According to a recent article published in The Saratogian, New York State has obtained $500,000 in federal stimulus dollars to train people in the ever-rapidly-growing field of substance abuse and behavioral counseling.  While this is a good thing, it also points out the fact that the reason for this demand is not necessarily a good one.

On the up and up, more people are being referred to institutional as well as community-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers versus being imprisoned because advocates believe that more good will come out of rehabilitating someone who was a former drug or alcohol addict where they can hopefully turn their life around and learn from their past mistakes with drug and alcohol use versus just sitting in prison.  There is more motivation to do better for oneself outside of the prison walls.

The article goes on to state:

The state projects a 22 percent increase in counseling positions for the period from 2006 to 2016. At present, the average age of counselors is 53, meaning a large number of openings will be created through retirement….

There are an estimated 2.5 million people in New York state who need addiction services. It’s believed that veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan will need addiction services at a much higher rate than the general population, also creating demand for new counselors. The state is currently preparing 100 inpatient beds to serve returning veterans, all of which need staffing.

This means that there will definitely continue to be a high demand for substance abuse counselors.