Substance Use Counselor

Counselor Above average in Addiction Medicine (Counseling)No weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$27-$34/hr

Listing transparency3 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and nights and shift pattern.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
No weekends
Posted 19m ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Outpatient MAT Opioid Treatment Program
  • Now Hiring: Substance Use Counselor

Our Team

Gifford Street Comprehensive Treatment Center (CTC), located in New Bedford, MA, is part of Acadia Healthcare's Comprehensive Treatment Centers—the nation's leader in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for individuals seeking recovery from Opioid Use Disorder.

We provide a continuum of care that includes Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT), Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and mobile treatment units.

Our approach to holistic addiction care extends beyond clinical treatment, incorporating recovery coaching, community outreach and partnerships to ensure patients receive comprehensive, patient-centered support.

  • Full Time Hours: Early morning schedule that encourages a great work-life balance:
  • Monday - Friday starting at 5:30am; 36 hours/week
  • Why Work With Us? Benefits Include:
  • Semi-Annual Bonus Program
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Competitive 401(k) with employer match
  • Paid vacation and sick leave
  • Employer-paid clinical supervision (free to employees)
  • Free and unlimited access to 500+ accredited Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supporting your mental health & well-being
  • Industry-leading growth and development opportunities

Transforming Lives with Community & Compassion

With 14 outpatient opioid treatment programs (OTPs) across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, we’re breaking down barriers to care and supporting long-term recovery. Our CTC clinics partner with nursing homes, justice systems, and community groups to provide holistic, patient-centered care. From wellness initiatives and holiday celebrations to yoga and animal therapy, we foster a supportive environment for healing and whole-person well-being.

Responsibilities

Your Job as a Substance Use Counselor:

The Substance Use Counselor is instrumental in our patient’s treatment and recovery from opioid use disorder. Substance Use Counselors provide high quality, compassionate care through various mediums which include both individual and group counseling sessions.

Job Responsibilities

  • Provide high quality, compassionate guidance in both individual and group counseling sessions.
  • Plan, oversee, facilitate and document patient's recovery.
  • Co-facilitate assigned group or family sessions as needed.
  • Ensure all documentation regarding patient care, treatment, and incidents is completed timely and in a clear, concise manner.
  • Prepare individual treatment plans for each assigned patient.
  • Initial assessments as well as follow up assessments.
  • Evaluate patient needs and determine if referrals to other programs or facilities are needed.
  • May plan for aftercare for assigned patients.
  • Provide crisis intervention to patients, as needed.
  • Provide case management duties for patients, ensuring individualized quality care as needed.
  • Act as a liaison between referral sources and patients, as needed.

Compensation for roles at Gifford Street CTC varies depending on a wide array of factors including but not limited to the specific location, role, skill set, and level of experience. Gifford Street CTC provides a reasonable hourly range of compensation for roles that may be hired in Massachusetts as set forth below. Role Location: Massachusetts

Calculated Salary Range for the role: $27.00 - 34.00 per hour

Eligible positions may qualify for student loan forgiveness through HRSA, depending on clinic site eligibility. Check your eligibilty here: HRSA Eligibility

Where Passion Meets Purpose. Join Our Team!

Our compassionate team is dedicated to empowering individuals on their recovery journey, providing high-quality care, offering unwavering support, and fostering a patient-centered approach to healing.

Through evidence-based treatment and a commitment to whole-person wellness, our team members play a vital role in helping individuals reclaim their lives.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a supportive, mission-driven team committed to transforming lives and strengthening local communities, we encourage you to apply today. Join us in delivering dedicated care and meaningful recovery support.

Qualifications

Required Education:

Master’s Degree in a relevant field is required, or one of the following credentials: CAC, CAS, CADC, CRC, LADC I, LADC II, LICSW, LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT.

Bachelor’s Degree holders without credentials are encouraged to apply if they are committed to obtaining required credentials within 30-60 days of employment.

For Bachelor’s-level candidates, we provide reimbursement for licensing or certification exam fees to support credential attainment.

Degree obtained must be in psychology, social work, or related health services field from an accredited college or university.

Your Skills & Experience

Previous experience in addiction recovery or behavioral health settings, such as outpatient, residential, or correctional facilities.

  • Familiarity with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
  • Experience conducting individual and group counseling sessions focused on substance use recovery.

Knowledge of evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and relapse prevention techniques.

Documentation experience, including maintaining clinical notes, treatment plans, and progress updates in accordance with state and federal guidelines.

Familiarity with state regulatory standards (e. g., 42 CFR Part 2, HIPAA, Joint Commission standards).

Experience collaborating in a multidisciplinary team with medical staff, case managers, and peer support specialists.

Licenses/Certifications

Candidates who do not hold a Master’s degree must possess one of the following certifications or commit to obtaining it within 60 days of hire:

  • CAC, CAS, CADC, CRC, LADC I, LADC II, LICSW, LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT.
  • We provide reimbursement for licensing or certification exam fees to support credential attainment.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.

#LI-CTC

AHCTC

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Substance use counselingIndividual counselingTreatment planningClinical documentationPatient assessmentMultidisciplinary collaboration

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Use Counselor at Gifford Street Comprehensive Treatment Center a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Addiction Medicine (Counseling) — ranked against 1,299 active Addiction Medicine (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 50% are remote, 24% have no call, 76% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$63k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $60k in an average-cost state. 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks35 jobs · 28 employers

401k / retirement match
94% this job
CME allowance
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Sign-on bonus
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Loan repayment
17% this job
PSLF eligible
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Work-life snapshot

6.4/ 10
Listing-based score

Above average in Addiction Medicine (Counseling)

  • No weekends

Living in New Bedford

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$455k
Typical market rent
$1,841/mo
Residents’ average commute
25 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
101.8
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Gifford Street Comprehensive Treatment Center logo

About Gifford Street Comprehensive Treatment Center

Hospitals and Health Care
New Bedford, Massachusetts

Benefits & Perks

Semi-Annual Bonus Program
Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Competitive 401(k) with employer match
Paid vacation and sick leave
Employer-paid clinical supervision
Free and unlimited access to 500+ accredited Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Industry-leading growth and development opportunities