Do you want to lead a career in addiction counseling? This is a challenging but definitely a rewarding career as you will be responsible for a change that will change man’s life forever.
If you want to get involved in some form of some kind of social work that pays a lot, too, you must start looking for online courses for addiction counseling. There are lots of them available and you would not have a hard time finding a school or a course that will fit right to the bill. Make sure first that you establish what your needs and requirements are. That way, you will have a clear view of what you should be looking for.
Have a Serious Self-Assessment
Before you jump taking any course to become a substance abuse counselor, you must make a serious assessment of your personal goals. See if the profession fits you right. It is not proper to jump into a career that you do not have interest in. You must ensure your heart is in it so it will not be hard all the way.
An effective addiction counselor is respectful and has a genuine intention to help others. Make sure that you have the right motives and the right traits to perform the challenging tasks that the job comes along with.
After assessing yourself, it is time that you open your eyes to the endless choices of online courses and schools that you can use as a bridge to your career goal. There are countless addiction counseling courses available online. Make sure to enlist in one that is accredited and is credible enough to deliver the goods. You need to be licensed to become a substance abuse counselor. To become licensed, you need to be backed up by quality education that will allow you to know anything and everything that the job entails. It helps a lot if you chose the right course that will support you all the way.
Since your study schedule as an online student is flexible, you may also want to take an entry-level position in the field. Your practical experience working in the field will also say a lot about your competence. Often, you need that experience to back you up when it is time for you to look for a job. Employers usually require at least a year of experience before getting somebody hired. This is what is truly amazing about distance learning. You are given the freedom to study at your own pace so you are left with a time to do other things as well.