A day in the life of a substance abuse counselor who is employed by a not for profit organization.

Get up early- earlier than the norm because you have to finish the paperwork due for court today because you stayed too late last night dealing with a client who had tested positive for cocaine. Do you drive to work in a nice car? Well some can and do- including you, but the majority of your co workers are just glad their vehicle actually made it to work that day.

Arrive at work and be told that three of your co- workers called in sick. It will be up to you to pick up the slack, to include working late to do so and so's group.

Paperwork crunch time, do not bother me, you wish you had a sign to wear around your neck alerting your clients as well as other clients you do not have the time today.

Back from courtthree hours later. Your client has received an extension to work with CPS regarding custody of her children.

Lunch? Grab a candy bar of some sort as you are off to deliver UA's for testing.

Back in time for class and groups. Sessions will have to wait. More paperwork is piling up. More clients are demanding your time. More, More, More.
Time for so and so's group. More paperwork on top of paperwork.
You finally leave for home. You are tired. So tired. Hungry? Dinner with friends? Dinner with family? It's too late. You get home, take your shoes off and before you know it the alarm rings and it's morning again.

A day in the life of a substance abuse counselor employed for a for profit company.

Wake up late, rush through traffic. Arrive just on time. Enjoy a cup of coffee with your co workers. Clients are not due for another hour. Paperwork is done. Powwow sessions are held in regard on the best actions to take with certain clients.

Sessions all day, but time in between to keep paperwork up to date. Groups that evening. No UA runs, no pandemonium, no frustration about the unfairness of it all. (Oops did I forget to mention that in the previous paragraphprobably not enough time.)
Leave work on time and go home to be with family and friends. Tomorrow really is another day.

The main difference is the amount of paperwork and lack of time. Too many non profits receive grants based on what can ideally be done. For profits receive monies based on realistic outcomes based on fact, not on paper.
I believe in non profits. I have worked for them for years, but I will admit freely that for profits are easier because they are smarter. They are based in reality of tomorrow will be here. Non profits are based in the hope that- we'll find someone to do it. It's you, isn't it?

Learn more about this author, Lori Piper.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about How is working at a nonproft different than working at a for-profit company??
We want to hear your view. Write now!