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.
Drug and alcohol worker
Drug and alcohol workers help people tackle their drug, alcohol or solvent misuse problems.
Average salary (a year)
£17,000 Starter
to£40,000 Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
30 to 32 a week
You could work
on call at short notice
How to become a drug and alcohol worker
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- volunteering
- applying directly
College
Apprenticeship
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, for an intermediate apprenticeship
More information
Work
You can be a support worker with few qualifications, as long as you have enough relevant experience and the qualities employers are looking for.
Volunteering and experience
Direct application
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.
More information
Further information
You can find out more about becoming a drug and alcohol worker from the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Practitioners and Turning Point.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
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
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
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
Working environment
You could work at a health centre, at a school, in the community or in a prison.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a volunteer coordinator, project team leader or service manager.Training opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
Apprentice Care Assistant
- Wage : £520.00 Monthly
- Location: Dorchester DT2 9LG
Care Practitioner- Apprentice
- Wage : £255.00 Weekly
- Location: Barking IG11 7FT
Courses In England
Psychology of addiction
- Provider: CITY LIT
- Start date: 05 May 2019
- Location: London
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