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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)
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Addictions counsellors work with clients who have addictions challenges. Clients may come from diverse cultures, exhibit different behaviours, and have a range of lifestyles. They may experience codependency, have eating disorders, or be addicted to alcohol, drugs, gambling, or shopping. In general, addictions counsellors:
Addictions counsellors promote healthy lifestyles and raise awareness of addictions. This may involve developing, implementing, and evaluating programs for public education, prevention, and health promotion.
Depending on the agency, addictions counsellors may work standard weekday office hours or shifts that include evenings and weekends. At times, counsellors may need to travel.
Due to the nature and demands of addictions counselling, the work can be both emotionally rewarding and emotionally draining.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in mentoring in order to counsel clients, and provide therapy and mediation services; and in assisting individuals and groups of clients to identify, understand and overcome personal problems and achieve personal objectives
Interest in co-ordinating information to develop and implement counselling and intervention programs to assist clients in determining goals and the means of attaining them; may conduct research, publish research papers, educational texts and articles
Interest in following up results of counselling programs and clients' adjustments; and in conducting vocational testing and psychometric assessment; may supervise other counsellors, social service staff and assistants
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Addictions counsellors need:
Addictions counsellors should enjoy working with people and synthesizing information to find innovative solutions to problems. They should find reward in helping others. Some addictions counsellors have achieved stability and a desire to help after experiencing their own addictions.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 48 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 30, 2021 and Apr 19, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Develop and implement counselling and intervention programs to assist clients in determining goals and means of attaining them | 22 |
|---|---|
| Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 22 |
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 22 |
| Personal Suitability: Values and ethics | 22 |
| Personal Suitability: Dependability | 22 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 22 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent written communication | 21 |
| Personal Suitability: Judgement | 21 |
| Follow up results of counselling programs and clients' adjustment | 21 |
| Personal Suitability: Interpersonal awareness | 21 |
Employers give preference to addictions counsellors with a related university degree. Depending on where they’re employed, they may be hired with the minimum of a diploma in addictions counselling or related field of study.
Post-secondary schools throughout Alberta offer related degree programs. For more information, see the Psychologist, Child and Youth Care Worker, and Social Worker occupation profiles.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
In 2018 the Mental Health Services Protection Act [pdf] was amended to include addictions counsellors, child and youth care counsellors, and counselling therapists under the new College of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (CCTA). Regulations are being developed and these professions will be regulated in the near future. Once this happens, counsellors will need to be approved by CCTA to work in these professions. For updates on the regulation, visit Alberta Counselling Therapists Association (ACTA).
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Addictions counsellors work for agencies that offer prevention, health promotion, aftercare, early intervention, or treatment programs. They may work in addiction programs, harm-reduction facilities, or shelters for women or men. They may also work with private agencies, First Nation communities, the criminal justice system, health services, schools, or community programs.
Advancement opportunities depend on the counsellor’s qualifications and experience, and on the size and nature of the organization.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 4153: Family, marriage and other related counsellors occupational group, 83.4% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 4153: Family, marriage and other related counsellors occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 206 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $20.00 | $38.43 | $28.83 | $27.00 |
| Overall | $21.28 | $52.11 | $33.81 | $30.07 |
| Top | $22.33 | $55.25 | $36.31 | $35.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $62,160 |
|---|---|
| Educational Services | $53,105 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $63,279 |
Alberta Counselling Therapists Association (ACTA) website: www.acta-alberta.ca
Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) website: www.caccf.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
