adhering to Aspire BHDD policies, DBHDD Certified Peer Specialist standards, and applicable state and federal regulations.


Aspire Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Services logo

About Aspire Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Services

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As a safety-net provider of mental health, addictive disease, and developmental disability services for the state of Georgia, Aspire seeks to lead our communities towards health, hope, and recovery. Our services strengthen our community by supporting our most important asset โ€“ our people. Aspire provides individuals with recovery-focused and trauma-informed care, collaborates with community partners to strengthen programs and systems, and works to raise awareness of behavioral health issues in our community. Through early intervention and community-based treatment services, we seek to meet people where they are. Our dedicated team of professionals strives to empower individuals to define what recovery and well-being looks like for each person and to provide the support and resources needed for every individual to reach their goals. Services to youth, families, and adults are provided in agency locations as well as partnering community agencies within Baker, Calhoun, Early, Dougherty, Lee, Miller, Terrell, and Worth Counties. Our Mission is to offer affordable, accessible, and quality Mental Health, Addictive Disease and Developmental Disability services by skilled professionals who are sensitive to the needs of individuals and families served. Our Vision is to lead our communities toward Health, Hope, & Recovery.

Industry

Outpatient health care

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Albany, GA, US