How to Work in Drug Rehab

Last Updated: February 9, 2023 References

Working in drug rehabilitation can be a rewarding career for someone with patience and empathy. If you're interested in working in drug rehabilitation, there are a wide variety of educational pathways and careers to choose from that will help you land a job.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Exploring Education Pathways

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Think about pursuing a certification program. For some jobs in drug rehabilitation, you may only need to earn a certification. You can also pursue certification after receiving other degrees if you want to work in drug rehabilitation.^{[1]
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- Required certifications vary between states and countries , so double check what you need through your area's Department of Alcohol and Drugs Services.^{[2]
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  Tiffany Douglass, MA
  Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist
  Expert Interview. 10 May 2020.}
- A substance abuse counselor is one of the most common jobs in drug rehabilitation. While requirements vary, some centers only require a baseline degree with a special certification.
- If you're interested in the medical side of drug rehabilitation, a nursing aid or psychiatrist aid usually only requires a certificate.^{[3]
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Look into associate's degrees. If you don't want to get a four-year degree to launch your career in drug rehabilitation, look into associate's degrees. Associate's degrees can usually be obtained in two years or less and are required for certain jobs in a drug rehabilitation center.^{[4]
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- If you're interested in becoming a nurse, an associate's degree in nursing is usually required. If you want to specialize in drug rehabilitation, then you might consider volunteering while pursuing your degree to gain some experience.
- If you want to work an administrative position, doing things like managing people's files, look into an associate's in Health Information Management.
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3
Get a bachelor's degree in a related field. Psychology is a great field to study if you want to work in drug rehabilitation. Not only can it help you land a job after graduation, it gives the foundational education you need if you ever decide to pursue a master's degree. You can also see if there are any programs in your school that offer degrees in mental health treatment.^{[5]
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- Keep in mind that you will likely need to pursue some special certification or training in drug rehabilitation to get a job in this field.
- However, not all jobs in drug rehabilitation require a background in psychology. If you're interested in an administrative position, look into degrees in health information management.^{[6]
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Broaden your options with higher degrees. If you're working as a counselor, addictions counselors who pursue master's degrees are generally eligible for more positions.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Tiffany Douglass, MA
Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist
Expert Interview. 10 May 2020.} If you work in drug rehabilitation for a few years, and are interested in pursuing higher up jobs, look into going back to school and getting a master's in something like counseling or psychology.^{[8]
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- Look for master's programs specifically designed to train people to work with people dealing with addiction.
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Get a license if necessary. Some states require you be licensed for certain jobs. Nurses need licenses and some states require that addictions counselors be licensed. Review regulations in your state to see if you need a license before you begin the job hunt.^{[9]
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- The National Board for Certified Counselors provides information by state about licensing requirements. Licensing usually requires a master's degree and roughly 2,000 to 3,000 hours of clinical experience.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting a Job Related to Drug Rehabilitation

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Look for jobs in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and counseling clinics. If you want to work in rehabilitation, look for job postings at local hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and counseling clinics. Look for jobs related to working with those recovering from addiction that match your skill set.^{[10]
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- You may not land a job in a rehabilitation center right away, but general experience is also important. For example, if you're a registered nurse, working in a hospital—especially in the emergency department or in an outpatient setting—for a few years can help build your resume. You will encounter addiction in these environments. Eventually, you can find a job working as a nurse in a rehabilitation center.
- Since drug rehabilitation centers are often understaffed, you may also be given a trial period of 30 to 60 days. This will be good for your employer and it will also give you an opportunity to determine if this is the field that you really want to work in.
- You may also consider applying to work at a prison to get experience with people dealing with addiction.
2
Ask people you know professionally for leads. Go back to anyone you met during your education and ask them for leads. Talk to former classmates, professors, supervisors, or employers. Most jobs are found via networking, so if anyone can find you an in somewhere, that's great.^{[11]
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- For example, if you interned at a rehabilitation center while getting your associate's degree, ask your supervisor if any full-time positions have opened up.
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Use the internet to your advantage. Keep your eye on relevant job posting sites to see if you qualify for any positions. You can also join Facebook groups related to professional counselors or nurses and watch for job leads. Maintain a LinkedIn profile and connect with recruiters and others in your field.^{[12]
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Write a resume tailored to a rehabilitation job. A solid resume is an invaluable tool for any job hunt. Write a resume in legible font that includes basic contact information (your full name, email, etc.).^{[13]
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- For example, if you're applying to a nursing position, include all your specific nursing training and certifications as well as any jobs or internships from hospitals.
- Include volunteer work related to drug rehabilitation. For example, if you interned at a crisis call center, this is something great to include.
- Leave out jobs that were completely unrelated to your chosen field. Working in a movie theater over one summer, for example, is probably not relevant to working in a drug rehabilitation center.
- Also, make sure to include an introduction that explains why you want to work in drug rehabilitation. For example, you might have an interest in the field because of a family member who struggled with addiction.
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Work on your interview skills. Before going into an interview, always closely review the company's policies and culture. Make sure to dress in formal attire, such as a suit or a skirt and blouse, and stand up straight and maintain eye contact. Practice your answers to common questions before going into the interview.
- Also, always ask interesting questions at the end of the interview other than, "When will I hear back?" Try something like, "What's your company's culture like?" or “Is there anything else you would like to know about me?”
- Make sure to let the interviewer know you are still interested as well. For example, you might say, “After hearing about the position, I am still very interested.” Or, “It sounds like a new and challenging role that I would look forward to working in.”

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Meeting the Challenges of the Career

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Stay strong despite failures.^{[14]
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Tiffany Douglass, MA
Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist
Expert Interview. 10 May 2020.} Setbacks are common when dealing with addiction. Clients may become suddenly withdrawn when you're on the verge of a breakthrough. They may have relapses after rehabilitation. To deal with failures, remind yourself the most you can do is give your best every day. On average, people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol return to rehabilitation 4 times before they make a change. Expect this type of pattern and some failures as well, and keep in mind that it is a good thing if someone fails and then returns to rehabilitation.
- Relapse rates for addiction are between 40 or 60%, so a client relapse is not a reflection of your work. It also does not mean the situation is hopeless. Many clients need repeated stays at rehabilitation to eventually get clean long term. Addiction treatment is an ongoing process.^{[15]
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Be committed to your clients. Helping people through addiction is exceedingly difficult. If you want to make it long term, you need to be as committed to your clients as possible. Learn to have patience and empathize with your clients.
- Put yourself in other people's shoes frequently. Think about how they're making radical changes and going through physical symptoms like withdrawal. If patients are being difficult or withdrawn, this is understandable given the circumstances.
- Give your patients credit. Committing to tackling an addiction is a tremendous responsibility that takes courage. Reminding yourself of your patient's resilience can help when you feel frustrated.
- Remember that it is important to do things slowly and take baby steps. Take things one day at a time, and encourage your patients to do the same. For example, if your patient seems unwilling to talk, then let them know that you would like to talk to them, but that you will come back later if they need some time to think.
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Leave your job at the office. It's important for you to recharge as an addictions counselor. At the end of the day, when you come home, try to leave work behind. It's easy to worry about high risk clients and any mistakes you made, but try to stay in the present and leave work at work.
- Try changing out of your work clothes right when you get home. You can also listen to music in your car on the way home, and make sure to plan fun things to do for after you get off of work.
- If you find your mind wandering to work when you're at home, take note of your surroundings. Observe basic sensations and the pattern of your breath to stay grounded.
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Focus on the good you're doing. While the job is challenging, most people who work in drug rehabilitation find the work rewarding. If you feel burnt out, think about all the people you've helped over the year. Reflect on positive experiences you've had in the field to help yourself recharge.
- If you are feeling burnt out, then let your supervisor know and arrange to take a few days off of work to do whatever you want. There is a high turnover rate in this profession, so it is important to recognize when you need a break and be honest with your supervisor. Doing this from time to time will help to ensure that you can maintain your career for the long term and do your job as effectively as possible.

Expert Q&A

Question

What degree do you need for addiction counseling?

Tiffany Douglass, MA
Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center
Tiffany Douglass is the Founder of Wellness Retreat Recovery Center, a JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) accredited drug and alcohol treatment program based in San Jose, California. She is also the Executive Director for Midland Tennessee at JourneyPure. She has over ten years of experience in substance abuse treatment and was appointed a Global Goodwill Ambassador in 2019 for her efforts in residential addiction treatment. Tiffany earned a BA in Psychology from Emory University in 2004 and an MA in Psychology with an emphasis on Organization Behavior and Program Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University in 2006.

Tiffany Douglass, MA

Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center

Expert Answer

The requirements for becoming an addiction counselor vary depending on where you live, so check with your state's Department of Alcohol and Drug Services. In some places, you might need to complete a certification program, while in others, you might need a bachelor's or master's degree in addiction counseling.
Question

What certifications do I need to work in drug rehabilitation?

Tiffany Douglass, MA
Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center
Tiffany Douglass is the Founder of Wellness Retreat Recovery Center, a JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) accredited drug and alcohol treatment program based in San Jose, California. She is also the Executive Director for Midland Tennessee at JourneyPure. She has over ten years of experience in substance abuse treatment and was appointed a Global Goodwill Ambassador in 2019 for her efforts in residential addiction treatment. Tiffany earned a BA in Psychology from Emory University in 2004 and an MA in Psychology with an emphasis on Organization Behavior and Program Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University in 2006.

Tiffany Douglass, MA

Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center

Expert Answer

Certifications depend on where you live, so it will vary. Reach out to your area's Alcohol and Drug Services office to see what they require.