21-1011.00 · Task explorer
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors: reported tasks and exploration worksheet
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
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Read the task inventory
This source lists 23 tasks, including 23 marked Core and 0 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.
Task source dates: 08/2026.
23 tasks shown
Core · Task 5583 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
Core · Task 5592 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills.
Core · Task 5585 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
Core · Task 5584 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
Core · Task 5586 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
Core · Task 5593 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.
Core · Task 5588 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
Core · Task 5591 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers.
Core · Task 5587 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
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.
Core · Task 5596 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Participate in case conferences or staff meetings.
Core · Task 5598 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies.
Core · Task 5594 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
Core · Task 5603 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Supervise or direct other workers providing services to clients or patients.
Core · Task 5590 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status.
Core · Task 5600 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Instruct others in program methods, procedures, or functions.
Core · Task 5597 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Act as liaisons between clients and medical staff.
Core · Task 5589 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Provide clients or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary.
Core · Task 18623 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Train or supervise student interns or new staff members.
Core · Task 5595 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients or patients.
Core · Task 18622 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
Core · Task 5602 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Develop, implement, or evaluate public education, prevention, or health promotion programs, working in collaboration with organizations, institutions, or communities.
Core · Task 5601 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.
Core · Task 5599 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert
Confer with family members or others close to clients to keep them informed of treatment planning and progress.
Make the shortlist useful
- Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
- For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
- Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.
The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.
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Source and practice material
Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.
Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.