Requirements on How to Become a Substance Abuse Addictions Counselor

This growth is largely driven by increased awareness of mental health issues and the ongoing need to provide services to those struggling with addiction and other behavioral challenges. It’s important to distinguish between the various types of positions that are often referred to as “counselors” in the area of substance abuse and addictions therapy. Each treatment center has a unique set of staff titles that are created by their human resources departments. It’s crucial to remember that statistical data on earnings and pay for substance abuse and addictions counselors may represent the average for all positions, for all organizations, and/or for those who have master’s or Ph.D. degrees.

What is the difference between CADC and other substance abuse counselor certifications?

• Addiction counselor certification is one of the more complicated concepts you’ll confront on your way to a career in the field.
• They endeavor to understand the underlying causes of addiction and employ various strategies to address the many factors contributing to substance use disorders.
• Drug and alcohol counselors provide treatment and guidance on behavior to clients who are living with addictions or want to maintain sobriety.
• In addition to providing direct counseling and group therapy, substance abuse counselors must complete paperwork, prepare lessons for therapy groups, and review treatment plans.
• If you have a passion for helping others and want to make a difference in their lives, consider becoming an addiction counselor.
• It is important to consider each of these schedule requirements when applying for jobs in the addiction recovery industry, as this is another step toward finding the right schedule for you.

Each state has its own specific certification and licensing requirements for substance abuse counselors. So, it’s crucial to research the regulations in the state where you plan to practice. These may include minimum education requirements, specific coursework, and hours of supervised clinical experience. Most counselors work full-time and in a variety of working patterns during the day, evenings, and weekends. For example, substance abuse counselors working for a residential facility may be required to live in the facility for a period of time. Whereas correctional facilities, schools, and hospitals/inpatient environments may require counselors to do shift work in evenings and weekends.

• Counseling as a career is ideal for someone interested in working with individuals and groups to improve mental, behavioral, and emotional concerns.
• But there are other reasons a graduate program is your best option if you’re looking for a long-term career in the substance use disorder (SUD) counseling field.
• Upon completion, you can apply for an entry-level license or pair with other behavioral health degrees, such as a master’s in counseling, psychology or social work to receive dual licensure.

What Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Do?

Requirements for private practice typically include the completion of a master’s degree in counseling. You may also need to complete at least two years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience beyond a master’s program. Substance abuse counseling can be traced all the way back to the 1750s, when Native American tribes began building abstinence-based movements and practices to treat alcoholism. Substance abuse counselors work with and for patients struggling with addiction, helping clients reach goals, find and sustain work, and practice sobriety safely and positively. Some states require completion of 2,000 to 6,000 internship hours before taking an exam, but requirements vary depending on your current academic level.

Accredited Training Programs

Examples include the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium’s (IC&RC) Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examination and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examination. You may need to pass an exam through the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCCAP). In most states and circumstances, substance abuse counselors must be licensed or certified by the state in which they intend to work. The battle with substance use disorder pits experts educated in the science of addiction and treatment substance abuse counseling against biological and psychological impulses.

Importance of Continuing Education

However, depending on where your clients live, you may need to maintain credentials in multiple states. Remote learning makes becoming a certified substance abuse counselor possible without entering a college classroom. Earning an addiction counseling degree online is ideal for students with substantial work or family requirements. Addiction counselors, historically referred to as substance abuse counselors, provide expert care and support to people who struggle with a variety of mental health disorders. However, addiction counselors help people manage and overcome other types of addictions as well, such as gambling addiction.

Student Experience

Additionally, there are several requirements for continuing education credits that counselors must complete to renew their certifications. For each of the three NAADAC certifications, renewal requires 40 hours of continuing education every two years. In order to create a counseling plan for a client, a substance abuse counselor will first try to determine the type and severity of a person’s substance abuse. This is usually done by interviewing the client and encouraging him to be completely honest about his actions. Certain physical and behavioral actions might also give substance abuse counselors some idea of what they are dealing with. For instance, a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs will often exhibit behavioral changes.

Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options are Available at Every Level

After obtaining your qualifying degree, you must then take steps to become a substance abuse counselor, outlined below. The final step before applying for your credential is to complete your supervised work experience hours and this will be the most time-consuming aspect of the certification process. However, you will be paid as you complete these hours, they are simply supervised. During this practicum, you must complete at least 21 hours in each of the 12 Core Functions of Addiction Counseling.

Selecting the Right Program

Addiction counselors are mental health professionals who help people manage drug addiction and co-occurring disorders. In addition to providing direct counseling and group therapy, substance abuse counselors must complete paperwork, prepare lessons for therapy groups, and review treatment plans. A critical part of their job is to thoroughly document counseling sessions and track of patient outcomes.

• The main difference between addiction counselors and addiction therapists is the level of clinical understanding, depth of intervention, and whether they have a license to practice.
• Moreover, the profession offers opportunities for personal growth, continuous learning, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
• Many drug and alcohol counselors start out as interns in residential care and move up as they complete their intern hours and earn their licensing credentials.

Licensure ensures that counselors have the skills, knowledge, and experience to provide quality treatments for addictions in clinical settings. Substance abuse counselor requirements tend to vary more by state than other professional counseling roles. This guide provides the typical steps to licensure and clarifies state requirements for substance abuse counselor licensure and certification with a detailed table. A bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling, psychology, or clinical mental health counseling is typically required for substance abuse counselors. Additionally, pursuing a degree from an accredited program provides a strong foundation in addiction theory, counseling techniques, and ethics, essential for success in this field.