Substance Abuse Social Worker

Millions of Americans struggle daily with drug and alcohol dependency. This is not a new phenomenon. Social workers have assisted drug addicts and alcoholics since the early 1900’s. It hasn’t been until recent years that some social workers began working exclusively with addicts.

When treating addicts, substance abuse social workers spend a lot of time discussing underlying causes that trigger substance abuse. Many people are genetically predisposed to abuse drugs and alcohol, or they abuse these substances to cope with anxiety, stress, and other problems.

Substance abuse social workers interview clients to determine links between substance abuse and mental health problems. More than half of individuals diagnosed with mental health disorders abuse drugs or alcohol. They typically abuse substances to escape and cope. Trained social workers have the ability to determine whether a patient’s substance abuse is linked to mental health disorders or self-medication.

Substance abuse social workers spend a lot of time organizing interventions with family members concerned about a loved one’s addiction. If an intervention is successful, it’s very important a social worker develops trust with a patient since this is often the first step towards recovery. When designing a recovery program, it’s important for social workers to consider economic, social, and cultural factors.

Social workers have helped numerous addicts gain control of their lives. Since it’s possible for drug addicts and alcoholics to change, more people interested in helping others are currently being drawn to this profession. If you’re interested in helping drug addicts and alcoholics begin the road to recovery, take time to learn more about the benefits of a career in substance abuse social work.

Psychology Degree Search
	Search psychology degrees and programs.
Your Zip Code:

Psychology Careers
- Psychology Specialities - Air Force Psychologist Army Psychologist Child Psychologist Clinical Psychologist Cognitive Psychologist Consumer Psychologist Counseling Psychologist Developmental Psychologist Educational Psychologist Engineering Psychologist Experimental Psychologist Forensic Psychologist Geropsychologist Health Psychologist Industrial-Organizational Psychologist Media Psychologist Military Psychologist Navy Clinical Psychologist Navy Research Psychologist Neuropsychologist Psychotherapist Rehabilitation Psychologist School Psychologist Social Psychologist Sports Psychologist - Counseling Specialities - Career Counselor Child Counselor Child Abuse Counselor Community Counselor Domestic Violence Counselor Gerontological Counselor Licensed Professional Counselor Marriage and Family Counselor Mental Health Counselor Military Chaplain Military Counselor Multicultural Counselor Rehabilitation Counselor Substance Abuse Counselor Veterans Counselor Victims' Advocate - Social Work Specialities - Army Mental Health Specialist Child Welfare Social Worker Clinical Social Worker Disability Policy Worker Disability Case Manager Geriatric Social Worker Medical Social Worker Mental Health Social Worker Public Health Social Worker Substance Abuse Social Worker - Therapy Specialities - Art Therapist Exercise Therapist Existential Therapist Marriage and Family Therapist Music Therapist Primary Therapist

Career Spotlight

	Industrial-Organizational Psychologist Organizational psychologists, often referred to as Industrial-Organizational Psychologists or I-O Psychologists, are some of the highest paid psychology professionals in the world. I-O psychologists develop techniques meant to enhance productivity, assist managers assigning employees to project groups, and improve product testing methods for private corporations and government agencies. learn more...

Licensure Requirements

	Psychologists
	Counselors
	Social Workers
	Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT)