O*NET-SOC 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.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 5 – Extensive preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresExtensive skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Active Listening2.A.1.b4.2508/2021
Speaking2.A.1.d4.2508/2021
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a4.1208/2021
Social Perceptiveness2.B.1.a4.1208/2021
Monitoring2.A.2.d4.008/2021
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a4.008/2021

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.1208/2021
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.34.1208/2021
Speech Clarity1.A.4.b.54.1208/2021
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.44.008/2021
Inductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.54.008/2021
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.008/2021

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.Core5308/2021
Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.Core5208/2021
Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.Core5408/2021
Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.Core5108/2021
Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.Core5308/2021

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Social6.6511/2023
Investigative3.811/2023
Conventional3.6511/2023
Enterprising2.7311/2023
Artistic2.3711/2023
Realistic1.6211/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 5

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.