Drug And Alcohol Counselor Resume Examples

Drug and Alcohol Counselor Resume Examples by Experience Level

No matter where you are in your counseling career, your resume needs to highlight your unique skills and experience. Each stage calls for a different focus.

I break down resume examples for entry-level, mid-level, and senior counselors. This way, you see what works best for your current experience.

How to Write a Drug and Alcohol Counselor Resume

How to Write a Drug and Alcohol Counselor Resume

Resume Profile Example

Employment History Section

Education Section Example

Resume Skills Section and Example

ResumeJudge

Writing a drug and alcohol counselor resume means showing real experience, empathy, and credentials. You need to highlight your impact with clear numbers and results.

I always recommend starting with a strong profile. Then, focus on work history, education, and the skills that matter most in this field.

You want to show employers you understand addiction, treatment plans, and patient support. Each section of your resume helps tell that story.

Resume Profile Example

Your resume profile is your chance to show who you are as a drug and alcohol counselor. I use this space to highlight my unique approach and key strengths.

Keep it short-about three to five sentences works best. Talk about your biggest achievements, your counseling style, and your core values in therapy.

If you specialize in something, like opioid addiction or youth counseling, mention it here. This helps hiring managers know exactly what you bring to the table.

Use clear, confident language. You want recruiters to see your dedication, communication skills, and compassion right away.

Employment History Section

I always treat my employment history as more than just a list of jobs. I use it to show real impact-like reducing relapse rates or managing caseloads of over 30 clients.

You want to highlight promotions, new responsibilities, or key achievements in each role. Numbers help-think percentage drops in substance abuse or program completion rates.

Tailor each job description to fit the counselor role you want. This helps hiring managers see your strengths, whether you work in clinics, hospitals, or residential facilities.

Education Section Example

Most drug and alcohol counselor jobs want at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or addiction studies. Some employers look for a master’s degree or higher.

If you finish a supervised clinical practicum, add it here. You don’t need to list high school if you have a degree past that.

I always include my degrees, licenses, and any honors in this section. This helps hiring managers quickly see if I meet the job requirements.

Resume Skills Section and Example

Highlighting the right skills is key. I always start by listing both soft and hard skills. Empathy, active listening, and clear communication matter as much as clinical knowledge.

You want to show you can build trust, understand addiction patterns, and use evidence-based interventions. I check job ads for key skills recruiters mention, then match my list to those.

A solid skills section might look like this:

Skills

• Individual and group counseling
• Crisis intervention
• Treatment plan development
• Motivational interviewing
• Patient advocacy
• Addiction education
• Case management

This helps recruiters spot your strengths fast, making your resume stand out in a stack of 50+ applications.

Resume Layout and Formatting Tips

A solid resume layout helps you stand out-especially in counseling roles where clarity matters. Recruiters usually spend less than 10 seconds scanning each resume.

You want your information to be easy to find, so clean formatting and smart design choices go a long way. I always keep things simple and organized.

Related Resume Examples for Counselors

If you're looking at drug and alcohol counseling, you might want to explore other counselor resume examples too. Different specialties need unique skills and certifications.

I see a lot of people move between counseling roles. Checking out other examples can help you highlight your transferable skills and figure out what employers look for.