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Behavioral HealthTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Licensed Addiction Counselor

Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. Help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions, substance abuse, and substance use disorders. A Licensed Addiction Counselor can assume clinical supervision duties.

Annual openings

1,676

Median wage

n/a

Typical education

A Master’s or Doctoral degree in Clinical Behavioral Health is required, plus completion of required [Certified Addiction Counselor education](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1892z4b5A0gz-fy8pP271f8iCoiLg3n7r/view).

Growth 2024–2034

+26%

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

A Master’s or Doctoral degree in Clinical Behavioral Health is required, plus completion of required Certified Addiction Counselor education.

Credential requirement

A LAC certification is required. A LAC must also pass Colorado’s Mental Health Professions Jurisprudence Exam, the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) exam within 5 years, and complete the required supervised work experience.

Work experience

To become LAC certified, 5,000 hours of work experience is required.

Significant work experience as an Addiction Counselor is required to be licensed. It can be appropriate to work as a Certified Addiction Technician or Specialist prior to completing your Master’s degree.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

A typical day

  1. Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
  2. Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
  3. Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
  4. Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status.
  5. Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
  6. Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills.
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