This career is expected to grow 21 percent—much faster than average—through 2018.

As society becomes more knowledgeable about addiction, it is increasingly common for people to seek treatment. Drug offenders are increasingly being sent to treatment programs rather than jail.

Opportunities are very good in substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling because relatively low wages and long hours make recruiting new entrants difficult.

In 2008, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors earned an average salary of $37,030. The middle 50 percent earned $29,410 to $47,290. The highest 10 percent earned more than $59,460. Among industries, insurance carriers and elementary and secondary schools paid the highest salaries to these counselors. Self-employed, private-practice counselors fared the best.

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors help people who have problems with alcohol, drugs, gambling and eating disorders. They counsel individuals who are addicted to drugs, helping them to identify behaviors and problems related to their addiction. Counseling can be done on an individual basis, but is frequently done in a group setting. These counselors will often also work with family members who are affected by the addictions of their loved ones. Counselors also conduct programs aimed at preventing addictions.

Counselors may work in a private practice, community health organization or hospital. Many counselors work in an office where they see clients throughout the day. Because privacy is essential for confidential and frank discussions with clients, counselors usually have private offices.

For most licensed counselors in most states, a master’s degree is required. In some states, however, substance abuse counselors may only need a high school diploma and some college-level courses specific to drug counseling to begin work.

In New York, for example, limited formal education is required to specialize in drug and addiction counseling. New York requires only 350 clock hours of education in chemical dependency counseling. With that little education you must, however, complete a minimum of 6,000 hours (approximately three years) of supervised, full-time counseling experience in an approved work setting. A bachelor's degree with an approved human services major from an accredited college may be substituted for 2,000 hours of the 6,000 hour work experience. A master's (or higher) degree in human services from an accredited college may be substituted for the remaining 4,000 hours of work experience.

Licensing: Substance abuse and behavior disorder counselors are generally governed by a different state agency or board than other counselors. Criteria for licensure will vary greatly.

Entering the Field: Investigate the requirements for licensure for substance and/or behavioral disorder counseling in your state. Begin by taking the minimum education required to get your foot in the door to work as a drug or addiction counselor.

Several online colleges offer associate and bachelor's degrees in human services with specialties in psychology. Certificates that focus only on the psychology of addiction also are available. Make sure any online course of study you take will satisfy your state’s specific licensing requirements.

Career Changers: Because many states have low educational barriers to entering this area of counseling, it is a logical leap for any career changer interested in counseling. This is one area of counseling where you may be able to enter and establish yourself fairly quickly. Once employed as a drug counselor, you may choose to work toward an advanced counseling degree.