What is Substance Abuse Counseling?
Addiction counselors work to help people struggling with alcoholism, drug addictions, and all of the symptoms associated with these conditions. While they provide a wide variety of services, one of their primary responsibilities is assisting their patients in managing the physical and psychological difficulties that often accompany addictions. These professionals also serve as advocates, promoting the understanding of addiction as a real and difficult medical condition. They frequently work with patients one-on-one, but may offer group sessions as well. It’s not uncommon for these professionals to have patients from a wide variety of demographics including teenagers, adults, veterans, and people with disabilities. It is possible, though, to specialize in the treatment of a specific population type.
While addiction counselors often help their patients with mental and physical health issues, they are not permitted to prescribe medications. They can, however, make referrals to medical practitioners based on their assessments. In fact, they frequently coordinate with other medical and mental health professionals when developing and managing patient treatment plans. As a result, these professionals tend to have many established relationships with other healthcare providers.
Jobs can differ significantly, with those who own private practices establishing their own expectations. In general, the most common responsibilities include evaluating clients and assessing readiness for treatment, developing and reviewing treatment plans and goals, and assisting in skills and behavior development. Some addiction counselors also schedule appointments with the family members of patients. Meetings like this are typically meant to provide addiction education or to assist in the development of various coping strategies.
There are numerous employment opportunities available to addiction counselors but the majority of professionals in this field work in individual and family service centers, hospitals, or residential substance abuse facilities. While the work can be extremely rewarding, it’s also often stressful and demanding. Large workloads may lead to evening, night, and weekend hours.
Top Ranked Campus & Online Addiction Counseling Programs in Kansas
Kansas State University
Score: 82.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,942
- Out-of-State:$27,816
- Net Price: $18,855
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 19,722
- Undergrad Students: 15,046
- Graduate Students: 4,676
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Newman University
Score: 78.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,500
- Out-of-State:$35,500
- Net Price: $18,792
- Acceptance Rate: 51%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 2,848
- Undergrad Students: 2,444
- Graduate Students: 404
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Washburn University
Score: 78.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,578
- Out-of-State:$20,582
- Net Price: $12,473
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 5,460
- Undergrad Students: 4,733
- Graduate Students: 727
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Wichita State University
Score: 78.35
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,322
- Out-of-State:$19,240
- Net Price: $13,553
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 16,216
- Undergrad Students: 12,049
- Graduate Students: 4,167
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Fort Hays State University
Score: 76.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,633
- Out-of-State:$16,811
- Net Price: $13,322
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 12,949
- Undergrad Students: 10,427
- Graduate Students: 2,522
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Emporia State University
Score: 74.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,356
- Out-of-State:$15,669
- Net Price: $14,854
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 5,324
- Undergrad Students: 2,740
- Graduate Students: 2,584
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Ottawa University-Ottawa
Score: 59.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,300
- Out-of-State:$35,300
- Net Price: $26,872
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 28%
- Total Enrollment: 953
- Undergrad Students: 853
- Graduate Students: 100
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Score: 53.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,420
- Out-of-State:$6,720
- Net Price: $10,591
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 48%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 4,676
- Undergrad Students: 4,676
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $38,200
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Allen Community College
Score: 53.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,200
- Out-of-State:$4,480
- Net Price: $9,225
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 51%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 2,007
- Undergrad Students: 2,007
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $36,300
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Ottawa University-Online
Score: 39.59
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,976
- Out-of-State:$11,976
- Net Price: N/A
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- Total Enrollment: 224
- Undergrad Students: 172
- Graduate Students: 52
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 2:1
