Exploring This Job
Learn as much as you can about the medical and psychological causes of addiction. If you are interested in becoming a specific type of therapist—such as a substance abuse therapist—learn everything you can about alcohol and prescription and illegal drugs and how their abuse negatively affects people’s mental and physical health. Once you’re in college, try to land a part-time or volunteer position at an addiction treatment facility to observe therapists at work. Participate in information interviews with addiction therapists. Ask the following questions, and try to come up with your own, too.
- What made you want to become an addiction therapist?
- What are the most important personal and professional traits for addiction therapists?
- What do you like and dislike about this career?
- How did you train for this field?
- Is certification important? If so, why?
- Any advice on breaking into the field?
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