I want to become a substance abuse counselor.?

Question by courtney.: I want to become a substance abuse counselor.?
Okay. So, I would really like to become a substance abuse counselor. I’ve watched my grandparents whom I am very close to divorce because my grandfather was an abusive drunk. I loved him dearly when he didn’t drink. He was my best friend. Then he started to take medication with alcohol and died of a heart attack. I know that I haven’t personally experienced addiction but I can understand and sympathize with some aspects. My friend Sarah says that usually former addicts make the best substance abuse counselors. And I’ve been doubting myself ever since. Do you think I could still make a good one even though I’ve never personally experienced addiction?

Best answer:

Answer by miki
you don’t have to be a former addict to be a good substance abuse counselor, just like you don’t need to have had a mental illness to be a psychiatrist. that’s what school is for. and you have personal experiences that will help you be passionate about it. go for it if that is what you want to do! i have met some very good SA counselors who aren’t former addicts. many of them had family experiences like you. go to a good college and get your masters and get certified and licensed in addiction. and don’t fall for any of those ads that say you can be a “substance abuse counselor” with just a high school diploma. they are usually either terrible places to work, or they are advertising a staff position where you are a “staff counselor” who takes ppl to appts, gives them their meds, etc. an important job, but not what they make it sound like.

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