What to Expect as a Substance Abuse Social Worker
7 Min Read
Many social workers devote their careers to helping individuals overcome substance abuse. They fulfill vital roles in addiction treatment, rehabilitation counseling, and case management. They also impact public policy and legislature through community, state, and federal-level careers. Considering such diverse options, it can be difficult to know what to expect as a substance abuse social worker, and what skills you’ll need to thrive.
Why Choose Substance Abuse Social Work?
Those who specialize in substance abuse can have a profound impact on their clients, which is one reason that this career path is so rewarding. Imagine seeing a client conquer their drug addiction and make progress toward their goals, or signing your name in support of public policy for a prevention program in your state.
If these sound like worthwhile pursuits you’d like to focus on in your career, you’ll need a solid academic foundation plus specialized skills and experience. To navigate the complexities of substance use, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) states that these professionals have a responsibility to:
- Understand the various components of substance use, including abuse, dependency, and recovery.
- Work with clients to develop effective treatment plans using existing and emerging resources
- Develop evidence-informed practices1
Substance abuse social workers enact these goals as they work with diverse populations. Depending on their specific role, some assist individuals and families directly, and others provide community outreach or harm reduction programs. They also advocate for research, policy, and awareness at state and federal government levels.
Providing every job title for these professionals can be lengthy, so one way to categorize them is by the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. These three levels define the scope of social work careers, whether individually, with a group or community, or in larger organizations. Substance abuse social workers can apply their skills in unique roles within each level.
Take a One-On-One Approach at the Micro Level
Social workers at the micro level work with individuals, treating substance abuse as the primary or co-occurring concern. They are often known as counselors or specialists, and apply their skills in several settings:
- Counseling centers
- Family services
- Health practitioners’ offices
- Hospitals
- Outpatient care
- Private practice
- Residential facilities
Professionals in these roles usually need a bachelor’s degree plus state licensure. For those interested in providing psychotherapy, a clinically-focused MSW can provide the necessary knowledge, background, and skills. In programs like these, students will practice assessing clients, delivering trauma-informed care, and creating treatment plans.
The overall employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is expected to grow much faster than the average for other occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that about 42,000 openings will be available from 2022 to 2032.2 An MSW can lead to advancement and an increased salary potential. The top 10% of counselors earned more than $82,710 in May 2022; these professionals made above-average salaries in health care practitioners’ offices, hospitals, and home health care.2
Focus on Communities at the Mezzo Level
Substance abuse social workers at the mezzo level serve their community through research, outreach, education, prevention, and more. They need skills in evidence-based practice, motivational interviewing, mental health policy, and ethical leadership. Usually, these careers are focused on a specific population depending on a professional’s passions and skills. Work environments include:
- City councils
- Community centers
- Harm reduction centers
- Hospitals
- Nonprofits
- Police departments
- Reentry programs
- Schools
Mezzo-level professionals can also become advocates for geographic areas such as neighborhoods, townships, and cities. In these roles, social workers frequently conduct research and evidence-based practices for local communities. One example is a 2017 initiative in New York City that studied the potential for supervised injection facilities to reduce opioid overdose deaths.3 The project was funded by the New York City Council and enacted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). It spanned several years and required collaboration with health care providers, public health specialists, counselors, government officials, and more. In this scenario, social workers drew on advanced research skills and clinical experience as they explored the most important opioid issues in their community.
According to PayScale, MSW-prepared social workers who have community health expertise earned an average base salary of $52,476 in February 2024; patient education skills increased the average salary to $55,319.4
Impact Widespread Change at the Macro Level
Macro-level social workers, like mezzo-level, conduct research, advocate for communities, and strive for effective legislation. The difference between the two is in the scope of their careers. Macro-level professionals help develop and refine state, national, and international public policy in:
- Advocacy groups
- Government agencies
- Public service
- Research institutions
- State-sponsored organizations
Going back to the example, the 2017 Overdose Prevention in New York City report suggested supervised injection as an intervention to combat opioid overdose,3 and called for the support of community health organizations, local agencies, representatives, and government officials. Soon after, the New York City mayor began advocating for these facilities, and in 2021, the nation’s first two supervised drug injection sites opened in Manhattan.5 Because of the impact of these two sites, the New York City Council amended their Guidelines for Overdose Prevention Centers in 2023 to include supervised injection.6
Substance abuse social workers, both mezzo and macro, were a vital part of the process. In the coming years, these professionals will help assess the long-term effectiveness of injection sites and make recommendations to policymakers. With continued research and advocacy at the macro level, more states could establish supervised drug injection programs.
PayScale reports that MSW-prepared social workers with public policy expertise earned an average base salary of $73,000 as of July 2023.7 Job titles at this level can vary widely. Some examples are policy analysts, research directors, program coordinators, government program managers, and public policy directors. Because of their macro-level influence, these professionals need political, legislative, and legal advocacy skills in addition to a strong sense of ethics and social justice.
Are You Interested in Substance Abuse Social Work?
If you’re ready to engage, support, and empower those who are impacted by drug abuse, Utica University’s online MSW and online MSW Advanced Standing programs give you the skills to get there. You’ll explore the field through courses in trauma-informed practice, addiction theory, recovery values, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapies, and more.
Expert faculty mentors will help you prepare for your ideal career. Upon graduation, you’ll be able to support diverse and often marginalized populations using a psychodynamic, recovery-oriented lens. With your MSW degree, you will be academically eligible to sit for licensure exams in your state.
You can learn more about the online MSW or online Advanced Standing program by filling out a short request for information.
Sources
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW). “NASW Standards for Social Work Practice with Clients with Substance Use Disorders.” Retrieved on April 5, 2024, from https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/NASW-Practice-Standards-Guidelines/NASW-Standards-for-Social-Work-Practice-with-Clients-with-Substance-Use-Disorders.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.” Retrieved on April 5, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-1.
- NYC: The Official Website of the City of New York. “Overdose Prevention in New York City: Supervised Injection as a Strategy to Reduce Opioid Overdose and Public Injection.” Retrieved on April 5, 2024, from https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/public/supervised-injection-report.pdf.
- PayScale. “Average Social Worker (MSW) with Community Health Skills Salary.” Retrieved on April 5, 2024, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Social_Worker_(MSW)/Salary/20aab2fb/Community-Health.
- The New York Times. “Nation’s First Supervised Drug-Injection Sites Open in New York.” Nov. 30, 2021. Retrieved on April 5, 2024, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/nyregion/supervised-injection-sites-nyc.html.
- City & State. “NYC Health Department Publishes First Guidelines for Supervised Injection Sites.” Sept. 25, 2023. Retrieved on April 5, 2024, from https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2023/09/nyc-health-department-publishes-first-guidelines-supervised-injection-sites/390604/.
- PayScale. “Master of Social Work (MSW), Public Policy Analysis Degree.” Retrieved on April 5, 2024, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_of_Social_Work_(MSW)%2C_Public_Policy_Analysis/Salary.