Substance Abuse Social Workers

Substance abuse social workers provide unique understanding of multidimensional problems. The main goal of these professionals is to help individuals with drug abuse problems. They can find job in various settings including hospitals, clinics, churches, schools, government departments (e.g. the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs), nursing and residential care facilities, private practices and etc.

Substance Abuse Social Worker

Many life-changing treatments such as interventions have started with the help of a substance abuse social worker. Their ability to establish an immediate trusting relationship with a client is crucial to the acceptance of treatment and the beginning of recovery. But this is only the first step of a substance abuse social workers involvement in the healing process. Professionals practicing in this field have to incorporate such issues as cultural, social and economic barriers when creating a recovery program.

Substance abuse social workers use their experience and knowledge to provide opportunity for people to change and regain control of their lives. As a result, growth in this career is undeniable as people realize that they or their family member is not lost and the option of change is real.

Degree Programs in Substance Abuse Counseling and Social Work

Bachelor or Arts in Psychology – Substance Abuse Argosy University Online
Bachelor of Science in Psychology – Substace Abuse Kaplan University

A degree relating to substance abuse can lead to a number of careers. If you plan to be more on the counseling, intervention and consolation side of substance abuse, you might choose to earn a counseling degree. If you want to enforce drug laws from a well-informed perspective, you might earn a criminal justice degree with a concentration in substance abuse.

If a career as a substance abuse social worker sounds appealing to you, then you must have a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) for entry into this field. It’s good to note that many employers prefer a master’s degree in social work (MSW) or higher (doctorate in social work DSW) for top positionss.

There are 458 accredited bachelor’s programs, 181 master’s programs, and 74 doctoral programs in the USA. All these programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Upon graduation from an accredited university with a degree in substance abuse counseling, you will be equipped to take a state exam for licensure in the field in whatever state you decide to practice. In addition to a bachelor’s, master or doctorate in social work all states require certification, registration or licensure to practice in any area of social work.

Requirements and Standards for Substance Abuse Social Worker

It is good to note that all states have different requirements and standards. For instance, in the state of Illinois eligible applicants are required to pass the LSW (Licensed Social Worker) or LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) test administered by the ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards) prior to filing a license application with the IDFPR (Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation).