What Is Required to Work at an Addiction Recovery Center?
Question by Avynya: What is required to work at an addiction recovery center?
I’ve been looking into a career of working in addiction recovery centers, and was wondering if anyone could provide any advice towards that goal. I will soon be registering to begin a BoA in Psychology, but I was curious what other education is needed. Is it necessary for me to also complete an LPN course or something similar? Also, if anyone has personal experience from working in addiction recovery centers, could you provide me some insight into what the average day consists of?
Best answer:
Answer by Charles
a A>A or a B.A degree in Psychology, drug Addiction counseling, or Depression
at least 3 years experience in a drug center or a drug counseling forum
Answer by wanderlust2480
I am assuming you mean that you want to be a counselor, so my answer is based on that assumption.
It depends A LOT on what level of treatment the center provides. Do you need an LPN? No, but in these days, having that also would be a major bonus! Even more so, an RN. You’d be highly employable. Get your bachelor’s in psychology or social work (or double major, or minor in one, whatever). That will qualify you for some jobs. If you want to have a little more clout, or at least employability, then consider getting the credential offered in your state. In NY, it’s known as the CASAC (credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor). You can get that, usually, in a few different ways. Seriously consider getting your masters or seriously reconsider getting in to the field. Of course, with the master’s level comes a CRAZY amount of student debt, it may just NOT be worth it anymore. The addictions field is notoriously low paying, even worse than social work/therapy at a public agency. I’d say that if you had any interest in nursing, do that and get the credential and/or schooling to go along with it, rather than getting the schooling and then possibly the nursing. At the VERY LEAST, I’d advise using your electives, if you can, for courses that are pre-requisites for the nursing program, that way you kill two birds with one stone. But all of this is just my opinion. Maybe you can volunteer at different levels of treatment in the addictions field or otherwise get your foot in the door to see it for yourself.
Addiction & Recovery: Pursuing Personal Goals — Geoff Thompson, Program Director for Sunshine Coast Health Centre, discusses why pursuing personal goals may not always result in happiness. The key may be t…
More Addiction Recovery Goals Information…