Drug and alcohol worker

You may be able to do an introductory course in substance misuse at a local college. You could then follow this up by doing a Level 1 or 2 Award in Substance Misuse Awareness.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

• funding advice
• search for courses

You could start out by completing an adult care worker intermediate apprenticeship then move into support work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You can be a support worker with few qualifications, as long as you have enough relevant experience and the qualities employers are looking for.

This is a job where volunteering is highly valued and can lead to paid work. You can find volunteering opportunities by contacting local substance misuse organisations listed on Frank.

Do-it has more information on general volunteering opportunities in your area.

You could apply directly to become a drug and alcohol worker. There are no formal entry requirements. You could have an advantage if you've got personal experience of addiction or dependency.

You may also come into this work from a variety of backgrounds, like nursing, criminal justice, social care, youth work or counselling. For example, you may have dealt with drug or alcohol-dependent patients as a nurse, or worked in the probation service, supporting offenders after their release.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a drug and alcohol worker from Turning Point.

You'll need:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• customer service skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

Your day-to-day duties might include:

• outreach work - visiting substance users and helping with immediate needs
• drop-in centre work - talking to clients about their needs and finding ways of supporting them towards recovery
• counselling and rehabilitation - giving support and dealing with the causes of substance misuse
• arrest referral work - supporting clients arrested for drug-related offences
• education and training - helping clients access services
• healthcare - working as a specialist nurse in an addiction clinic
• needle exchange - providing clean sharps and giving advice on how to use substances safely 

You could work at a health centre, at a school, in the community, in a prison or at an outreach centre.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.