Sister Wants a Career Change

My sister just quit her teaching job because she says it wasn't fulfilling enough. She's been volunteering at a recovery center on weekends for the past year and completely lights up when she talks about it. She mentioned wanting to become an addiction counselor but our family doesn't know anything about that field. Can you explain what that job involves? I want to understand it better so I can support her decision and know what she's getting into.

Funny enough, my neighbor went through almost the same pivot — left a “stable” office job after volunteering at a detox center because she realized she cared more about people than spreadsheets. Addiction counselors usually spend their days listening, guiding clients through coping strategies, running group sessions, and helping build relapse-prevention plans. It’s emotional work but very purpose-driven. If you want a clear, no-fluff breakdown, this helped me understand it better: addiction counselor responsibilities Honestly, if your sister lights up talking about it, that’s already a strong sign she’s heading somewhere meaningful.