An addiction worker counsels patients in group homes, residential treatment facilities, correctional institutions, or hospital treatment settings.
An addiction worker may also consult with other professionals to assess the physical/mental status of their clients.
It is a regulated career and mostly unionized as well.
For example in Alberta, an addiction worker will have to register with the college of counseling therapy of Alberta.
It is a career that is deeply entrenched in support.
Average Hourly
$22.20
Range Hourly
$15.00 – $33.60
Average Yearly
$43,290
Range Yearly
$29,250 -$65,520
Social and community service workers (4212)
Addictions Educator, Clinician (Addictions / Substance Abuse), Counsellor (Behavioural Addictions / Drug and Alcohol Addiction / Gambling Stabilization / Harm Reduction / Treatment / Substance Abuse), Wellness Project Coordinator, Worker (Addiction Prevention / Detox / Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Support / School Addiction Resource)
Completion of a college or university program in social work, child and youth care, psychology, or other social science or health-related discipline is usually required. Previous work experience in a social service environment as a volunteer or in a support capacity may replace formal education requirements for some occupations in this unit group. Addiction workers may be required to be a member of a provincial regulatory body in some provinces.
Low
The employment outlook is good to fair in most provinces. More information is available here
Progression to professional occupations in social services, such as family and marriage counsellors, social workers, and probation and parole officers, is possible with additional training and experience.
0-1 year of relevant experience are usually required
General learning ability - to assess and investigate clients' eligibility for social benefits and to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients' behavioural changes and responses to interventions
Verbal ability - to interview clients in order to obtain case histories and background information, to meet with clients to discuss problems and assess their progress, and to provide support and crisis intervention
Numerical ability and Clerical perception - to maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research and to prepare intake reports. Social interest in consulting with social assistance recipients and pensioners to advise and aid them in locating and utilizing a variety of community resources; in referring clients to other social services; in counselling clients living in group homes and halfway houses and assisting in pre-release and release planning; in providing crisis intervention and emergency-shelter services; and in coordinating volunteer activities of community and social services organizations
Methodical interest - in compiling information to participate in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs; to assess clients' relevant skill strengths and deficits; and in maintaining contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress
Innovative interest - in assisting clients to sort out options and develop plans of action, and in implementing and organizing the delivery of life-skills workshops, substance-abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social workers and health care professionals.
Addiction Counselling (Post-Diploma) -University of Lethbridge
Addictions Counselling (Bachelor of Health Sciences) - University of Lethbridge
Addiction Recovery Practitioner (Certificate) - NorQuest College
Obtaining a Medical Radiology Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technolgy, or similar diploma.
Foreign degrees can be assessed to determine equivalency to a Canadian accredited degree program
May take a degree programs on this topic. Also, volunteering for child and youth care might help get into a program or overall improvement of profile of a candidate