Jobs / Education and social services / 21-1011.00

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.

US jobs
Not reported by BLS
Job family
Education and social services

Can agents do the work of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Education and social services: Unmeasured (no change in 12 months)

No direct benchmark gives a success rate.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 16%Confer with healthcare or other professionals about patient careNot measured
  • 14%Counsel others about personal mattersNot measured
  • 14%Develop patient or client care or treatment plansNot measured
  • 8%Monitor health conditions of humans or animalsNot measured
  • 6%Supervise personnel activitiesNot measured
  • 6%Train others on operational or work proceduresNot measured
  • 6%Maintain current knowledge in area of expertiseNot measured
  • 4%Advocate for individual or community needsNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in education and social services, not always this occupation's tasks.

Context only

These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.

  • GDPvalby OpenAIProject level · Wins plus ties against experts
    84.9%GPT-5.5 · Apr 2026
    Strong
  • TutorMoments-Previewby Ai2Task level · Mean of appropriate scaffolding and appropriate rigor (evaluation-aware prompt)
    0.84Claude Opus 4.8 · 7 Aug 2026
    Strong

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
  • Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills.
  • Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
  • Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
  • Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
  • Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.
  • Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
  • Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers.
  • Interview clients, review records, and confer with other professionals to evaluate individuals' mental and physical condition and to determine their suitability for participation in a specific program.
  • Participate in case conferences or staff meetings.
  • Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies.
  • Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
Other job titles for this occupation (40)

Addictions Counselor · CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) · Case Manager · Chemical Dependency Counselor (CD Counselor) · Chemical Dependency Professional · Counselor · Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist (DATS) · LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor) · Residential Substance Abuse Counselor · SA Counselor (Substance Abuse Counselor) · Addiction Counselor · Addiction Recovery Specialist · Addiction Specialist · Addiction Therapist · Alcohol and Drug Counselor · Alcoholic Counselor · Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor · Behavior Therapist · CADC (Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor) · CASAC (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor) · Certified Abuse and Drug Addiction Counselor · Certified ADC (Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor) · Certified Alcohol Counselor · Certified Drug Counselor · Certified Substance Abuse Counselor · Correctional Substance Abuse Counselor · Direct Care Counselor · Drug Abuse Counselor · Drug and Alcohol Therapist · Drug Counselor · Drug or Alcohol Abuse Human Relations Counselor · Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) · LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) · Quitline Counselor · Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) · Substance Abuse Specialist · Substance Abuse Therapist · Substance Use Counselor · Substance Use Disorder Counselor · Treatment Counselor