An effective drug and alcohol counselor will develop treatment plans that benefit the client, the client’s family, and society at large. Addiction counselors work one-on-one with clients in therapeutic settings, determining the causes and triggers of their alcohol or drug abuse.Together, the client and counselor work to determine a treatment plan that will help the client to get clean or remain drug and alcohol free. substance abuse counselor who has a bachelor’s or master’s degree will not likely need any training before beginning a substance abuse counselor position. However, those counselors who have only a high school diploma do typically require training.