Substance Abuse Counselor
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting
Ask the employer about the pay range, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Position Summary
The Substance Abuse Counselor provides substance use disorder counseling, education, and recovery support services to incarcerated individuals. This role supports Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and non-MAT treatment plans through evidence-based counseling practices while operating within licensed scope and established program guidelines.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Conduct substance use disorder screenings and provide counseling services to individuals enrolled in treatment programs.
- Facilitate individual and group counseling focused on recovery, relapse prevention, and behavioral change.
- Utilize evidence-based counseling approaches, including motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral techniques.
- Collaborate with MAT providers, psychiatric services, nursing staff, and case management to support integrated treatment plans.
- Document counseling sessions, progress notes, and treatment participation accurately and confidentially.
- Participate in interdisciplinary case reviews, staffing meetings, and CQI activities.
- Support discharge planning by reinforcing recovery education and connection to community-based treatment resources.
- Maintain compliance with confidentiality, documentation, and professional conduct standards.
Qualifications
- Current New Mexico certification or licensure as a Substance Abuse Counselor
(CADAC, LADAC, or equivalent).
- Experience providing substance use disorder counseling in correctional, residential, or community-based settings preferred.
- Training in evidence-based addiction counseling practices required.
What We Offer
Competitive hourly pay. Stable scheduling with 12-hour shifts. Supportive leadership and clinical oversight Opportunity to be part of a growing correctional healthcare organization. Meaningful work serving an underserved population.
About Thrive Medical Services, LLC
Thrive Medical Services, LLC is a New Mexico–based correctional healthcare provider committed to delivering high-quality medical, mental health, and substance use disorder services to county detention facilities. Our mission is to provide ethical, compliant, and patient-centered care while supporting our clinical staff with strong leadership and clear clinical protocols.
Key Responsibilities
Provide substance use disorder counseling, education, and recovery support to incarcerated individuals. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to implement integrated treatment plans and manage clinical documentation.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Abuse Counselor at Thrive Medical Services a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Addiction Medicine (Counseling) — ranked against 1,285 active Addiction Medicine (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc.
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 40 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 65% are remote, 10% have no call, 68% require no weekends.
Counselor pay on WeekdayDoc is down 3.3% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).
The cost-of-living index for New Mexico is 92.2 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.4% of New Mexico clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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