Addiction Therapists

We are living in stressful times, and more people are abusing drugs or alcohol and/or are engaging in other destructive behaviors as a way to reduce stress or otherwise ameliorate sadness, grief, pain, or other emotions. “These compounding stressors are having real consequences on our minds and bodies,” according to the American Psychological Association, which says that these and other problems have prompted a “national mental health crisis” in the United States. As a result, there is very strong demand for addiction therapists.

Job opportunities for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected to increase 18 percent from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This is much faster than the average for all careers. The DOL reports that demand for these workers has increased as a result of an uptick in people with behavioral and mental health disorders, as well as addictions (especially to opioids). Additionally, there is a continuing need for therapists to treat active duty military personnel and veterans who have mental health or substance abuse issues.

The DOL predicts that employment for marriage and family therapists will increase 15 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average. It says that “growth is expected due to the increasing use of integrated care, which is a treatment of multiple problems at one time by a group of specialists. In providing integrated care, marriage and family therapists are working with counselors such as substance abuse, behavior disorder, or mental health counselors to address patients’ issues as a team.”