Substance misuse worker
Also known as: substance mis-use mentor, drug abuse outreach worker, substance abuse social worker, drug and alcohol social worker, substance abuse worker, mentor (drugs and alcahol)
About this occupation
Substance misuse workers provide assistance and counselling to people with substance abuse problems. They monitor their progress, advocate for them, and performe crisis interventions and group therapy. They also assist patients dealing with the consequences of tobacco, alcohol or recreational drugs abuse, which can be problematics as unemployment, physical or mental disorders and poverty.
A specialisation of social worker.
Essential skills and knowledge
- protect vulnerable social service users
- social justice
- inform on the risks of substance and alcohol abuse
- apply problem solving in social service
- communicate professionally with colleagues in other fields
- tolerate stress
- assess clients' drug and alcohol addictions
- accept own accountability
- provide social counselling
- conduct interview in social service
- negotiate with social service stakeholders
- adhere to organisational guidelines
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (O*NET 21-1023.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
- Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
- Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
- Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
- Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Social Perceptiveness, Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Monitoring
US median pay: US$60,280 a year (2025), 132,810 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyExtremely important (4.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.9)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyVery important (3.6)
- Divinity or PhilosophyO*NET: Philosophy and TheologyImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Mental Health Counselors
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
- Psychiatrists
- Clinical Neuropsychologists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.