Important Tips for Beginning a Career in Drug Counseling
Alcohol and substance has been on the rise, and fresh estimates prove that a majority of people are faced with the problem of addiction. There is; therefore, the need to have qualified counselors who will assist those people who are struggling with the addiction. Just like any other course, there are certain instructions that you have to follow if you are to enroll as a drug counselor. To start a career in this important field; you have to adhere to the following tips. First of all, you will need to have a complete degree which is accredited from a reputable institution. The specific necessities might vary from state to state, but one essential thing is that you must have completed the needed education.
According to your state, what might be needed is an associate degree which takes a shorter period to attain compared to a bachelors degree. Usually, a bachelors degree will mean that you take a long time in college, but the good thing is that you will have greater knowledge of some important issues. A bachelors degree is not enough because if you have a masters degree, then you have higher chances of securing a job and quickly. For the masters degree, there are some supervised hours that you have to go through and certain classes such as substance abuse models and counseling theory might be added. The graduate school will incorporate other advanced classes such as pharmacology and psychotherapy into your course. Securing a loan will help you attend the required classes and finish your course well.
Classroom teachings are not enough in the field of drug counseling and the presence of an experienced professional is important for guidance. States are also different when it comes to the period that you are to be under the supervision of a certified drug counselor. The reason, why it is important to work under the supervision of a licensed counselor, is that they will help you link with whatever you got in class. There are some background checks that you will have to go through before you are allowed to be a drug counselor.
There are some individuals who lie about their qualifications, and that is why employers will go the extra mile of verifying the credentials that you provide to them. If your potential employer wants you to work with children, then they have to find out how you have dealt with children before. Another last tip for becoming a drug counselor is that you will need to prepare for a licensing exam which is important for someone who wants to practice in the field of addiction and mental health.