Why are you the best candidate for us?

"Since substance abuse counseling isn't a one size fits all solution, I pride myself at being a problem solver who is known for thinking outside the box. With my experience and listening skills, your patients will be happy to have someone like me working to improve their lives and relationships."

The interviewer is giving you the chance to sell yourself. Tell the interviewer that you possess a combination of skills and experience that make you stand out from the crowd. Communicate that you can do the work and deliver exceptional results. Tell the interviewer that you will fit in beautifully and be a great addition to the team. When you answer this question, gear your personality traits, work experience, and skills towards the job description.

"I bring experience and knowledge from a diverse skill set. I'm loyal and reliable. I like to be challenged and multi-task."

What are your salary expectations?

"I'd rather not commit to that quite yet. However, I'm sure you are consistent with the market, and I would love to hear the starting salary for this position."

This can be a tricky question if it comes up. It is best to avoid this topic unless it comes up by the interviewer. Turn the tables and allow the interviewer to answer this question for you. If the interview turns awkward, move on and allow the interviewer to ask a new question.

"I'm currently making $65K per year. I would love to hear what the starting salary is for this position."

What would you suggest if a patient slips or relapses?"‹

"Having a strong support system can help an addict realize that they have value and that it's worth continuing treatment despite the relapse. Just because this has occurred does not mean that treatment has to start over from the beginning."

The interviewer asks this question to see how you would handle this common situation in substance abuse counseling. Start by telling the interviewer that you would remind the patient that they can still return to recovery and succeed. The sooner someone can stop using again, the better chances they have at minimizing the damage. Next, discuss your treatment plan and way forward.

"The key is continued treatment and a commitment to recovery. If relapse occurs, it does not indicate treatment failure, but simply the body's resistance to recovery."

Explain what "relapse" is in a substance abuse patient.

"In the case of a relapse, I've had to alter my counseling schedule and introduce more individual counseling for a maximum of four weeks. I also recommend regular urine testing. Associating with old friends who still have bad habits has been the biggest reason my patients relapse."

While treating patients, you may come across the patient thinking they can moderate or use again without becoming addicted, romanticize about drug use in the past, or even show signs of isolation or withdrawal. Explain these types of signs that you see in your patients who have relapsed and how you treat them.

"If I've noticed that my patient has had a change in social relationships or disengaged with their support groups, it may suggest that they have relapsed."

Explain what "slip" is in a substance abuse patient.

"A slip is an extremely short-lived situation and does not take away from someone's motivation to stay sober and recover from their addictions."

As a Substance Abuse Counselor, you know that a slip is a situation where someone has a very brief 'slip' where they drink or use, but they stop quickly afterward, avoiding a full relapse into addiction. Explain to the interviewer that this happens when a person decides to use again but instantly regrets their decision. Then, tell the interviewer how you would treat the slip in your patient.

" A slip is a short-lived lapse in treatment. If this were the second or third slip, I would extend their stay in rehabilitation by 2 to 4 weeks."

How do you monitor the progress of treatment?

"One of the easiest ways for me to monitor the progress of treatment is through the results of urine tests."

Besides monitoring the progress of treatment through one-on-one sessions, tell the interviewer the other ways you monitor your patient's treatment. For example, you may check attendance records, revisit their treatment goals with them, or ask the patient how they are progressing. The interviewer may ask you for a specific example, so have a situation ready to share.

"When it comes to treatment, I encourage feedback from the patient. The patient's self-rating of progress toward achieving treatment goals gives me an idea of how they feel they are doing and if I need to adjust my counseling style."

What sectors or professional environments have you worked in?

"I've volunteered in a nursing facility for the past 6 months and worked at our local hospital. I'm looking forward to the chance to work in your detox center where patients will be working towards getting clean."

Don't be concerned if this interview is for your first job out of school. Tell the interviewer about the type of environment you worked in while being an intern or a volunteer. Be sure to show your excitement about the chance to work in their professional environment. Highlight how you would be the best fit to work in that particular location.

"I've spent my career helping former drug addicts, prisoners, and psychiatric patients adjust to life in general society through various halfway houses in our community. I'm looking forward to the possibility of working alongside other medical professionals within your hospital."

What psychological signs of drug abuse do you look for in your patients?

"When my patient displays paranoid thinking, it is my cue to dig deeper to determine a slip or a relapse."

As a Substance Abuse Counselor, you often have to tap into your psychology training. Tell the interviewer what type of signs you look for when interviewing new patients, leading group sessions, or reconnecting with a patient who has been non-compliant with treatment. Tell the interviewer what steps you take when you identify unusual mood swings, lack of motivation, or if your patient seems fearful for no reason.

"When my patient displays abnormal changes in personality and attitude, such as anxiety and unexplained hyperactivity, those are my cues to ask more about the patient's drug use."

Do you use motivational incentives with your patients?

"I've found that motivational incentives increase retention and higher rates of abstinence for patients participating."

The interviewer is asking this question to determine whether or not you use positive reinforcement in your treatment. If motivation incentives are part of your treatment plans, give an example.

"I do provide motivational incentives for my patients after each clean urine test. A few motivational incentives that I offer are food and gift cards to local businesses and bus tickets."

What are the main challenges that your patients face?

"Managing anger and emotions is a common challenge that my patients face. I encourage vocalizing their anger before it turns into aggression."

As a Substance Abuse Counselor, you may help your patients manage their negative emotions, build on their problem-solving skills, and improve their moral reasoning. The interviewer is asking this question to hear more about your counseling style and what experience you have. Answer this question with a recent situation or a few ways you encourage your patients to overcome their challenges.

"Cognitive distortions are common challenges that I assist my patients to work through. When my patients perceive reality inaccurately, they reinforce negative thoughts and emotions and can delay our treatment significantly."

In addition to substance abuse treatment by a counselor, what other services may your patients require?

"I often work alongside medical professionals to determine psychological and mental disorders that my patients might be suffering from."

As a Substance Abuse Counselor, you may be part of a multidisciplinary team providing various treatments to your patients. Whether with another medical professional, legal professional, or vocational skills counselor, explain your relationship with these local professionals in your community and how you all work together to assist your patients.

"In addition to substance abuse treatment, I coordinate family-oriented services that assist with reunification, childcare, and visitation assistance."

What are your career goals?

"My goal right now is to find a position at a company where I can grow and take on new challenges over time. Ultimately, I'd like to assume more management responsibilities and get involved in community projects. But most importantly, I want to work for an organization where I can build a career."

Now is not the time to be clever and tell the interviewer that you plan on being in his position in 5 years. Your career goals could include working in another department within their hospital, teaching more classes to large audiences, or even finishing your Master's degree. Whatever direction you are looking to go, make it something that will better yourself.

"A career goal that I've set for myself for the next 5 years includes working with Military Veterans suffering from addiction. In addition, I want to be a part of finding solutions for our temporary housing crisis."

How do you handle stressful situations?

"I can cope with stressful situations very well. Not only my situations, but I advise patients on how to handle their stressful situations. When handling stressful situations, I stay motivated by thinking about the end result. I've found that during a challenging situation, I remind myself of my goals, and it helps me take a step back and stay positive."

This is a common interview question for any mental health position. As a Substance Abuse Counselor, you'll experience stressful situations daily. You may encounter work tension, stressful client situations, or even stressful situations out of your control. When answering this question, be sure to be calm and precise. The interviewer will notice how you answer this question and relate it to how you handle stressful situations.

How do you build trust with a patient?

"As a Counselor, I want to come across as calm, competent, and in control of the situation. I want my patients to trust me, and that starts with being patient and truly listening to what they have to say. I believe that trust is built over time. Another big part of building trust is patient confidentiality. My patients learn over time that what they say to me is completely confidential."

Building trust with your patients is an essential part of being a successful Substance Abuse Counselor. Describe how you earn their trust and the methods that have worked for you. Describe step by step how you work on building trust with your patients.

How do you manage a large workload?

"To manage a large workload, I have to prioritize my tasks. I'll first create a to-do list, review my workload regularly, and set realistic deadlines for my tasks. If I find that my workload is too large to handle by myself, I am not afraid to ask for help."

As a successful Substance Abuse Counselor, you have become a multi-tasker. Tell the interviewer how you prioritize your workload to avoid getting overworked and behind. If your workload is unmanageable, explain how you ask your co-workers for help. Asking for help and offering help will show the interviewer that you are a true team player.

"I arrive 20 minutes early to work each day. This gives me time to grab a cup of coffee, review my patient's charts, prioritize my to-do list, and get started as soon as the workday begins."

Why did you become a substance abuse counselor?

"I helped a loved one fight addiction before I started college. My passion for helping people helped me realize that I was choosing the right career field."

Besides the fact that you have the experience and the education to support this career, give an example about what made you choose this line of work. Take this time to explain to the interviewer what events, schooling, and experiences you've had that made you want to pursue this career. Feel free to tell a story about why you chose this line of work but be sure to keep it short and not too detailed.

"I enjoy helping people from all walks of life and am fascinated by the inner workings of the mind."

If a patient was not recovering as planned, how would you react, and what new steps would you typically take?

"Substance abuse counseling is always a work in progress. If a patient wasn't recovering as planned, we would readdress the problem areas and come up with a new treatment plan."

Set-backs happen in the mental health field. Being able to identify them and help your patient work through them while staying on track and motivated is the hard part. Tell the interviewer about a time a patient relapsed and got back on track with your help. Tell the interviewer that you encourage your patient to reflect on what happened and be brutally honest with themselves as to why it happened.

"When first meeting with a patient and discussing our treatment plan, I make sure the patient understands and accepts that failure is part of the recovery process. If the patient encountered setbacks, we would take them one step at a time and work through them."

What kind of supervisor gets the best work performance from you?

"I appreciate a work environment where supervisors try to make personal connections with their employees."

This question is aimed at revealing what kind of worker you are. It will be important not to bad-mouth your past employer or answer negatively in any way. Rather than using soft descriptions, such as personality traits, mention specific behaviors that you appreciate as an employee. Tell the interviewer if you like to have regular check-ins or be consulted before moving forward with a project.

"I work best for a supervisor that makes it clear what their expectations are from day one."

Describe your counseling style.

"I have more of a question and answer counseling style rather than me lecturing them or telling them what to do. I encourage my patients to ask questions so I can be sure they fully understand what I'm asking of them and that they know the importance of living a clean life."

The interviewer is asking this question to find out a bit more about your particular style of therapy. Tell the interviewer how you instruct (provide information), guide (encourage the person to find his or her own goals and achieve them), and listen (understand the person's experience and feelings). How you describe this counseling session will make or break this interview question. Too lax, and it will seem as if you don't care about the patient. Too firm, and you might intimidate the question. Try to find a nice balance.

"My counseling style is organic and client-led. The clients' personalities and situations dictate the focus of sessions, treatment, and theories. I use a lot of listening and validation to increase self-esteem and self-pride. I join with the client and have conversations with them, sometimes taking on more leadership roles, sometimes more equal casual roles."

How do you manage confrontations with patients??

"When dealing with a patient confrontation, I make sure I never raise my voice or talk down to a patient. I take the time to listen to their concerns and let them get everything out before we start over and work on a plan together."

As a Substance Abuse Counselor, you may encounter confrontations from your clients. Clients can get angry about diagnosis, what is discussed during sessions, or out of the blue as they are trying to recover. Tell the interviewer how you manage these types of confrontations. Answer this question by telling the interviewer how you may enlist the help of a co-worker or follow a step-by-step list of instructions set by your clinic.

"When handling patient confrontation, I always take the time to listen and help them come up with a solution to their problem."

What individual has had the greatest influence on you?

"My first supervisor had a reputation for being no-nonsense, so I was a bit intimidated to be assigned to her department. I soon found that although she had high expectations of her team members, she had equally high expectations of herself. She always demonstrated integrity and honesty. I learned a lot from her about how to supervise and motivate a team and how to convey professionalism at all times. I aspire to apply these principles as a manager in the near future."

The interviewer wants to hear more about a professional or personal relationship you've had with a mentor who has helped you succeed in your profession as a Substance Abuse Counselor. Tell the interviewer about a relative who instilled a strong work ethic or a professor who encouraged you to think outside the box.

"My Sociology professor always encouraged us to march to our own drum. His creativity and insightfulness made me realize that I wanted to pursue merging art and the mental health field to treat my patients."

What three words would you use to describe yourself?

"I would describe myself as being driven, meticulous, and reliable."

This question is a shorter version of 'tell us about yourself.' Avoid the common answers such as 'team player' and 'organized' as the interviewer has heard these before. Describing yourself as loyal, honest, and confident will suggest that you are not only good at your job but that you are a kind-natured person. You may choose to answer this question that you are ambitious, diligent, and hard-working, suggesting that you are motivated to work towards a leadership position if given the chance.

"I see myself as motivating, communicative, and flexible within my professional interactions, as well as treatment with my patients."

How do you adapt to a wide variety of people, situations, and environments?

"I had the opportunity to work overseas with a diverse population. My co-workers and I led a very successful therapy group despite the language barriers and environment."

As a Substance Abuse Counselor, you will have a wide variety of patients and the opportunity to assess their situations in different environments. There isn't a one-size-fits-all for working with addiction, so make sure to tell the interviewer that. Use specific examples, excluding names, that show you are a well-rounded counselor and that you can take on any challenge that is thrown your way.

"When I started my current position two years ago, I agreed to the position assuring the director that I would refresh and work on my Spanish speaking skills. At the time, I was familiar with very little vocabulary but worked through it with my clients and became fluent after that first year."

How would your colleagues describe you?

"My co-workers would describe me as being reliable, knowledgeable, and empathetic to my patients."

When answering this question, you will want to consider qualities that are relevant to this position. Good communication skills, attention to detail, and a technical mindset are all important characteristics for any Substance Abuse Counselor. Tell your interviewer about having a good attitude when faced with difficulty or being willing to go above and beyond expectations to help someone out.

"My co-workers would describe me as being hard-working and trustworthy. I've never been late to work, and I never leave the office early when I have a task to complete. I am trustworthy because it is something I've earned with my clients as well as my co-workers."

What would your former employer say about you?

"My boss would describe me as hard-working, knowledgeable, and always up for a challenge. I'm often the one who helps with client load without being asked, the one who others come to with questions, and the clinician who is always willing to take on tasks that I'm unfamiliar with simply because I want to learn and become a better counselor."

Feel free to name-drop when answering this question. Tell the interviewer if your boss recognized you for a job well done. Tell the interviewer if your boss positively commented on your punctuality, the fact that you never called out sick, and that you were dependable. Think of the traits that make an ideal employee in the eyes of a boss. Added bonus if your boss will write a letter of recommendation for you.

"My boss would describe me as being dependable, knowledgeable, and a hard worker."

Why are you seeking new employment?

"I've been honing my group counseling skills for a few years now, and, first and foremost, I'm looking for a position where I can continue to exercise those skills."

Don't get hung up on this answer. Of course, you'd love for your new position to pay extremely well, have an effortless commute, and ensure access to nap rooms during all work hours, but that's not going to impress your interviewer. Answer this question by highlighting your skills and talk about how you're looking for a place where you can use them.

"Not only is one on one counseling important to me, but being able to also present my findings and suggestions directly to my colleagues excites me. I'm always very motivated by being able to see the impact of my work on other people and how I can share my knowledge with others."

What was your biggest disappointment as a substance abuse counselor?

"One of my psychology 201 exams didn't go as planned. It forced me to re-evaluate my study habits which improved my test scores."

When answering this question, you don't want to sound arrogant. Don't try to convince the interviewer that you have never been disappointed. Answer this question with a response that will allow you to showcase your resilience and your ability to overcome a problem. Steer clear of a response like 'you were disappointed you burnt dinner' it might suggest you are hiding something or that you truly aren't prepared for the interview.

"Working with patients that slip or relapse can always be disappointing"‹. I have to remember that setbacks are common and we have to just come together to find a way forward."

What is your greatest accomplishment as a substance abuse counselor?

"One of my professional accomplishments has been organizing a 12-step program in our community that has been going strong for 6 months now. A personal achievement I accomplished this year was running my first 1/2 marathon."

When answering this interview question, you will want to choose an achievement that you are genuinely proud of, something that is true to you. The interviewer should be able to see your passion when telling the story. This answer can be a career achievement or a personal achievement. Keep your answer positive and professional.

What is your greatest weakness?

"Public speaking has always been a weakness of mine. I have asked my current supervisor to keep me in mind whenever there is an opportunity to address a group of people so I can work on making this one of my strengths."

When answering this question, remember that the interviewer is not looking for someone who is perfect. Describe something that is a true weakness you want to improve upon. Explain how you are working to improve that weakness and make it a strength.

"Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that helped my organization skills. Now, I have a system that helps me keep on track and not fall behind on appointments."

What is your greatest strength?

"My greatest strength is my ability to encourage patients to open up to me. I've dedicated these past four years to constantly working on my communication skills with patients, and I value their outcome."

This is a very common interview question. Tell the interviewer that you are the best person for the job and that you have qualities, skills, and experiences that set you apart from the competition. If leading a team is your strength, let the interviewer know and that you are someone who will make an excellent addition to the team.

"I have an extremely strong work ethic. I try my best in everything, from coming to work 15 minutes early each day to my attention to detail while documenting in charts."

Substance Abuse Counselor Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Why are you the best candidate for us?
2. What are your salary expectations?
3. What would you suggest if a patient slips or relapses?"‹
4. Explain what "relapse" is in a substance abuse patient.
5. Explain what "slip" is in a substance abuse patient.
6. How do you monitor the progress of treatment?
7. What sectors or professional environments have you worked in?
8. What psychological signs of drug abuse do you look for in your patients?
9. Do you use motivational incentives with your patients?
10. What are the main challenges that your patients face?
11. In addition to substance abuse treatment by a counselor, what other services may your patients require?
12. What are your career goals?
13. How do you handle stressful situations?
14. How do you build trust with a patient?
15. How do you manage a large workload?
16. Why did you become a substance abuse counselor?
17. If a patient was not recovering as planned, how would you react, and what new steps would you typically take?
18. What kind of supervisor gets the best work performance from you?
19. Describe your counseling style.
20. How do you manage confrontations with patients??
21. What individual has had the greatest influence on you?
22. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
23. How do you adapt to a wide variety of people, situations, and environments?
24. How would your colleagues describe you?
25. What would your former employer say about you?
26. Why are you seeking new employment?
27. What was your biggest disappointment as a substance abuse counselor?
28. What is your greatest accomplishment as a substance abuse counselor?
29. What is your greatest weakness?
30. What is your greatest strength?

Substance Abuse Counselor Interview Questions

1. Why are you the best candidate for us?

2. What are your salary expectations?

3. What would you suggest if a patient slips or relapses?"‹

4. Explain what "relapse" is in a substance abuse patient.

5. Explain what "slip" is in a substance abuse patient.

6. How do you monitor the progress of treatment?

7. What sectors or professional environments have you worked in?

8. What psychological signs of drug abuse do you look for in your patients?

9. Do you use motivational incentives with your patients?

10. What are the main challenges that your patients face?

11. In addition to substance abuse treatment by a counselor, what other services may your patients require?

12. What are your career goals?

13. How do you handle stressful situations?

14. How do you build trust with a patient?

15. How do you manage a large workload?

16. Why did you become a substance abuse counselor?

17. If a patient was not recovering as planned, how would you react, and what new steps would you typically take?

18. What kind of supervisor gets the best work performance from you?

19. Describe your counseling style.

20. How do you manage confrontations with patients??

21. What individual has had the greatest influence on you?

22. What three words would you use to describe yourself?

23. How do you adapt to a wide variety of people, situations, and environments?

24. How would your colleagues describe you?

25. What would your former employer say about you?

26. Why are you seeking new employment?

27. What was your biggest disappointment as a substance abuse counselor?

28. What is your greatest accomplishment as a substance abuse counselor?

29. What is your greatest weakness?

30. What is your greatest strength?