Addiction and Recovery Support Worker

As an Addiction and Recovery Support Worker, you will support people who are experiencing problems with drugs, alcohol, or other addictive behaviours. You will help people build confidence, develop coping strategies, access services, and work towards their recovery goals to improve their health, wellbeing, and independence.

You may work in community centres, visit with people on the street, or attend events to give people information about drug and alcohol use and the support available.

Addiction and Recovery Support Worker is also known as Alcohol and Substance Worker, Recovery Coordinators, Specialist Community Drugs Worker, Specialist Community Alcohol Worker, Addiction and Recovery Practitioner.

Role Characteristics

Support people and help them reduce or stop their drinking or substance misuse
Develop treatment plans based on the needs of the person you are supporting
Promote healthier living to people and groups
Provide education and information about the effects of addiction and substance misuse
Advocate for people's needs and rights within healthcare and social service systems
Collaborate with family members to involve them in the recovery process and provide support

Skills

Advice giving
Active listening
Team work
Empathy
Communication
Observation

Day in the life

Watch this video to hear more about Adam's role as a Recovery Coordinator.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

Volunteering or work experience

GCSEs

BTEC, T-Level or A-Levels

Undergraduate degree

How to become

There are several ways to start a career as an Addiction and Recovery Support Worker, whether you're leaving education, looking for your first job, or changing careers.

Here are some ideas, and you can explore current opportunities in the section below.

Study a course or qualification – useful qualifications include GCSEs in English and Maths, as well as Health and Social Care, Psychology, Sociology, or Public Services related courses, T Levels and BTECs. These can all help you to develop knowledge, skills, and prepare for work. You can view some suggested courses below.
Volunteer – for a local charity, community organisation, recovery service, or support group to develop skills in communication, empathy, active listening, relationship-building, and supporting people through change.
Build workplace experience – both work and volunteering experience are really valued in this role. Your experience could be paid work, or work experience online or in person. Experience in customer service, community work, youth work, housing, or social support services can be particularly valuable.
Complete a pre-employment programme – a short course which supports you to gain confidence, skills, and experience, helping you prepare for work.
Apprenticeships – you can gain experience in the workplace whilst also studying a qualification in Health and Social Care, Adult Care, Community Health and Wellbeing, or a related subject.
Applying directly – employers will want you to have good English, maths, and IT skills. This does not always mean you need qualifications, but you may need to complete an assessment or skills test.
Moving from another role – think about how you'll be able to transfer your skills in supporting people, communication, behaviour change, problem-solving, community engagement, and person-centred care into an Addiction and Recovery Support Worker role. Coming from a background in nursing, criminal justice, social care, youth work or counselling can make for a great transition with many crossovers in skills and responsibilities.

Where can this role lead

From your role as an Addiction and Recovery Support Worker, you could specialise in supporting people with a wider range of emotional and psychological challenges as a Counsellor, or focus on supported unhoused individuals as a Rough Sleeping Outreach Worker. Your experience helping people make positive changes to their health and wellbeing could also help you move into a Health Trainer role.

Developing more direct care skills while building on your experience supporting vulnerable people could lead to roles such as Care Assistant, Learning Disabilities Support Worker, or a Mental Health Nurse with the appropriate training.

Your communication, advocacy, and relationship-building skills would also translate well to sideways moves such as Social Worker, Refugees and Asylum Seeker Support Worker, Community Development Support Worker, Debt Advisor, or Housing Officer.

Progression might look like applying your skills to train as an Adult Psychotherapist or Clinical Psychologist, or progressing into leadership positions such as Project Manager or Service Manager.

Location

Community Settings
Prisons
GP Practices
Hospitals
Peoples Homes

Working hours

Weekdays
Weekends
Part Time
Full Time
Casual Hours
Overtime
Flexible Hours

Opportunities

BTECs, T-levels or A-levels

Level 4/5 Counselling and Applied Psychology

The Pearson BTEC Higher National Certificate (Level 4) and Diploma (Level 5) in Counselling and Applied Psychology offer a comprehensive pathway into the field, combining theory with practical skills.

Organisation: Calderdale College

View opportunity

Undergraduate Degree

Undergraduate BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health

Learn how to improve the lives of those in need. You'll prepare for a challenging but rewarding career in health and social care on this counselling course.