Drug and Alcohol Counselor Cover Letter Examples

Drug and Alcohol Counselors are employed in a variety of mental health and substance abuse settings, including private practices, hospitals, and other health care settings.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Drug and Alcohol Counselor job outlook is expected to increase by 11% between 2016 and 2026.

The national average salary for a Drug and Alcohol Counselor is $45,000 per year.

What to Include in a Drug and Alcohol Counselor Cover Letter?

Roles And Responsibilities

Responsible for developing and maintaining a drug and alcohol treatment program.
Conducts intake assessments, treatment counseling sessions, and discharge planning sessions with clients.
Formulates individualized treatment plans based on the assessment of client needs.
Offers crisis intervention services to initiate recovery following acute episodes of substance abuse.
Provides case management services including the development of community resources.
Maintains documentation of clients’ progress in order to meet state requirements and conform to HIPAA standards.

Education & Skills

Drug and Alcohol Counselor Skills:

Behavioral assessment skills.
Communication skills.
Time management skills.
Compassion.
Empathy.
Self-awareness.
Interpersonal communication.

Drug and Alcohol Counselor Education Requirements:

According to the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), you should have at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology or social work if you want to become a drug and alcohol counselor.
Employers will also expect you to have completed some supervised clinical hours before being hired.

Drug and Alcohol Counselor Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the role of Drug and Alcohol Counselor at [Company Name]. I believe that my extensive experience as a drug and alcohol counselor for the past six years makes me an excellent fit for this opportunity. My resume demonstrates how I have been able to provide drug and alcohol counseling to patients with a variety of backgrounds and needs. I am a compassionate and patient professional who is determined to help others overcome their addiction issues.

I have extensive experience working in both residential treatment facilities as well as outpatient care centers, which has allowed me the opportunity to assist patients with different needs during various stages of their recovery process. I am skilled at utilizing evidence-based treatment plans and providing patients with the tools needed to continue their progress even after they leave treatment. I also possess previous experience in crisis intervention.

Some of my Achievements include:

Conducted psychosocial assessments, wrote treatment plans, led individual sessions, and chaired multi-disciplinary team meetings.
Conducted group therapy sessions for up to 20 people on an ongoing basis.
Helped clients achieve a 50% reduction in substance use.
Led sobriety support groups on the weekends

I have a passion for substance abuse counseling, and I believe that my commitment would be a great asset to your team. I look forward to meeting with you soon in order to learn more about this position and discuss my qualifications further.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Tips

As a drug and alcohol counselor, you already know how to create an individualized treatment plan for your patients. And as you aim to get the job, you’ll want to create a similar plan for yourself—and follow through with it. In this case, that means creating a cover letter that’s personalized to the employer (a crucial step in landing the interview) and following through with your plan by making sure that cover letter hits their desk.

Once you’ve written a great cover letter, it’s time to start working on your resume. Refer our Drug and Alcohol Counselor Resume Sample for more tips on how to write your resume and accompany it with a strong cover letter.