Substance Abuse Counselor
Listed compensation
$65K - $85K
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Benefits
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Vision Insurance
Interested candidates must submit an application via our website at renew360.org/careers. Please note that applications submitted through other platforms will not be considered.
About Us
Renew360° is a detoxification and residential substance use disorder treatment facility in Toms River, New Jersey, dedicated to helping individuals begin their journey to lasting recovery. We provide compassionate, evidence-based care that focuses on healing the mind, body, and spirit, recognizing that recovery is a personal journey and that every pathway deserves respect and support.
Our multidisciplinary team of licensed counselors, medical professionals, and addiction specialists works collaboratively to deliver high-quality, individualized care that improves lives. If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference and want to be part of a team that values compassion, integrity, collaboration, and excellence, we'd love to have you join us as we empower individuals, foster hope, and create opportunities for lasting change.
Job Purpose
The Substance Abuse Counselor is responsible for providing direct clinical services to clients receiving detoxification and short-term residential substance use disorder treatment at Renew360°.
This position delivers counseling, assessment, treatment planning, documentation, and care coordination services in accordance with New Jersey Department of Human Services (NJDHS), Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) regulations, applicable federal and state laws, accreditation standards, and Renew360° policies and procedures.
The Substance Abuse Counselor supports Renew360°’s mission by delivering ethical, evidence-based, and client-centered care.
Time Commitment
Full-Time; approximately 40 hours per week.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive clinical screenings for individuals seeking substance use treatment.
- Coordinate admissions for medical detox and residential treatment programs.
Provide individual, group, and family counseling services to clients diagnosed with substance use disorders in detoxification and short-term residential settings.
Conduct comprehensive substance use and biopsychosocial assessments in compliance with NJ DMHAS and ASAM Criteria requirements.
Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the client and interdisciplinary treatment team.
Facilitate structured clinical and psychoeducational groups, including relapse prevention, coping skills, and recovery-oriented programming.
Provide crisis intervention, client support, and clinical oversight during detoxification and early recovery phases.
Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings, case reviews, and care coordination activities.
Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation in accordance with NJ DMHAS, federal regulations (including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2), accreditation standards, and Renew360° policies.
Coordinate discharge planning and aftercare services, including referrals to appropriate levels of care and community resources.
Adhere to all confidentiality, ethical, and professional standards governing substance use disorder treatment.
Participate in clinical supervision, staff meetings, trainings, and performance improvement activities as required.
Maintain required licensure, certification, and continuing education in compliance with New Jersey regulations.
Comply with all Renew360° policies, procedures, and program standards.
Education Requirements
- Required:
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) issued by the New Jersey Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Preferred
Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field
Experience providing substance use disorder treatment in detoxification, residential, or co-occurring treatment settings
Additional
- Knowledge of ASAM Criteria, evidence-based treatment modalities, and recovery-oriented systems of care
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and exercise sound clinical judgment
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
- CPR/First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire)
- Ability to pass required background checks and meet all NJ regulatory employment requirements
Interested candidates must submit an application via our website at renew360.org/careers. Please note that applications submitted through other platforms will not be considered.
Key Responsibilities
The Substance Abuse Counselor provides direct clinical services, including assessments, individual and group counseling, and treatment planning for clients in a residential setting. They are responsible for maintaining accurate clinical documentation and coordinating discharge planning in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree and a CADC or LCADC certification issued by the New Jersey Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee. Experience in detoxification or residential substance use treatment settings is preferred.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 42% are remote, 42% have no call, 60% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for New Jersey is 108.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$75k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $69k in an average-cost state. 63.8% of New Jersey clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.6 / 10 · top 25% in substance use / addiction counselor | ranked against 1,008 Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $65k–$85k | Substance Use / Addiction Counselor median $60k (middle half $53k–$73k)15 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$69k in purchasing power | New Jersey index 108.8 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Addiction Medicine listings in New Jersey | 22 active | —live on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| All substance use / addiction counselor listings in New Jersey | 260 active | 12,796 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 42% remote · 42% no call · 60% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | New Jersey counselor listings (all specialties): 14% state a sign-on bonus (median $6k) · 7% offer loan repayment260 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Addiction Medicine listings | 434 in the last 30 days | 230 the 30 days before (+89%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Abuse Counselor at Renew360° a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Substance Use / Addiction Counselor — ranked against 1,008 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings on WeekdayDoc.
Top Counselor Jobs
30 matches · ranked by paySalary Distribution
30 jobs · 21 employersAnnual compensation range
Benefits & Perks
24 jobs · 21 employersShare of similar jobs offering each benefit
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW - LPCC - LMFT
LifeStance Health · Saint Louis Park, Minnesota
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)
LifeStance Health · Brookfield, Wisconsin
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)
$115k-$120kLicensed Mental Health Counselor (LMFT, LCSW, LPC)
$115k-$120k