Key Reasons to Work in Addictions

If you are searching for the right career path or in need of a strong purpose in life, becoming an Addictions & Community Health Worker might be right for you.  

As a skilled Addictions & Community Health Professional, you can have a rewarding career in a wide range of community health settings. From social service agencies where you work with children and families to programs for populations dealing with substance misuse and family violence, there is no shortage of professions to choose from. 

If you’ve always dreamed of a career that allows you to help others and truly make an impact in peoples’ lives, then consider becoming an Addictions & Community Health Professional. 

Let’s take a closer look at the reasons to enroll in a program that provides the knowledge and skills to support those with addiction and mental health challenges.  

1. You Want To Make A Difference

Are you a caring person who longs to help others? Do you want to make an impact in your community? To be successful in the field of addictions and mental health, you must have a deep desire to help people. Many consider this field of work a vocation because it requires such dedication.  

You also must possess a great deal of patience, empathy, and resilience, as you guide and encourage individuals dealing with addiction and mental health challenges.  

2. It Is A Rewarding Career Choice

If you’re tired of feeling unfulfilled at work or your job seems purposeless, then earning your Addictions & Community Health Professional diploma might be a move in the right direction. 

The working professionals in this field dedicate their careers to helping individuals develop the skills and coping mechanisms needed to overcome the obstacles in their lives. This is an extremely important role in the maintenance of a well-functioning society. This dedication to providing life-changing support in the face of challenging situations leads to a great level of job satisfaction and ultimately, a better society for us all to enjoy.  

3. There Is An Array Of Job Prospects

Graduates of Addictions & Community Health Diplomas enjoy a wide range of career opportunities in mental health centres, social service and outreach agencies, and corrections facilities. 

You may wish to work with families and want to become a Family Support Worker. Or maybe you have a passion for children and youth and think you might enjoy becoming a Residential Youth Care Worker. Some people become Addictions Support Workers and others work in women’s shelters. Once you earn your diploma and become a skilled professional in this field, there is plenty of room to pivot your position and even more room to grow, both as a care worker and as a person.  

For Social and community service workers, new job openings are expected to total about 68,000 by the year 2028. Given the major needs in the social services sector, job creation is projected to be above the average of all occupations, fueled by the public’s greater awareness of social issues such as population aging, mental health, and violence. 

4. You Enjoy Non-Stop Learning & Personal Growth

As an Addictions & Community Health Professional, you often find yourself working outside your comfort zone. Certain roles, people, and situations will inevitably challenge you and encourage you to reflect on yourself and the work that you provide. These challenges propel you toward personal growth and development.  

Many who are long-term recovered addicts choose this career path because they understand the struggle vulnerable populations face. This lived experience helps them to take a more empathetic approach to care, something that is so important in this field of work.

Why Study At Sundance?

At Sundance College, we provide an accelerated Addictions & Community Health Diploma program, which is recognized by the Canadian Addictions Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF). Our program combines theoretical knowledge with a workplace practicum to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of addiction and recovery from addiction.  

Industry-experienced instructors guide and support you as you prepare for your new career. Courses include the psychology of addiction, relapse prevention and intervention, as well as a focus on family dynamics, interviewing, and counseling. 

Visit our website to find out more about our Addictions & Community Health Diploma program or fill out the Request Info form and one of our Admissions Advisors will be in contact to answer your questions.