Alcoholism Interventionist: Job Duties & Career Requirements

Job Description

Alcoholism intervention, or alcohol abuse intervention, is a specialization within the field of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling. The key duty of an alcoholism interventionist is to help an alcoholic's family and friends convince that person to seek treatment. He or she acts as an objective third party during an intervention, supporting a family to confront a person suffering from alcoholism in a firm, but loving manner. The alcoholism interventionist's role breaks into two parts: helping the friends and family to clarify and express their concerns, and helping overcome the alcoholic's sense of denial. Typical duties for an alcoholism interventionist include preparing friends and family for interventions, conducting interventions and making treatment referrals.

Educational Requirements

The educational requirements to become an alcoholism interventionist vary by location and place of employment. A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a field like counseling, family therapy or substance abuse therapy are often necessary to become an alcoholism interventionist. Coursework in a 4-year degree program includes individual therapy approaches, social and behavioral science, theory of substance abuse and counseling education.

Licensing Requirements

Many alcoholism interventionists are certified as drug and alcohol assessors or licensed as substance abuse counselors or family therapists; requirements for these certifications and licenses vary. A variety of certifications are also offered by the National Association of Drug and Alcohol Interventionists (NADAI) and include titles such as a Certified National Drug and Alcohol Interventionist, a 12-Step Recovery Facilitator and a Certified Addictions Counselor. The NADAI takes into account life experience for those lacking informal education.

Required Skills

To have a successful career in alcoholism intervention, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that workers should hold the following qualities:

• Ability to handle awkward and stressful situations gracefully
• Good communication skills
• Compassion and patience
• Active listening skills, including the ability to hear subtext (hurt through anger)