药物滥用和行为障碍咨询师

工作日程

药物滥用和行为障碍辅导员可以全职或兼职工作，在某些情况下需要值夜班、周末班或节假日班。 

典型职责

• 查看客户/病人的记录和报告，了解他们的背景、挫折和迄今为止的进展情况
• 安排一对一或小组辅导课程
• 分析客户药物依赖的严重程度
• 制定和调整个性化治疗计划
• 收集生物样本进行药物测试
• 跟踪客户的吸毒或酗酒模式
• 根据需要与心理学家、精神病学家和社会工作者等医疗团队成员合作
• 根据需要与假释官或司法系统的其他人员讨论客户的情况
• 在危机情况下进行干预
• 审查进展和目标实现情况
• 参加培训课程，增加与该领域相关的知识和技能
• 与受影响的家庭成员进行面谈，向他们介绍各种服务和项目选项，并教育他们如何尽最大努力支持患者

额外责任

• 为出院病人办理后续护理手续
• 培训新辅导员和实习生
• 根据需要转介其他社会服务或治疗方案
• 制作公众教育材料和计划
• 出席会议并发表演讲
• 了解相关行业政策和资金变化的最新情况
• 维护和保护实物记录和电子记录

软技能

• 怜悯之心
• 稳重
• 合作
• 可靠性
• 注重细节
• 勤奋
• 创新思维
• 诚信
• 倾听技巧
• 循序渐进
• 动机
• 谈判技巧
• 观察者
• 病人
• 持久性
• 劝说性
• 建立关系
• 安全意识
• 健全的判断力
• 教学技能
• 时间管理 

技术技能

• 成瘾综合健康强化支持系统
• 用于预约的日历工具
• 计算机辅助认知行为疗法（CBT）
• 数据库查询软件
• Medical programs such as Athena’s Penelope Case Management
• 办公软件
• 演示程序
• 档案管理计划
• 治疗教育系统

• 政府机构
• 医院和诊所
• 心理健康和药物滥用康复中心

Persons suffering from addictions can be challenging to work with. Their behavior may be unpredictable, and relapses are common. Often, they struggle with mental health problems, as well, creating another layer of complexities. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors must apply all their knowledge and skills to find workable treatment and recovery paths for their clients and patients, some of whom are not always willing participants (such as those who are involuntarily committed to a rehab program). 

辅导员的工作就像情绪过山车，有时会给他们带来压力和挫败感。许多心理咨询师都会因为案例过多和/或资源匮乏而产生职业倦怠。他们的治疗计划是否有效关系重大，一旦出现问题，压力就会让他们付出代价。不过，重要的是要对挫折有所预期和计划，并不断向前推进。当心理咨询师保持动力和毅力时，他们往往可以帮助客户扭转他们的生活！ 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects up to 22% job growth for the field, compared to an average of just 5% for all occupations. One reason for the job boost? Several states are viewing counseling services as a more humane alternative to jail time for persons charged with drug-related activities. There’s also a growing movement by the military to help veterans in need of professional mental health and substance abuse counseling services. 

Another reason is that alcohol and drug use surged during the Covid pandemic, creating a desperate need for more trained Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors to enter the workforce. Of particular concern is the frightening trend of cartels targeting younger customers with “rainbow fentanyl” which is “50 times more potent than heroin” and can be fatal in doses “equal to 10-15 grains of table salt.”

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors tend to be compassionate people who may have always tried to help others. The field attracts people from all walks of life, but it’s not uncommon for people who were affected by substance abuse—either from their own use or that of a loved one—to take up this profession. Data USA notes that currently nearly 3/4th of workers in this field are women, with the most common college majors being psychology, education, and public admin/social services.