Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Key Career Websites for Substance Abuse Counselors
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Stumble thisSubstance abuse and addictions counselors help troubled Americans in their struggles to end their dependence on alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, and eating behaviors. To qualify for work in this rewarding field, you’ll need to complete your career training or degree program, as well as pass certification requirements by the state in which you plan to practice. Many states require clinical hours and continuing education to maintain certifications. More than 83,000 professionals worked in the substance abuse and addictions field least year. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for addictions counselors will rise by 34 percent between 2006 and 2016.
If you’re in training now, there are governmental and non-profit organizations that can be invaluable resources as you advance in the field. Here are some that you should familiarize yourself with right away:
The National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
The National Association for Addiction Professionals was founded in 1972 and has grown in stature to become the single-largest professional organization serving the addiction counseling community. There are student memberships/rates available. The website offers members access to a discount bookstore, career job bank, and publications, including the NAADAC Newsletter and Addiction Professional magazine. You’ll also find timely issue briefs on legislation, methodologies, and other topics of importance to counselors in the field.
The Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR)
Hosted by the University of Maryland, The Center for Substance Abuse Research provides materials for professionals, individuals in treatment, and their families. You’ll find the resource and research sections of the site an invaluable asset for rounding up statistics about substance abuse, treatment, and prevention. You can monitor drug trends, policy and issue information, training materials, and sign up to receive a weekly fax/email newsletter on legislation, policy, treatment, and trending issues.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website offers comprehensive information on diagnosis, treatment, and policies related to alcoholism. The site hosts database resources, statistical tables, clinical guidelines, and research findings.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Editor: Sasha Orman is a graduate of UCSD with a degree in writing and years of experience with various online and print publications.
Melissa Steele is a professional writer and content developer with over 8 years experience working for online publications.
