RHA Health Services logo
RHA Health Services
Asheville, North Carolina

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Counselor Top 25% in Addiction Medicine (Counseling)Full-Time

Compensation

Pay not disclosed

Listing transparency1 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting and call expectations.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

We are hiring for

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Type

Regular

If you are a positive and personable individual looking for a satisfying and fun opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people with intellectual, developmental disabilities, and people facing mental health, and substance use challenges, join our team at RHA Health Services!

A Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor possesses knowledge and is able to apply substance use/abuse treatment to a diverse population and has the capacity and knowledge to work with a treatment group that present a variety of addictions and addiction related behaviors. Provides individual sessions to explore overall goals, treatment plan, and measurement of goal completion, assess further needs of individuals for successful recovery and program completion. Relies on knowledge, experience, and judgment with supervision and direction from the supervisor to provide quality services. Must be a Qualified Professional as defined by state agencies and service definitions. Must also be a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Certain services may require additional training, knowledge, experience, and licensure.

Must be a full CADC in North Carolina

Responsibilities Include

Provides individual sessions to explore overall goals, treatment plan, and measurement of goal completion, assess further needs of individuals for successful recovery and program completion.

Conducts utilization reviews based on assessment information, treatment progress, and established guidelines, to determine eligibility for services, continuation of services, and discharge for services, complete service authorization requests, and maintain current authorization for service provision.

Utilizes assessment recommendations and input from client, family, and other involved natural and professional supports, develop person-centered treatment plans, and provide on-going monitoring and revision of treatment plans as indicated.

Provides preventive and therapeutic interventions in individual, family, and group counseling sessions including skills building, supportive counseling, and case coordination to help clients develop needed skills and support on-going treatment gains in regard to managing substance abuse and mental health symptoms and adapting to home, school and other environments

Consults with psychiatrist or other medical personnel regarding reporting behavioral observations and concerns, and improvement or concerns related to any prescribed medications.

Documents treatment interventions, community support and assessment of client’s progress based on treatment goals in client’s record according to state and agency requirements within 24 hours following the billed activities.

Required Education/Experience

Qualified Alcohol and Drug Professional which is defined as: a graduate of a college or university with a Master’s degree in a human service field and has one year of full-time, post-graduate degree accumulated supervised experience in substance abuse prevention; or a graduate of a college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a human service field and has two years of full-time, post-bachelor’s degree accumulated supervised experience in substance abuse prevention; or a graduate of a college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than human services and has four years of full-time, post bachelor’s degree accumulated supervised experience in substance abuse prevention; or a substance abuse prevention professional who is certified as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) by the North Carolina Certified Alcohol and Drug Professional Practice Board and meets the above requirements as a QSAPP

Pre-employment screening

Complete criminal background

Name checked in the registries. (OIG exclusions database, Child Abuse Registry, and Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities)

  • Drug testing
  • Education verification and other credentialing based on position requirements.
  • Proof of employment history or references (if required)

Positions that require driving Proof of driver's license, driver's insurance, and vehicle, IF required for providing transportation for individuals.

We offer the following benefits to employees

  • Payactiv: early access to the money you’ve earned from hours you’ve already worked, before payday!
  • Employee perks and discount program: to help you save money!
  • Paid Time Off (full-time employees only)
  • Health/Insurance (full-time employees only)
  • 401(k) retirement savings program
  • Wellbeing Programs: Physical, Emotional and Financial
  • Chronic Disease management programs for hypertension and diabetes (for qualifying employees)
  • Training: Free CPR, first aid, and job-specific training opportunities

*contract/contingent workers and interns do not qualify for any of the above benefits

EEO Statement RHA is an equal opportunity employer. In addition, we provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact our solutions center.

About RHA

At RHA Health Services, we help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health and/or substance use needs live their best lives. Our mission is to provide a safe and healthy environment while creating opportunities for personal outcomes.

For over 30 years, the people we serve and support have remained at the very center of everything we do. RHA currently provides services in North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and New Jersey.

If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of people we serve and support apply to join the team today.

Key Responsibilities

The counselor provides individual and group sessions to support clients with substance use and mental health challenges through person-centered treatment planning. They also conduct utilization reviews, monitor progress, and maintain accurate clinical documentation in accordance with state and agency requirements.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree with one year of supervised experience, or a Bachelor's degree with two to four years of experience in a human service field. Additionally, a valid Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification in North Carolina is mandatory.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Substance use treatmentIndividual counselingBehavioral observationCrisis interventionUtilization reviewPerson-centered planningAddiction counselingMental health supportRecovery assessment

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor at RHA Health 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 1,290 active Addiction Medicine (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

RHA Health Services ranks #16 of 23 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Addiction Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 46% are remote, 20% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

Addiction Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is up 4.9% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for North Carolina is 94.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 59.2% of North Carolina clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

50 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution50 jobs · 37 employers

19
<$75k
7
$75k-95k
6
$95k-115k
11
$115k-135k
7
$135k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks32 jobs

401k / retirement match
88% this job
CME allowance
25%
Sign-on bonus
16%
Loan repayment
16%
PSLF eligible
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Remote Licensed Professional Counselor-VirginiaContract

Adjuvant Behavior Health · Virginia Beach, Virginia

$66/hr
#2

Virtual School-based CounselorContract

Lets Therapy · Springfield, Pennsylvania

$66 per hour
#3

Licensed Therapist (LCSW or LPC)

#4

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Bilingual)

$65/hr
+ 48 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

6.6/ 10
Listing-based score

Top 25% in Addiction Medicine (Counseling)

Living in Asheville

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$455k
Typical market rent
$1,704/mo
Residents’ average commute
18 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
96.5
State income tax
Up to 4.8%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Asheville, NC metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

RHA Health Services logo

About RHA Health Services

Individual and Family Services
Asheville
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Payactiv (early access to earned wages)
Employee perks and discount program
Paid Time Off (full-time)
Health/Insurance (full-time)
401(k) retirement savings program
Wellbeing Programs
Chronic Disease Management Programs
Free CPR, first aid, and job-specific training