Alcohol and drug abuse creates need for counselors
CALIMESA - The job market might be tight in some occupations, but that's not the case for certified drug and alcohol counselors said Dr. Mike Belzman.
The U.S. Department of Justice seems to support Belzman's contention that the need for counselors - at least in the near future - will continue to rise.
A Justice Dept. survey done in 2007 reveals that 44.4% of high school seniors will use alcohol in any 30-day period. And the figure jumps to over 66% in any 12-month period.
Factoring in the use of illegal drugs and the rising abuse of prescription drugs, and it becomes clear that more counselors will be needed to aid those wishing to free themselves of addiction.
Belzman is the president and executive director of the Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors Institute (ACADC). The organization provides certified training for drug and alcohol counselors. To date, ACADC has certified 1,383 counselors throughout California.
And Belzman said the need will continue to rise.
"The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that it is a growing field through 2010," Belzman said. "But we all realize it will continue to grow."
There are about 30 institutes that certify counselors, said Belzman. Some are secular and some are Christian based. Belzman said that ACADC counselors need to be well versed in Biblical principals.
Statistics also reveal that the success rates for recovering addicts in a Christian counseling program far outperform a secular program. "People who go through a secular program have a 3 to 15% recovery rate," Belzman said. "A Christian program has a success rate of 75 to 86%."
Once certified, whether through a secular or Christian program, the opportunities are many. Counselors work in numerous settings, such as recovery homes, hospitals, behavior medicine centers, and Christian recovery programs such as Teen Challenge, Set Free Ministries, and the Salvation Army, Belzman said.
The cost to become a certified counselor varies from as low as $300 to over $50,000 depending upon the certifying organization, college, or university.
Belzman's organization, ACADC, is located in Calimesa and will be offering an open meeting on March 17 for those interested in become a California Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
"We will discuss all the certifications (available) and their world views," Said Belzman. "There is a real need for more (certified) counselors."
What: Open meeting for those interested in becoming a certified alcohol and drug counselor.
When: Tuesday, March 17 at 6 p.m.
Where: 1063 Barnes Ct., Calimesa.
Who to Contact: Dr. Mike Belzman
Phone: (909) 795-5655
To learn more visit the Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors Institute website at www.acadc.org.
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Drug and alcohol counselors provide a lot of help to those who are addicted to the said substances. They are the ones who are making a way for the patients, to forget the abusive effects of drugs as well as giving advices on how to change for the better.
Without caring, competent counselors those trying to crawl out of the dark hole of addiction would have a much more difficult struggle. Good comment. Bob
I am now in school to become a drug and alcohol counselor. I am so anxious, but afraid of the job shortages. Does anyone know if the jobs are out there and the amount of pay to expect? thanks,
there are jobs if you have qualification,as drug addiction has spread alot I think the counselors will get jobs even in the current situation of the economy.
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I have 1200 hours out of 2000, I need about 5 or 6 more classes to be a certified counselor I am getting my hours at Recovery House of Central Fl. in Sanford. Are there any Grants out there to help me pay for it. Can someone e-mail me with more infomation.
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