A substance abuse counselor is responsible for helping people cope with their drug or alcohol disorders.  In order to accomplish this, a substance abuse counselor must counsel those that are addicted to drugs in order to help them identify the reasons for their addiction and to overcome the problems related to the addiction.

In addition to counseling addicted individuals, a substance abuse counselor also facilitates programs meant to help prevent addiction in the first places.  In order to work toward preventing addiction and to help those that are addicted, a substance abuse counselor will hold sessions for individuals, groups, and for families.