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How much do substance addiction jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for substance addiction in the United States is $57,621.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,000.00 and $62,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Substance Abuse Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Substance Abuse Counselor, you need a solid understanding of addiction counseling, case management, and psychology, typically supported by a relevant degree and state licensure or certification. Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems, counseling software, and standardized assessment tools is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and active listening abilities are crucial for building trust and effectively supporting clients. These skills are vital to guide individuals through recovery, develop effective treatment plans, and ensure the best outcomes for clients seeking help with addiction.

How to get a job in substance abuse?

To work in substance abuse, such as a substance abuse counselor or therapist, you typically need relevant education like a degree in social work, psychology, or counseling, along with state licensure or certification. Gaining experience through internships or supervised practice is also important, and strong communication and empathy skills are essential for working with clients in treatment settings.

What is a substance addiction counselor?

A substance addiction counselor is a trained professional who helps individuals struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. They provide support, guidance, and treatment strategies through one-on-one or group counseling sessions. These counselors assess clients' needs, develop treatment plans, and teach coping mechanisms to aid in recovery. Their goal is to help clients overcome substance dependence and improve their overall well-being.

What jobs can help people with addiction?

Jobs that help people with addiction include addiction counselors, social workers, and healthcare providers such as nurses and physicians specializing in addiction medicine. These roles often require relevant certifications, strong communication skills, and experience in mental health or substance use treatment environments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in substance addiction counseling, and how can they be managed?

Professionals in substance addiction counseling often encounter challenges such as managing emotional burnout, addressing client relapse, and navigating complex family dynamics. Building a strong support network among colleagues and participating in regular supervision can help manage emotional stress. Additionally, ongoing training and staying updated on evidence-based treatment approaches equip counselors to better support clients and maintain their own well-being. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams also provides opportunities to share insights and develop comprehensive care plans.

How long does it take to get CADC certification?

Substance addiction counselors seeking CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) certification typically need to complete 300 to 350 hours of approved education, accumulate 2,000 hours of supervised work experience, and pass a certification exam. The process generally takes several months to over a year, depending on the individual's pace and program schedule.

What is the difference between Substance Addiction vs Substance Abuse Counselor?

AspectSubstance AddictionSubstance Abuse Counselor
Required CredentialsOften no formal degree, but certifications like Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC)Typically requires a bachelor's or master's degree in counseling, psychology, or social work, plus certification
Work EnvironmentRehabilitation centers, hospitals, clinics, community programsCounseling centers, rehab facilities, outpatient clinics, hospitals
Industry UsageRefers to the condition or disorder involving substance dependenceRefers to the professional role providing treatment and support for those with substance addiction

Substance Addiction describes the condition of dependence on substances, while a Substance Abuse Counselor is a professional who helps individuals overcome this condition through therapy and support. The counselor's role involves assessment, counseling, and treatment planning, whereas substance addiction is the issue they address.

What careers have the highest substance abuse rates?

Substance addiction rates tend to be higher in jobs with high stress, irregular hours, or physically demanding work, such as construction, mining, hospitality, and transportation. These roles often involve access to substances and may have environments that increase the risk of substance misuse. Awareness and prevention programs are important in these industries to address the risk factors.
What cities are hiring for Substance Addiction jobs? Cities with the most Substance Addiction job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Substance Addiction jobs? The most popular types of Substance Addiction jobs are:
Addiction Recovery Counselor (Mental Health Services)

Addiction Recovery Counselor (Mental Health Services)

Vinfen

Allston, MA • On-site

$57K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


Vinfen rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Overview
Summary:
The ACCS Addiction Recovery Counselor promotes the full integration and functioning of Persons Served
(PS) needed to live successfully in the community. Works collaboratively with PS to understand how the
use of substances impacts their lives. Functions as resource to PS and other Team members on
substance addiction (SA) assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation techniques and resources.
SIGN ON BONUS: $2K
Responsibilities
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed
below:
  • Screens, assesses, and reassesses substance use, addiction risk and addiction treatment needs using
  • Simple Screening Instrument for Substance Abuse (SSI-SA) and other assessments; for PS in GLEs and outreach settings. Develop formulations, and direct other Licensed staff to develop formulations that address the level of use and potential risk, current impact of substances or addictive behavior, and the PS readiness for change.
  • Provide direct interventions and supports to PS by the Team with Substance misuse/addiction regardless of where they reside.
  • Employ trauma informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered, culturally competent and strengths based approaches and skills training techniques in the work.
  • Provide Addictions Treatment evidence-based and best practices to all PS, including Motivational Interviewing and Stages of Change; Harm Reduction and Relapse Prevention; SSI-SA; Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT); Seeking Safety, Wellness Recovery Action Plan(WRAP), and Cognitive Behavioral interventions, as well as the development of Safety Plans and Crisis Prevention and Response Plans, and 8 Dimensions of Wellness.
  • Refer PS and coordinate with Care Coordination entities to promote PS access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Dual Recovery groups, and other psycho-educational services that address substance misuse/addictions and related issues (Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDs treatment) as appropriate.
  • Provide Addictions Treatment psycho-educational services to PS individually and in groups.
  • Participate as member of intervention team for assigned PS.
  • Provide ongoing training, mentoring and modeling for Addictions Treatment evidenced-based practices to GLE SIE staff including but not limited to motivational interviewing, stages of change, harm reduction and housing first to support readiness, relapse prevention, and long-term addictions recovery for PS.
  • Perform, train, supervise, mentor, model evidenced-based clinical and recovery oriented interventions for PS, including Motivational Interviewing; Harm Reduction and Addiction Treatment support; Screening; Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT) and Seeking Safety. Performevidenced-based interventions including Stages of Change; Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP); and Cognitive Behavioral interventions.
  • Provide thorough and thoughtful documentation of PS needs and services.
  • Promote engagement, safe housing, community tenure, achievement of greater self-sufficiency and successful completion of service for all PS.
  • Promote healthcare, employment and education services access for PS.
  • Coordinate with Care Coordination Entities to ensure Persons have access to community-based acute addictions treatment, medication assisted treatment, self-help and peer support, and psychoeducational services that address addiction treatment and related issues and relapse prevention.
  • Participate as member of Addiction Recovery Counselor Community of Practice Workgroup led by Clinical Directors for licensure and role -specific supervision, continuous professional role competency development, mentoring and learning.
  • Receive regularly scheduled, role-based clinical supervision from Assistant Team Leader.
  • Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:
  • Strong commitment to the right and ability of people served by ACCS to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the clinical treatment, resources and supports needed to thrive in their community of choice
  • Extensive knowledge of Addiction Treatment principles and modalities, best practices and evidence-based practices, including Motivational Interviewing and Stages of Change; Harm Reduction; SSI-SA; Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT); Housing First; Addiction Peer Support Services; Seeking Safety, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), and Cognitive Behavioral interventions; acute Addiction Treatment practices; and Medication Assisted Treatment
  • Extensive knowledge of engagement strategies, and ability to build supportive, trusting relationships with PS
  • Knowledge of risk management and mitigation strategies
  • Knowledge of recovery-oriented, person-centered and strengths-based values and principles and modalities, empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
  • Knowledge of the effects of prejudice including internalized negative attitudes about oneself, discrimination, and oppression of people with psychiatric disorders, and the effects of poverty.
  • Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally competent services
  • Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability and gender issues of PS
  • Knowledge of human, legal, and civil rights of PS
  • Knowledge of emergency services and acute care addictions systems
  • Knowledge of community based mental health, health care, care coordination and other services and resources available to PS
  • Knowledge of health risks of psychiatric disability and/or addictions
  • Skills and competence to formulate appropriate treatment plans and train staff to performinterventions for substance misuse/addiction services
  • Knowledge of formal and informal substance misuse/addictions assessment practices
  • Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles and supervisory techniques
  • Knowledge of participatory and collaborative skills
  • Ability to provide leadership to staff on substance misuse/addictions issues
  • Ability to make independent judgments and decisions
  • Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
  • Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment
  • Knowledge of documentation standards

About Vinfen
Why Vinfen? We are committed to you! We offer great training, great benefits, career growth and job security!
Our comprehensive and generous benefits package includes:
  • A fully funded, employer-sponsored retirement plan that requires no employee contribution as well as an employee-funded 403(b) plan
  • First-rate Medical, Dental and Vision plans that are open all employees scheduled to work 30 hours per week or more. Plus, we offer a generous employer contribution toward the cost of medical insurance!
  • Employer-paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance (no cost to you!)
  • Employer-paid Short-Term Disability Insurance along with the option to purchase additional, voluntary, Short-Term disability insurance
  • Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (Health and Dependent care)
  • Voluntary Term, Whole Life, Accident and Critical Care Insurance
  • Generous paid time off (Employees scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week):
    • 15 days of Vacation per year
    • 11 Paid Holidays
    • 10 Sick Days per year
    • 3 Personal Days per year
  • Educational Assistance and Remission Programs
  • $500 Employee Referral Bonus with no annual cap!
  • Other generous benefits including discounted YMCA memberships, access to discounted movie tickets and more!

About Us:
Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.
My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.
Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Qualifications
Typical Requirements:
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required; bachelor's degree strongly preferred.
  • Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor or Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADC 1, LADC II, CADC I, or CADC II) in Massachusetts required.
  • Clinical experience working with people with co-occurring disorders or addictions preferred.
  • Must have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport PS.
  • Preference given to bilingual/bicultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions.

Driving Requirements:
Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or a personal vehicle. If using a
personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving
record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of
employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license
for at least one year and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.
Physical Effort:
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position.
Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift.
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist PS
with tasks of daily living. Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed. Ability to
bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility. Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with
PS, staff, and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision,
distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Additional Certifications Required:
CPR required within first two weeks of hire
First Aid required within two weeks of hire
MAP required within 150 days of hire
Pay Range
USD $57,480.00 - USD $65,796.53 /Yr.

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