Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance Abuse Counselor performs inspections and these 20 real tasks describe what to look for, how to score findings, and when to act. Tasks clarify the consequences and reporting channels. Each one shows where we found it, and comes with an AI prompt you can copy and use straight away.

20evidenced tasks
20ready prompts
10tools of the trade
21-1011.00O*NET-SOC code
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What it pays

Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.

In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
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The work, task by task

These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.

Analysing3

Advise clients on coping strategies

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Advise Maria Torres, who reports two relapse triggers this week, with a written coping plan that lists three…
Advise Maria Torres, who reports two relapse triggers this week, with a written coping plan that lists three immediate grounding techniques, two weekly routines to reduce cravings, and her emergency contacts — review it with her before she leaves today.
The tools that do the workAnasazi Software Assessment and Treatment PlanESCOjob descriptionsO*NET

Monitor their progress

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Review Daniel Kim's attendance, urine screens, and PHQ-9 scores for the past month, summarise trends in one…
Review Daniel Kim's attendance, urine screens, and PHQ-9 scores for the past month, summarise trends in one progress note highlighting risk and treatment goals, and flag clients who missed two sessions for outreach by Friday.
The tools that do the workCadence Solutions extendedReachESCOjob descriptionsO*NET

Conduct group therapy

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Plan and run Thursday's group for new clients: prepare an agenda on relapse prevention, select two structured…
Plan and run Thursday's group for new clients: prepare an agenda on relapse prevention, select two structured exercises, assign roles to peer leader Ana Ruiz, and send reminders to participants with confidentiality guidelines today.
The tools that do the workCase managementESCOjob descriptions
Convincing1

Perform crisis interventions

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Respond to the on-call crisis for Jamal Reed: document immediate safety assessment, arrange a same-day brief…
Respond to the on-call crisis for Jamal Reed: document immediate safety assessment, arrange a same-day brief intervention, notify his emergency contact, and create a follow-up appointment within 72 hours — file the incident note now.
The tools that do the workACMS Casewatch MilleniumESCOO*NET
Get approval1

Coordinate with psychiatrists for medication-assisted treatment

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Coordinate with Dr. Patel about starting medication-assisted treatment for Lisa Gomez: send her latest…
Coordinate with Dr. Patel about starting medication-assisted treatment for Lisa Gomez: send her latest intake, current prescriptions, and liver function results, request recommendations and a shared monitoring plan, and schedule a joint case review next week.
The tools that do the workAthena Software Penelope Case Managementjob descriptionsO*NET
Learning1

Participate in continuing education and training

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Register for the mandatory trauma-informed care workshop, attach my current supervision goals, request…
Register for the mandatory trauma-informed care workshop, attach my current supervision goals, request managerial approval for the training day, and add the certificate to my professional development file when completed.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
The daily work14

Express ideas effectively to clients

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Write a clear one-page client handout that explains relapse warning signs, simple coping scripts the client…
Write a clear one-page client handout that explains relapse warning signs, simple coping scripts the client can practise aloud, and a five-step breathing exercise — use plain language, list actions the client can do in the moment, and finish with who to call in crisis.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions

Advocate for them

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Draft a concise advocacy letter to the housing support team requesting immediate temporary housing for Maria…
Draft a concise advocacy letter to the housing support team requesting immediate temporary housing for Maria Gonzalez, include her diagnosis, treatment attendance, safety concerns, the specific accommodation requested, and ask for a decision by next Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO

Assess clients' substance use history and mental health

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Assess Javier Morales's substance use history and current mental health by reviewing intake notes, completing…
Assess Javier Morales's substance use history and current mental health by reviewing intake notes, completing a standardized timeline of use, administering the brief screening tool, and summarizing risks and recommendations for the treatment team before Friday clinic rounds.
The tools that do the workAnasazi Software Assessment and Treatment Planjob descriptionsO*NET

Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.

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Complete and file progress notes for Marissa Cole covering sessions this month, record services provided,…
Complete and file progress notes for Marissa Cole covering sessions this month, record services provided, update the service log with billable hours, and generate the monthly summary report for clinical supervision by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workAddison Health Systems WritePad EHRO*NET

Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status.

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Update Thomas Lee's treatment plan to reflect his reduced opioid use and new housing status, adjust goals and…
Update Thomas Lee's treatment plan to reflect his reduced opioid use and new housing status, adjust goals and interventions, document clinical justification, and notify his primary therapist and case manager today.
The tools that do the workAnasazi Software Assessment and Treatment PlanO*NET

Instruct others in program methods, procedures, or functions.

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Draft a one-page walkthrough of the relapse prevention group method, including session structure, handouts,…
Draft a one-page walkthrough of the relapse prevention group method, including session structure, handouts, and facilitator cues, then upload it and share with staff before Thursday's meeting so colleagues can trial the approach.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET

Participate in case conferences or staff meetings.

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Prepare case summaries for the three complex clients on my caseload, highlight safety concerns and service…
Prepare case summaries for the three complex clients on my caseload, highlight safety concerns and service gaps, attach recent assessments, and circulate to the multidisciplinary team for tomorrow's case conference.
The tools that do the workACMS Casewatch MilleniumO*NET

Train or supervise student interns or new staff members.

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Create an onboarding plan and supervision checklist for the new intern cohort that covers confidentiality,…
Create an onboarding plan and supervision checklist for the new intern cohort that covers confidentiality, client safety, note-taking standards, and shadowing schedule, then schedule a one-hour orientation next Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordO*NET

Develop, implement, or evaluate public education, prevention, or health promotion programs, working in collaboration with organizations, institutions, or communities.

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Design and launch a three-month community prevention campaign with Harmony Outreach and Eastside High,…
Design and launch a three-month community prevention campaign with Harmony Outreach and Eastside High, include a calendar of four weekly school workshops, two public forums at the community center, measurable objectives, and a $4,000 budget — start this month.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET

Develop individualized treatment plans

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Create an individualized treatment plan for Miguel Santos that lists diagnosis, short- and long-term goals,…
Create an individualized treatment plan for Miguel Santos that lists diagnosis, short- and long-term goals, specific interventions, weekly group and twice-weekly individual sessions, medication supports, crisis contacts, and measurable progress indicators to review in four weeks.
The tools that do the workAnasazi Software Assessment and Treatment Planjob descriptions

Conduct intake assessments

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Complete intake assessment for new referral Jenna Patel covering substance history, mental health screening,…
Complete intake assessment for new referral Jenna Patel covering substance history, mental health screening, risk assessment, current supports, consent for treatment, and a safety plan, then flag urgent items and assign a first appointment within seven days.
The tools that do the workCadence Solutions extendedReachjob descriptions

Collaborate with healthcare teams and support services

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Coordinate care for client Omar Reed with his primary care nurse, psychiatric prescriber, and housing…
Coordinate care for client Omar Reed with his primary care nurse, psychiatric prescriber, and housing caseworker: summarize current treatment goals, share latest urine screen and medication list, request medication review this week, and set a joint case conference next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookAthena Software Penelope Case Managementjob descriptions

Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards

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Audit my caseload files to ensure all client records have signed consent, confidentiality notice, up-to-date…
Audit my caseload files to ensure all client records have signed consent, confidentiality notice, up-to-date release forms, and that any breaches have incident notes; produce a list of missing items and fixable risks by Friday.
The tools that do the workACMS Casewatch Milleniumjob descriptions

Use motivational interviewing techniques

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Prepare a one-hour training for staff on motivational interviewing using two role-play scenarios, include…
Prepare a one-hour training for staff on motivational interviewing using two role-play scenarios, include handouts with open questions, reflective listening prompts, and a follow-up fidelity checklist to use in supervision next month.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions

Says who?

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The logs, files & records this job keeps

Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.

Related careers

Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.

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