Introduction One career path I am considering for my future is that of a substance abuse counselor. Substance abuse counselors provide counseling and therapy to clients who wish to stop the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs. I am considering this field because of my personal experience with substance abuse and also a desire to help others toward recovery. To better understand this occupation, an acquaintance who works in the industry and has a similar background agreed to meet with me to discuss her career. Interview Summary I met Christine, an acquaintance I know through members of a twelve-step program. We met for about 20 minutes over coffee. As we talked I asked the questions I had prepared, omitting some and adding others based on the answers given. The list of questions is reproduced in the last section of this work. Christine works at an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in New Jersey, details of which have been intentionally omitted. His interest in the field is identical to mine; has a personal history of substance abuse. After achieving sobriety, he wanted to help others with his experience. This similarity is the main reason why I wanted to discuss this topic with her. Christine's current position requires a bachelor's degree in a health-related field, although she noted that other counselors in her workplace have master's degrees. She is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in the State of New Jersey. Certification involved verifying education and experience, completing an exam, and paying a fee. Christine is also a member of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). Membership in this organization... middle of paper... What do you do in group therapy? #13.) What do you do in family therapy? #14.) What does your job involve besides consulting? 15.) What is the best part of your job? 16.) What is the worst part of your job? 17.) What kind of money do you make? *18.) What are the benefits of your job? *19.) Do you think the best substance abuse counselors are recovering addicts themselves? Why or why not? 20.) What have you learned from working in the field? References Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2014). Counselors for substance abuse and behavioral disorders. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-and-behavioral-disorder-counselors.htmKuther, T. L., & Morgan, R. D. (2013). Careers in psychology: Opportunities in a changing world. (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning/Wadsworth. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning/Wadsworth.