Drug Treatment Counselor

Counselor Above average in Substance Abuse CounselingNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$35k-$58k

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 35m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Salary Range: $34,730 - $58,111

Note: The starting salary is determined based on education, experience, or a combination of both.

Benefits: Insurance, Annual leave, Sick leave, Paid holidays, State of Alabama RSA Retirement

Location: Locations across the state.

Job Summary

The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is seeking Drug Treatment Counselors. These positions are in various locations across the state.

This is a full-time professional position that provides supportive guidance and direction to inmates in a substance abuse treatment setting. The Drug Treatment Counselor will provide compassionate guidance, direction and support to participants suffering from drug and/or alcohol dependency through education, group processing, and individual interactions.

  • The primary responsibilities of the Drug Treatment Counselor are as follows:
  • Manage all aspects of a Substance Abuse Treatment file from pre-treatment through aftercare.
  • Document progress and behaviors.
  • Develop appropriate and individualized treatment plans and assist with post recovery strategies.
  • Facilitate individual sessions.
  • Facilitate group sessions using ADOC approved curricula as a guide.
  • Identify behaviors that inhibit treatment and recovery.
  • Facilitate risk/needs assessments.
  • Complete monthly reports.
  • Attend routine Substance Use Treatment meetings and annual training.

Applicants must meet the requirements below

  • Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in any major.
  • One (1) year experience in substance abuse counseling.

Notes

Substance abuse counseling experience above the minimum will substitute for the required degree on a year for year basis (minimum education - High School Diploma/GED).

"Substance Abuse Counseling" is defined as implementing the techniques and philosophy of a specific addiction recovery model such as 12-step or therapeutic community, observing, recording and orally describing the behavior and thinking processes of substance abusers and developing aftercare plans. Volunteer substance abuse counseling which includes these tasks will be credited on a 40-hour work week.

Application Process

Please follow the "Apply Now" instructions located to the right and click "Apply for this Position".

Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, references and direct questions to recruiting@doc.alabama.gov

Resumes will be received until the position is filled.

Key Responsibilities

The Drug Treatment Counselor manages substance abuse treatment files and provides supportive guidance to inmates through individual and group sessions. They are responsible for developing individualized treatment plans, documenting progress, and facilitating risk and needs assessments.

Requirements

Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience in substance abuse counseling. Candidates are expected to have a background in implementing addiction recovery models and developing aftercare strategies.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree

Key Skills

Treatment planningGroup facilitationIndividual counselingCase managementRisk assessmentNeeds assessmentDocumentationAftercare planning

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Drug Treatment Counselor at Alabama Department of Corrections a 6.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Substance Abuse Counseling — ranked against 41 active Substance Abuse Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.

Substance Abuse Counseling — Counselor Career Context

Alabama Department of Corrections ranks #11 of 12 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 40% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

Counselor pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.5% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Alabama is 88.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$46k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $52k in an average-cost state. 60.3% of Alabama clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks22 jobs · 14 employers

401k / retirement match
91%
CME allowance
27%
Sign-on bonus
14%
Loan repayment
14%
PSLF eligible
9% this job

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Work-life snapshot

6.2/ 10
Listing-based score

Above average in Substance Abuse Counseling

  • No weekends

Living in Clayton

Median resident rent
$766/mo
Residents’ average commute
24 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

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

Alabama Department of Corrections logo

About Alabama Department of Corrections

Government Administration
Montgomery, Alabama
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Insurance
Annual leave
Sick leave
Paid holidays
State of Alabama RSA Retirement
PSLF Eligible