ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Substance Use Counselor Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Acadia Healthcare

Substance Use Counselor

Tigard, OR

$23.50 - $31.75/hr

Substance Use Counselor * CADC-R, CADC I, CADC II, or CADC III Full Time Hours: * Monday - Friday or Tuesday - Saturday; 5:30 AM to 2:00 PM * Saturday hours 6:00 am to 10:00 am. Our Benefits: * Semi ...

Acadia Healthcare

Substance Use Counselor

Portland, OR · On-site

$23.50 - $31.75/hr

Substance Use Counselor * CADC-R, CADC I, CADC II, or CADC III Full Time Hours: Monday - Friday 5:00 AM - 1:30 PM Our Benefits: * Semi-Annual Bonus Program * Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Acadia Healthcare

Substance Use Counselor

Portland, OR

$23.50 - $31.75/hr

Substance Use Counselor * CADC-R, CADC I, CADC II, or CADC III Full Time Hours: Monday - Friday 5:00 AM - 1:30 PM Our Benefits: * Semi-Annual Bonus Program * Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Acadia Healthcare

Substance Use Counselor

Tigard, OR · On-site

$23.50 - $31.75/hr

Substance Use Counselor * CADC-R, CADC I, CADC II, or CADC III Full Time Hours: * Monday - Friday or Tuesday - Saturday; 5:30 AM to 2:00 PM * Saturday hours 6:00 am to 10:00 am. Our Benefits: * Semi ...

Lifeline Connections

Peer Counselor

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$19 - $22.61/hr

Our Vision - As the premier provider of substance use and mental health services in the Pacific ... Peer Counselor Non-Exempt Position RESPONSIBLE TO: Peer Supervisor and Program Director MAJOR ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSubstance Use Counselor JobsSubstance Use Counselor Jobs in Portland, OR

Substance Use Counselor information

See Portland, OR salary details

$14

$26

$37

How much do substance use counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for substance use counselor in Portland, OR is $26.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.60 and $30.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a substance use counselor?

A Substance Use Counselor is a mental health professional who helps individuals struggling with drug, alcohol, or other substance dependencies. They assess clients’ needs, develop treatment plans, provide counseling, and support clients through recovery. Substance Use Counselors may work in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, or community organizations, often collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Their goal is to help clients understand their addiction, develop coping strategies, and maintain long-term sobriety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a substance use counselor?

To thrive as a Substance Use Counselor, you need a background in counseling, psychology, or social work—often with a relevant degree and state licensure or certification. Familiarity with case management systems, assessment tools, and evidence-based treatment modalities such as CBT or motivational interviewing is common. Strong interpersonal skills, active listening, and cultural sensitivity help build trust and rapport with clients. These competencies are essential for providing effective support, fostering recovery, and navigating the complexities of addiction treatment.

What are some common challenges substance use counselors face when working with clients, and how are these typically addressed within the team?

Substance Use Counselors often encounter challenges such as client relapse, resistance to treatment, and co-occurring mental health disorders. These issues are typically addressed through regular team meetings, case consultations, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals like social workers and psychiatrists. Counselors also receive ongoing training and supervision to stay updated on best practices and to ensure they have the support needed to manage complex cases. This team-based approach helps provide comprehensive care and promotes the counselor's professional growth.

What is the difference between Substance Use Counselor vs Addiction Therapist?

AspectSubstance Use CounselorAddiction Therapist
CredentialsCertification (e.g., CADC, CAC)Licensed or certified in addiction counseling
Work EnvironmentRehabilitation centers, outpatient clinicsRehab facilities, mental health clinics
Industry UsageCommonly used in healthcare and community programsOften used interchangeably with Substance Use Counselor

Both roles focus on helping individuals overcome substance abuse, often requiring similar certifications and working in comparable environments. The main difference lies in terminology preference, with 'Addiction Therapist' sometimes implying a broader scope of mental health treatment. However, in practice, these titles are often used interchangeably in the industry.

What do you need to be a substance use counselor?

To become a substance use counselor, you typically need a relevant bachelor's degree or higher in fields like psychology, social work, or counseling, along with specialized training in addiction treatment. Certification or licensure, such as Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), is often required or preferred. Strong communication skills, empathy, and knowledge of addiction recovery are essential for success in this role.

Is it worth becoming a substance use counselor?

A substance use counselor helps individuals recover from addiction by providing therapy, support, and education. The role often requires relevant certifications, strong communication skills, and empathy, with job growth expected due to increasing awareness of substance abuse issues. It can be a rewarding career for those interested in mental health and helping others, though it may involve emotional challenges and variable work hours.

What are popular job titles related to Substance Use Counselor jobs in Portland, OR?

For Substance Use Counselor jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Substance Use Counselor jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Substance Use Counselor jobs in Portland, OR are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Substance Use Counselor jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Substance Use Counselor job openings:

Substance Use Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Substance Use Counselor job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,975 per year, or $26.9 per hour.

Substance Use Counselor

Acadia Healthcare

Tigard, OR

$23.50 - $31.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 hours ago

Acadia Healthcare rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 190 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

701st of 887 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Outpatient MAT Opioid Treatment Program

Seeking: Substance Use Counselor

  • CADC-R, CADC I, CADC II, or CADC III

Full Time Hours:

  • Monday - Friday or Tuesday - Saturday; 5:30 AM to 2:00 PM 
  • Saturday hours 6:00 am to 10:00 am.

Our Benefits: 

  • Semi-Annual Bonus Program
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Competitive 401(k) plan
  • Paid vacation and sick time
  • Employer-paid clinical supervision (free to employees)
  • Free and unlimited access to 500+ accredited Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering continued support to employee lifestyle and well-being
  • Early morning hours offering a great work/life balance
  • Opportunity for growth that is second to none in the industry

Our Team:

Tigard Comprehensive Treatment Center (CTC), located in Tigard, Oregon, is part of Acadia Healthcare's Comprehensive Treatment Centers, the leading provider of medication-assisted treatment in the nation. Our counseling team provides compassionate, high-quality counseling and therapy to patients that are seeking recovery from Opioid Use Disorder.

Your Job as a Substance Use Counselor:

The Substance Use Counselor is instrumental in our patient’s treatment and recovery from opioid use disorder. Substance Use Counselors provide high quality, compassionate care through various mediums which include both individual and group counseling sessions.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Provide high quality, compassionate guidance in both individual and group counseling sessions.
  • Plan, oversee, facilitate and document patient's recovery.
  • Co-facilitate assigned group or family sessions as needed.
  • Ensure all documentation regarding patient care, treatment, and incidents is completed timely and in a clear, concise manner.
  • Prepare individual treatment plans for each assigned patient.
  • Initial assessments as well as follow up assessments.
  • Evaluate patient needs and determine if referrals to other programs or facilities are needed.
  • May plan for aftercare for assigned patients.
  • Provide crisis intervention to patients, as needed.
  • Provide case management duties for patients, ensuring individualized quality care as needed.
  • Act as a liaison between referral sources and patients, as needed.

Eligible positions may qualify for student loan forgiveness through HRSA, depending on clinic site eligibility. Check your eligibilty here: HRSA Eligibility


Required Education, Skills, and Qualifications:  

  • HS graduate or equivalent required;  
  • Prefer Bachelor's or Master’s degree in social or health services field; 
  • Degree must be from an accredited college or university.  

  • Previous experience in addiction recovery or behavioral health settings, such as outpatient, residential, or correctional facilities.

  • Familiarity with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

  • Experience conducting individual and group counseling sessions focused on substance use recovery.

  • Knowledge of evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and relapse prevention techniques.

  • Documentation experience, including maintaining clinical notes, treatment plans, and progress updates in accordance with state and federal guidelines.

  • Familiarity with state regulatory standards (e.g., 42 CFR Part 2, HIPAA, Joint Commission standards).

  • Experience collaborating in a multidisciplinary team with medical staff, case managers, and peer support specialists.

Required Licenses/Certifications: 

  • Oregon CADC R or higher (CADC I, CADC II, CADC III) is required  

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.

#LI-CTC

#LI-MM1

AHCTC

What Acadia Healthcare employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Acadia Healthcare logo

About Acadia Healthcare

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Acadia Healthcare is a leading provider in the healthcare and hospital industry, based in Franklin, Tennessee, United States. The company is recognised for its commitment to creating a behavioural health network that provides accessible, high-quality treatment options for individuals suffering from mental health issues, addiction, eating disorders, and PTSD. Acadia Healthcare was founded in 2005, with the mission to create a world-class organization that sets the standard of excellence in the treatment of specialty behavioural health and addiction disorders.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Franklin, TN, US

Year founded

2005

Social media

Facebook

View All Acadia Healthcare Jobs

Apply