Confidential Employer logo
Confidential Employer
Woodlawn, Maryland

Substance Abuse Counselor

Addiction CounselorIncludes callIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$50k-$55k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern, benefits and time off.

Posted 58m ago · Verified live

Job Description

We’re seeking a compassionate and motivated Substance Abuse Counselor to join our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team. This role supports individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders through evidence-based treatment, recovery-focused services, and community-based support.

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide substance use counseling, prevention, and sobriety maintenance using 12-step principles and evidence-based practices
  • Support clients with daily living skills, community integration, and relapse prevention
  • Coordinate and transport clients to AA/NA meetings and community activities
  • Develop and manage monthly sobriety-focused activity calendars
  • Perform drug screenings as required
  • Complete clinical documentation, including individual treatment plans (ITPs) and progress notes
  • Provide case management for an assigned caseload, including assessment and care coordination
  • Facilitate social and recreational activities for ACT clients
  • Educate and support families; advocate for client rights and preferences
  • Participate in on-call crisis interventions (evenings/weekends, as scheduled)
  • Maintain fidelity to the ACT Model of Care

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Human Services, Addiction Counseling, or related field preferred
  • 1–3 years of relevant experience considered in lieu of degree

Certifications & Requirements

  • Certified or eligible for certification in addictions treatment
  • Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
  • Knowledge of mental illness and substance use disorders

Why Join Us?

  • Mission-driven, community-based work
  • Collaborative multidisciplinary ACT team
  • Meaningful impact supporting long-term recovery

Requirements

Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field or 1-3 years of relevant experience. Candidates must hold or be eligible for addiction treatment certification and possess a valid driver's license.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree

Key Skills

Substance abuse counselingCrisis interventionTreatment planningDrug screeningClient advocacyFamily education

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 44% have no call, 54% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Maryland is 105.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$53k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $50k in an average-cost state. 62.9% of Maryland clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

How many Substance Use / Addiction Counselor jobs are remote?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$50k–$55kSubstance Use / Addiction Counselor median $64k (middle half $59k–$68k)12 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$50k in purchasing powerMaryland index 105.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings in Maryland376 active13,732 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 44% remote · 44% no call · 54% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedMaryland Counselor listings: 13% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 9% offer loan repayment376 active listings, Oct 2026
Confidential Employer#20 of 26 for payTop Employers work-life index
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, Top Employers work-life index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Counselor Jobs

36 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

36 jobs · 28 employers
12
<$75k
9
$75k-90k
5
$90k-105k
5
$105k-120k
5
$120k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

32 jobs · 28 employers
401k / retirement match
94%
CME allowance
41%
Sign-on bonus
28%
Loan repayment
13%
PSLF eligible
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

LifeStance Health · Milwaukee, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#2

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)

Gotham Enterprises · Pinehurst, North Carolina

$115k-$120k
#3

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

$115k-$120k
#4

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor(LCPC)

$72k-$120k
+ 34 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 1.5
Below most Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,008 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call
  • Includes weekends

Living in Woodlawn CDP (Prince George's County)

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$365k≈ 7.3× annual pay
Median resident rent
$1,648/mo≈ 40% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
33 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.9
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.