1 in 5 teenagers struggles with a mental disorder. Who better to help these teens than people who have had personal experience with mental illness? Having a job as a peer specialist is rewarding. Keep reading to learn about peer specialist jobs and opportunities. Useful Definitions “Peer” can have different meanings depending on the context....
Every year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) celebrates Recovery Month. September 2019 is the 30th annual Recovery Month, and this year’s theme is Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger. This year’s theme is about recognizing the way mental health and substance abuse disorders touch all our lives, promoting...
As of December 2024, approximately 48 million Americans battle a drug or alcohol addiction (Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, December 2024). This growing need for support is likely one reason the job outlook for addiction counselors is projected to grow by 23% over the next decade—much faster than the national average (Source:...
In 2017, nearly 20 million adults across America suffered from substance addiction. And 38% of American adults found themselves abusing illegal drugs. Drug and alcohol addiction has devastating consequences on the lives of addicts and their loved ones. These types of addictions can damage their health, finances, and emotional well-being. But breaking out of addiction...
Recovering from addiction–or counseling someone through the recovery process–is a remarkably difficult undertaking. You have to know when to be firm and when to give someone the independence to take control of their own life. A key factor in determining healthy independence is self-care. Or rather, how much someone in recovery is willing to commit...
You’ve reached a new chapter in your life where you’re now considering a new career path. Whether you just recently graduated from high school, or are just looking for a new path in life, you’ve been considering becoming an addict counselor. Maybe you’ve suffered from addiction yourself or have seen ones you love suffer from...
The National Institution of Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that alcohol and drug abuse-related crimes, injuries, and lost work productivity cost the US $740 billion every year. But the drug addiction epidemic in the US has done more than rack up a hefty bill. Each year, families and friends lose loved ones to overdose. And thousands of...
Addiction is an awful thing for anyone to go through. Drug and addiction counselors serve as a critical part of an addict’s recovery journey. Counselors support the treatment plans, help addicts through the struggle, and provide guidance during the difficult times. While many who have completed the required training and certification as applicable may be...
Only the most passionate people can make a career of helping others in times of need, especially when drugs or alcohol are involved. According to the BLS, as of April 2019, Over the next five years, there will be jobs for more than 320,000 positions for alcohol and drug counselors in the United States. These...
Addiction is a deep-rooted disease. Drug and alcohol addicts suffer from more than just the effects of substance abuse. Their issues are psychological, usually resulting from a mental disorder or even from an event in their past. This is why addicts need professional psychological help during the recovery process. Addiction counselors aid an addict in...