Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Massachusetts
Substance Abuse Counselor jobs in Massachusetts are in strong and sustained demand, concentrated across community health centers, hospital systems, outpatient behavioral health clinics, and state-funded treatment programs, with openings at every level from entry-level case aide to licensed senior clinician. Boston, Worcester, and Springfield anchor most of the hiring, with well-established employers such as Fenway Health, Tufts Medicine, and the Vinfen Corporation accounting for a consistent share of openings. Recovery coaching, co-occurring disorders treatment, and medication-assisted treatment support are the specialties recruiters request most often in Massachusetts postings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 14+ Substance Abuse Counselor jobs
Join Eliot – A Place to Belong, Grow, and Inspire Change
At Eliot, your work has purpose. You’ll be part of a compassionate, mission-driven team committed to resilience, empowerment, and lasting change. We foster an inclusive workplace where all backgrounds and perspectives are valued, creating a culture of belonging and professional growth.
Benefits at Eliot
We prioritize your well-being, work-life balance, and career growth. Benefit eligible positions include:
- Generous Paid Time Off – Vacation, sick time, and paid holidays
- Comprehensive Benefits – Medical, dental, and vision plans
- Retirement Savings – 401(k) with employer match
- Wellness & Family Support – Discounted fitness services and access to trusted childcare resources
- Financial Security – 100% company-paid life and accidental death insurance
- Professional Growth – Ongoing training, career advancement programs, tuition reimbursement, and leadership development
Eliot is seeking a strong, experienced and licensed Substance Abuse Counselor to join our Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) division. Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) provides clinically focused evidenced based interventions to adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Services are person centered and are delivered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals in either residential or community based settings. The ideal candidate will have experience in developing and leading dual diagnosis groups, and be skilled in motivational interviewing, harm reduction strategies, twelve-step programs, and working within detoxification settings.
Responsibilities:
- Provide direct support to individuals with substance use providing side by side interventions as needed.
- Promote recovery through individual intervention and support groups
- Assist clients and other team members with identifying and obtaining community support for sustained recovery and support.
- Participate in assessments and treatment planning for clients.
- Provide comprehensive recovery based care and clinical interventions as part of a multidisciplinary team
Qualifications:
- Requires license (see below):
- Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor I (LADC I)
- Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (LADC II)
- CADC I or II (Certified Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counselor)
- At least 2 years of experience working with adults with substance use disorders
- Valid Massachusetts drivers license
Schedule:
Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
Annual Salary:
$49,680 USD - $58,680 USD
At Eliot, we are committed to supporting you at every stage of your career, providing opportunities for growth, purpose, and community. We foster belonging in the workplace by identifying and removing barriers that may prevent individuals of all backgrounds from reaching their full potential, advancing into leadership roles, and fully engaging at all levels of the organization.
Apply today and make a difference.
Join Eliot – A Place to Belong, Grow, and Inspire Change
At Eliot, your work has purpose. You’ll be part of a compassionate, mission-driven team committed to resilience, empowerment, and lasting change. We foster an inclusive workplace where all backgrounds and perspectives are valued, creating a culture of belonging and professional growth.
Benefits at Eliot
We prioritize your well-being, work-life balance, and career growth. Benefit eligible positions include:
- Generous Paid Time Off – Vacation, sick time, and paid holidays
- Comprehensive Benefits – Medical, dental, and vision plans
- Retirement Savings – 401(k) with employer match
- Wellness & Family Support – Discounted fitness services and access to trusted childcare resources
- Financial Security – 100% company-paid life and accidental death insurance
- Professional Growth – Ongoing training, career advancement programs, tuition reimbursement, and leadership development
Eliot is seeking a strong, experienced and licensed Substance Abuse Counselor to join our Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) division. Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) provides clinically focused evidenced based interventions to adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Services are person centered and are delivered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals in either residential or community based settings. The ideal candidate will have experience in developing and leading dual diagnosis groups, and be skilled in motivational interviewing, harm reduction strategies, twelve-step programs, and working within detoxification settings.
Responsibilities:
- Provide direct support to individuals with substance use providing side by side interventions as needed.
- Promote recovery through individual intervention and support groups
- Assist clients and other team members with identifying and obtaining community support for sustained recovery and support.
- Participate in assessments and treatment planning for clients.
- Provide comprehensive recovery based care and clinical interventions as part of a multidisciplinary team
Qualifications:
- Requires license (see below):
- Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor I (LADC I)
- Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (LADC II)
- CADC I or II (Certified Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counselor)
- At least 2 years of experience working with adults with substance use disorders
- Valid Massachusetts drivers license
Schedule:
Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
Annual Salary:
$49,680 USD - $58,680 USD
At Eliot, we are committed to supporting you at every stage of your career, providing opportunities for growth, purpose, and community. We foster belonging in the workplace by identifying and removing barriers that may prevent individuals of all backgrounds from reaching their full potential, advancing into leadership roles, and fully engaging at all levels of the organization.
Apply today and make a difference.
See All 14 Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSubstance Abuse Counselor Jobs by City in Massachusetts
Where Massachusetts roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Substance Abuse Counselor Job Market in Massachusetts
A snapshot from current Massachusetts openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Government & Public Sector
What Massachusetts Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in substance abuse counselor jobs across Massachusetts.
- Active LADC I or LADC II credential issued or recognized by Massachusetts
- Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related human services field
- Experience conducting individual and group substance use disorder counseling sessions
- Familiarity with Massachusetts BSAS billing and documentation standards for treatment programs
- Knowledge of motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based treatment models
- Ability to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and community referral networks in Massachusetts
Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a substance abuse counselor in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires substance abuse counselors to hold a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential, either LADC I or LADC II, issued through the Massachusetts Board of Substance Use Disorder Counselor Certification. Candidates must complete an approved education program in counseling or a related field, accumulate supervised clinical hours, and pass the IC&RC ADC examination. Most employers also expect some experience with co-occurring mental health conditions before hiring at the full counselor level.
Which companies hire substance abuse counselors in Massachusetts?
Employers hiring substance abuse counselors in Massachusetts right now include Eliot Community Human Services, Health Care Resource Centers, and BayMark Health Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Massachusetts's dense network of community health centers, state-contracted residential programs, and integrated behavioral health practices means hiring is spread across both large systems and smaller community-based organizations throughout the state.
Which Massachusetts cities have the most substance abuse counselor jobs?
Chicopee, Lynn, and Boston have the most substance abuse counselor openings in Massachusetts. Boston's concentration of hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, and harm-reduction organizations drives the largest share of postings, while Worcester and Springfield reflect strong state investment in community-based recovery services and residential treatment capacity in those regions.
Are there remote substance abuse counselor jobs in Massachusetts?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of substance abuse counselor openings tied to Massachusetts are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting that most of this work requires in-person sessions, urine drug screening oversight, and direct crisis intervention. Telehealth counseling roles and clinical supervision positions are the most likely to offer partial remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a substance abuse counselor in Massachusetts with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a recovery coach or substance use disorder counselor aide role, which Massachusetts community health centers and residential programs routinely hire for without requiring full LADC licensure. Organizations such as Vinfen, Bay State Community Services, and Brockton Area Multi-Services hire entry-level case managers and recovery support specialists who build supervised hours toward LADC certification. Completing a Massachusetts Board-approved counselor trainee registration and any peer recovery specialist training gives candidates a measurable edge in applications.
Where can I find and apply to substance abuse counselor jobs in Massachusetts?
You can find and apply to substance abuse counselor jobs in Massachusetts on Migrate Mate, which lists current Massachusetts openings across community health centers, hospital systems, residential programs, and outpatient clinics. Find roles that fit your credentials and experience level and apply directly.
See All 14 Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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