Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work in a drug rehab facility? For most specialists, it’s a very rewarding career path. But what’s involved in a typical workday?
There’s a high demand for people to work in the addiction recovery field. With statistics that show over 70,000 individuals that died from overdose deaths in the US in 2017 alone, the need for drug and alcohol abuse personnel will continue to remain high for many years.
There’s also a major increase in public resources and government funding to help people battling with addiction. This will continue to keep job demand growing.
If you make the decision to work in a drug rehab center, your experience will be incredibly rewarding. You’ll be helping the people that most need your assistance every single day you show up at work.
Let’s take a look at some of the details.
A Wide Array of Career Choices
When you get into this field, you’ll have a lot of career options. From medical detox doctors to administrative support, there are seemingly limitless possibilities to choose from.
Depending on your current career qualifications, you’ll have a lot of options to explore. Depending on the position you choose to pursue, keep in mind that individual states have varying requirements. But if you’re looking for work as a maintenance person in a facility, you won’t need to worry about that.
The same holds true for positions like a head chef and other general support staff.
Your first step toward a career in drug and addiction abuse treatment is determining exactly what you’d like to do to help people suffering from drug addiction.
Doctors, Therapists, Addiction Counselors
To become an addiction counselor, you’ll likely need to be a licensed psychiatrist, or possess a master’s degree in counseling.
Most of the master’s programs out there offer fields of specialization, such as one in addiction and substance abuse. Many facilities employ trained medical directors that oversee a patient’s detoxification process and prescribe MATs (medication-assisted treatments). These ease a patient’s withdrawal symptoms during detox and early recovery stages.
Many of these healthcare professionals are also psychiatrists that specialize in treating common mental health issues. This training and experience allow them to notice underlying mental health problems that may have contributed to a patient’s addiction.
Take note that the psychiatry field requires a minimum of 11 years of professional training. Oftentimes it requires even more than that.
Addiction Therapy Nurses, Detox Specialists, and Psychiatric Nurses
Maybe individuals in this field prefer a career with a focus on the direct, day-to-day care of patients. These positions have a focus on treatment for patients as they progress through the detox process and adjust to the withdrawal symptoms they experience.
Addiction Therapy Nurses are integral in tracking treatment progress and make recommendations for the continued care that’s needed. They consult with the internal physician every day to keep them in the loop of the progress a patient is making.
Throughout their routine, detox specialists and nurses work to make their clients feel as comfortable and safe as they possibly can. It’s the perfect job for someone who is looking to directly impact the lives of their clients.
Generally speaking, the demand for these jobs is higher than any other in the rehabilitation and addiction treatment sector.
Social Workers
Similar to nurses, these key members of the staff work very closely with patients and families as the transitions are made into and out of a treatment center. The social worker, or case manager, is a trained professional who is the first to determine a client’s individual initial treatment requirements.
They put together an action plan for every client and work in close conjunction with a client’s family, who are also struggling due to their loved one’s addiction.
The vast majority of social workers in drug rehab facilities have a Master’s degree in the field of social work.
Support and Administrative Staff
If you don’t have a degree or specialized certification, there are still some great entry points to get into the field. Consider starting in an administrative support role.
This can entail anything from keeping financial records, answering phone calls or doing data entry on your patient’s files.
Believe it or not, answering phone calls and speaking to clients looking for help is extremely rewarding. You’ll be the face of the facility, and you’re the first one to offer them much-needed support in their time of distress.
Working in the Drug Rehab Field Is Rewarding
If you’re looking to change careers and aren’t sure where you want to go, consider starting a new career in a drug rehab facility. The rewards of helping other people are more than worth it. Get started today at 800-411-8019!