Is becoming a substance abuse social worker right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
Still unsure if becoming a substance abuse social worker is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become a substance abuse social worker or another similar career!
Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.
How to become a Substance Abuse Social Worker
A bachelor's degree is required to become a substance abuse social worker. This should be in social work, but it may be possible to obtain an entry-level job with a degree in sociology or psychology. Many jobs require an advanced degree such as a master's degree in social work. A doctorate in social work would be necessary to teach at a university, or conduct research.
In the United States, every state requires social workers to be certified in some way. Most states require two years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.
A substance abuse social worker must understand the principles and methods of diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. They must understand human behaviour, personality, interests, research methods, individual differences in ability, and learning and motivation. Substance abuse social workers would have to increase their knowledge by reading literature, undertaking research, and attending seminars, workshops, or classes.