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How exposed to AI is a Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor?

Of the 23 tasks O*NET lists for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, 4 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 14 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Addictions CounselorCase ManagerCertified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADAC)Chemical Dependency Counselor (CD Counselor)Chemical Dependency ProfessionalClinical CounselorCounselorDrug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist (DATS)Prevention SpecialistSubstance Abuse Counselor (SA Counselor)
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
23
tasks rated for this occupation
53%
hold a degree, from a survey of only 17
12 of 14
least protected in community and social work

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

4
  • Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions
  • Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills
  • Instruct others in program methods, procedures, or functions
  • Provide clients or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary

Only with software built on top

5
  • Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information
  • Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments
  • Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories
  • Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs
  • Develop, implement, or evaluate public education, prevention, or health promotion programs, working in collaboration with organizations, institutions, or communities

Cannot be sped up

14
  • Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes
  • Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples
  • Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans
  • Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies
  • Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status
  • Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers
  • Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations
  • Interview clients, review records, and confer with other professionals to evaluate individuals' mental and physical condition and to determine their suitability for participation in a specific program
  • Participate in case conferences or staff meetings
  • Act as liaisons between clients and medical staff
  • Train or supervise student interns or new staff members
  • Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients or patients
  • Confer with family members or others close to clients to keep them informed of treatment planning and progress
  • Supervise or direct other workers providing services to clients or patients
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.