Substance Abuse Counselor Resume examples & templates
Copyable Substance Abuse Counselor Resume examples
Substance Abuse Counselors stand on the front lines of America's ongoing addiction crisis, offering lifelines to those drowning in the depths of dependency. Every day, these professionals witness both heartbreaking setbacks and transformative breakthroughs—sometimes within the same hour. The work demands extraordinary emotional resilience, but few careers offer such tangible evidence that you've changed someone's life trajectory. With substance use disorders affecting roughly 20.4 million Americans in 2019 (that's nearly 1 in 13 people aged 12 or older), the need for qualified counselors continues to grow, especially as the fentanyl epidemic reshapes treatment approaches.
The field has evolved considerably in recent years, moving away from confrontational approaches toward evidence-based modalities like Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Many counselors now incorporate trauma-informed care principles, recognizing that about 75% of addiction clients have histories of significant trauma. And while the work remains challenging (burnout rates hover around 30-40%), increased telehealth options are opening new possibilities for both practitioners and clients. As society gradually shifts toward viewing addiction as a health condition rather than a moral failing, Substance Abuse Counselors will play an increasingly vital role in reshaping how we understand and address this complex human struggle.
Junior Substance Abuse Counselor Resume Example
MICHAEL TORRES
Chicago, IL | (312) 555-8734 | mtorres.counselor@email.com | linkedin.com/in/michaeltorres
Recent CADC graduate with 1+ year of counseling experience through internships and entry-level positions. Skilled in motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy approaches. Committed to supporting clients through recovery with empathy and evidence-based strategies. Fluent in Spanish with experience working in diverse community settings.
EXPERIENCE
Substance Abuse Counselor (Part-Time) – Lakeside Recovery Center, Chicago, IL | January 2023 – Present
- Conduct initial assessments and intake interviews for 7-10 new clients weekly, documenting substance use history and co-occurring disorders
- Co-facilitate 3 weekly group therapy sessions focused on relapse prevention and life skills for clients in early recovery
- Maintain accurate clinical documentation for 15+ clients, including treatment plans and progress notes
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care approach and appropriate referrals
- Developed resource handout used by 100+ clients that improved follow-through on community referrals by 27%
Counseling Intern – Westside Community Health Center, Chicago, IL | May 2022 – December 2022
- Assisted licensed counselors with intake assessments and treatment planning for diverse clientele
- Observed and gradually co-led group therapy sessions for clients with substance use disorders
- Provided bilingual (English/Spanish) support services to 25+ clients and their families
- Participated in weekly supervision to develop clinical skills and case conceptualization abilities
Peer Recovery Support Specialist – Hope House Transitional Living, Chicago, IL | June 2021 – April 2022
- Supported residents in early recovery by modeling healthy coping strategies and sober living skills
- Connected clients with community resources including job placement, healthcare, and education
- Monitored residents’ compliance with program rules and random drug testing procedures
- Participated in staff meetings to provide input on residents’ progress and challenges
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
Bachelor of Science in Psychology – University of Illinois Chicago | May 2022
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) – Illinois Certification Board | August 2022
Mental Health First Aid Certification – National Council for Mental Wellbeing | March 2023
Motivational Interviewing Foundations – 16-hour training program | October 2022
SKILLS
- Individual counseling
- Group facilitation
- Crisis intervention
- Motivational interviewing
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Treatment planning
- Clinical documentation
- Case management
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- HIPAA compliance
- EHR systems (Cerner, TheraNest)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), Student Member
Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA), Member
Mid-level Substance Abuse Counselor Resume Example
MARCUS JOHNSON
Portland, OR • (503) 555-8721 • mjohnson.counselor@email.com • linkedin.com/in/marcusjohnson
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor with 5+ years helping clients overcome addiction challenges through evidence-based treatment approaches. Experienced in both individual and group therapy settings with expertise in motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy. Known for building strong rapport with diverse client populations while maintaining appropriate boundaries. Seeking to leverage my clinical skills and compassionate approach at a treatment center focused on holistic recovery.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Substance Abuse Counselor | Evergreen Recovery Center | Portland, OR | June 2021 – Present
- Manage caseload of 23 clients in intensive outpatient program, conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and facilitating recovery
- Lead 3 weekly group therapy sessions focusing on relapse prevention and coping skills development
- Coordinate with psychiatrists, social workers, and family members to create comprehensive support networks
- Implemented new intake protocol that reduced documentation time by 37% while improving data collection
- Mentor 2 junior counselors through weekly supervision meetings and case consultations
Substance Abuse Counselor | Portland Community Health | Portland, OR | August 2019 – May 2021
- Provided counseling services to adults struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions
- Conducted biopsychosocial assessments and developed individualized treatment plans for diverse client population
- Co-facilitated weekly recovery groups for clients in various stages of recovery
- Collaborated with community resources to address clients’ housing, employment, and legal needs
- Maintained detailed case notes and treatment documentation in compliance with HIPAA regulations
Counseling Intern | Cedar Hills Hospital | Beaverton, OR | January 2019 – July 2019
- Assisted licensed counselors with intake assessments and treatment planning
- Observed and co-facilitated group therapy sessions in residential treatment setting
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss client progress
- Developed resource guide for clients transitioning from inpatient to outpatient care
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology | Portland State University | 2018
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | University of Oregon | 2016
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC II) | Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors | 2020
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) | Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors | 2021
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Motivational Interviewing Advanced Training (2022)
Trauma-Informed Care Certificate (2021)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training (2020)
SKILLS
- Individual & group counseling
- Crisis intervention
- Motivational interviewing
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Treatment planning
- Biopsychosocial assessments
- Case management
- Relapse prevention strategies
- Co-occurring disorders treatment
- Electronic health records (Cerner)
- ASAM placement criteria
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Volunteer Counselor, Portland Homeless Outreach Program (5-10 hours monthly)
Member, National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors
Fluent in Spanish (conversational)
Senior / Experienced Substance Abuse Counselor Resume Example
Monica R. Westfield
Portland, OR 97214 • (503) 555-8241 • monica.westfield@email.com
linkedin.com/in/monicawestfield • Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC)
Compassionate substance abuse counselor with 9+ years helping individuals overcome addiction challenges. Skilled in motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care with proven
success managing high-risk caseloads. Developed and implemented specialized group therapy programs that increased client retention by 37%. Committed to creating supportive environments where clients feel empowered to pursue lasting recovery.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lead Substance Abuse Counselor • New Horizons Recovery Center • Portland, OR • 06/2019 – Present
- Supervise team of 6 counselors while managing personal caseload of 18-22 clients with varying substance use disorders
- Redesigned intake assessment process, reducing initial paperwork completion time from 2 hours to 47 minutes while improving data collection accuracy
- Created and facilitate weekly “Recovery Paths” group therapy sessions for dual-diagnosis clients, resulting in 43% decrease in early program termination
- Collaborate with psychiatrists, social workers, and community resources to develop comprehensive treatment plans that address co-occurring disorders
- Mentor 3 new counselors annually through structured orientation program I developed that reduces onboarding time by 35%
Substance Abuse Counselor • Riverview Behavioral Health • Eugene, OR • 08/2016 – 05/2019
- Conducted individual and group counseling sessions for 25+ residential treatment clients weekly
- Implemented evidence-based therapeutic modalities including CBT, DBT and motivational interviewing techniques
- Developed personalized aftercare plans that improved 6-month sobriety rates by 28% compared to facility average
- Managed crisis interventions and de-escalation for clients experiencing withdrawal, emotional distress, or relapse triggers
- Facilitated family therapy sessions to repair relationships damaged by addiction and establish healthy support systems
Substance Abuse Counselor (Intern → Full-time) • County Mental Health Services • Salem, OR • 05/2014 – 07/2016
- Started as intern while completing CADC certification, promoted to full-time counselor after 9 months
- Provided outpatient counseling services for court-mandated and voluntary clients in county-funded program
- Co-facilitated DUI education program for 150+ participants annually with 92% completion rate
- Maintained detailed client records and treatment notes in compliance with HIPAA regulations
- Participated in weekly clinical supervision and case management meetings to ensure quality care
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Master of Social Work (MSW) • Portland State University • Portland, OR • 2016
Concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment
Bachelor of Psychology • University of Oregon • Eugene, OR • 2013
Minor in Sociology, Dean’s List (5 semesters)
Certifications:
- Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) • Oregon Health Authority • 2018
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC II) • 2015
- Trauma-Informed Care Specialist Certification • 2017
- Motivational Interviewing Practitioner • 2016
- QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper • 2019, renewed 2022
SKILLS
- Individual & group counseling
- Substance use disorder assessment
- Crisis intervention & management
- Motivational interviewing
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Treatment planning & case management
- Electronic health records (Cerner, Epic)
- ASAM placement criteria
- Family systems therapy
- Relapse prevention strategies
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) • Member since 2015
- Oregon Association of Addiction Professionals • Member since 2016
- Addiction Professional Mentorship Network • Volunteer Mentor • 2020-Present
How to Write a Substance Abuse Counselor Resume
Introduction
Working as a substance abuse counselor is demanding but incredibly fulfilling work. Whether you're just starting your career or you've been in the field for years, your resume needs to showcase both your clinical expertise and your compassion. I've reviewed thousands of counselor resumes, and the ones that stand out always balance professional qualifications with a genuine commitment to client recovery. Let's break down exactly what makes a substance abuse counselor resume effective in today's competitive job market.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and readable - most hiring managers at treatment centers spend less than 30 seconds on initial resume reviews. Aim for 1-2 pages max (one page for those with under 5 years experience).
- Use a standard, professional font like Calibri or Arial (11-12pt)
- Include clear section headings with plenty of white space
- Save as a PDF (unless specifically asked for a Word doc)
- Name your file professionally: "FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf"
- Skip the objective statement - it's outdated and takes up valuable space
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a strong professional summary that highlights your counseling approach and specialties. This is your 15-second pitch to grab attention! Keep it to 3-5 lines and focus on what makes you effective working with substance use disorders.
Write your summary LAST, after completing the rest of your resume. This makes it much easier to pull out your most impressive qualifications and condense them into a powerful opening statement.
Professional Experience
This is where most treatment centers focus their attention. For each position, include:
- Facility name, location, your title, and dates (month/year)
- Client population details (ages, substances, dual diagnoses)
- Treatment modalities you've used (CBT, MI, DBT, etc.)
- Specific achievements with numbers when possible (maintained 87% completion rate for IOP participants)
- Any experience with group facilitation or specialized programs
Did you help implement a new intake process? Mention it! Reduce readmission rates? Definitely include that. Focus on outcomes, not just duties.
Education and Certifications
This field is heavily credential-based, so make this section shine. List all relevant certifications with their expiration dates - this saves HR time verifying your qualifications.
- Degrees (most recent first)
- CADC, LADC, or other state counselor certifications
- NCAC I/II or MAC national certifications
- Specialized training (EMDR, Seeking Safety, CRAFT, etc.)
- CPR/First Aid certification
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many treatment centers and hospitals use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. To get past these digital gatekeepers:
- Include keywords from the job description (assessment, treatment planning, crisis intervention)
- Spell out acronyms at least once (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT))
- List EHR/EMR systems you've used (Kipu, Procentive, Credible)
- Mention specific documentation experience (ASAM criteria, treatment plans, discharge summaries)
Industry-specific Terms
Sprinkle these throughout your resume to signal your familiarity with the field:
- Motivational Interviewing
- ASAM criteria
- Relapse prevention
- Harm reduction
- Co-occurring disorders
- Recovery-oriented care
- Trauma-informed approach
Common Mistakes
After reviewing countless substance abuse counselor resumes, here are the pitfalls I see most often:
- Being too vague about your clinical skills (what specific modalities do you use?)
- Focusing on job duties rather than accomplishments
- Forgetting to mention experience with specific substances or populations
- Listing all trainings equally (focus on the ones relevant to the position)
- Including personal recovery stories (save this for interviews if appropriate)
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for counseling clients and running groups."
After: "Facilitated twice-weekly process groups for 12 men in residential treatment, specializing in meth addiction and co-occurring anxiety disorders. Implemented new journaling protocol that improved 60-day retention by 23%."
Remember - your resume should tell the story of not just what you've done, but the difference you've made in clients' lives. Good luck with your application, and thank you for the important work you do!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Substance Abuse Counselor resume
- Active listening with an empathetic approach (developed through 250+ client sessions annually)
- Crisis de-escalation and emotional regulation coaching
- Cross-functional collaboration with healthcare providers, social workers, and family members
- Adaptability in treatment approaches based on client-specific needs and backgrounds
- Boundary-setting while maintaining therapeutic rapport
- Cultural sensitivity when addressing substance use across diverse populations
Hard skills for your Substance Abuse Counselor resume
- CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) certification
- Proficiency in Therascribe EHR documentation system
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) technique application
- Treatment planning using ASAM criteria
- HIPAA compliance documentation
- Relapse prevention using Gorski-CENAPS model
- Crisis de-escalation training (CPI certified)
- DSM-5 substance use disorder diagnostic assessment
- Case management using ServicePoint database