Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate Online

According to government figures, 9.5% of adults received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional in 2019. Younger adults were more likely to have sought out counseling or therapy than older people. However, anyone can benefit from forming a therapeutic relationship with the right mental health professional. The following is the curriculum substance abuse counseling for individuals with a clinical master’s or doctorate degree from a CSWE-accredited program. We will work with you to personalize an individualized plan of study depending on your prior credits. Substance abuse and addictions counselors often work in the settings of correctional institutions, schools, social and human care agencies, and hospitals.

Find the best-fit master’s degree in addiction counseling.

Successful applicants typically have a degree in social work, psychology, or some other related field. However, state boards are interested in the coursework they find on an official transcript. The experiential portion of one’s application can span from 350 hours to five years of supervised training.

National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS)

For prospective students aiming to become Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors, choosing the right degree program is crucial. These programs not only provide the foundational knowledge required for certification but also offer specialized training tailored to the needs of substance abuse counseling. Embarking on a career as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) offers a unique opportunity to make a profound impact in the lives of individuals struggling with substance abuse. CADC certification equips professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide effective therapy and support in various settings.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

• OASAS coursework is non-sequential and admission applicants with supporting documents are reviewed when received.
• At Addiction Counselor, we connect our readers with the tools and resources they need to begin a successful career in the field of addiction counseling.
• Since 2016, synthetic opioids like fentanyl have been the deadliest drug, accounting for over 80 percent of fatal overdoses.
• As of May 2023, the median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was reported to be $53,710, according to the BLS.
• Additionally, some substance abuse and addictions counselors might opt to start their own private clinics.

When you graduate, you’ll have the training and real-world clinical experience you need to succeed in your field. To become licensed or certified as an alcohol and drug counselor, you will likely need to pass an exam. 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). You might be an undergraduate student thinking about a career in counseling. There are many different master’s degrees and counseling programs to fit your goals.

Click here to learn more information on program scholarships, funding, and financial assistance. Instead, take the time to consider what qualities you value in a therapist and what specific issues or goals you want to address in therapy. Trust your instincts and pay attention to how you feel during initial interactions or sessions. Don’t be afraid to end a therapeutic relationship and try someone else if it is not working well for you. When it comes to choosing a therapy provider, it’s crucial to remember that the decision is about more than just assessing the person’s qualifications on paper.

• The Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate program at Loma Linda University has graduated substance use treatment professionals for twenty years.
• The asynchronous online format of our addiction science courses enables you to earn your post-baccalaureate certificate on a schedule that works best for you—and without the need to travel to campus.
• Future counselors should also complete 270 hours of education in the field as well as six hours of ethics coursework and six hours of HIV/other disease training within six years prior to application.
• When you graduate, you’ll have the training and real-world clinical experience you need to succeed in your field.

If an applicant has any infractions on their background check, they should be prepared to address those issues and document that the matters are now closed to the satisfaction of the court. There is a minimal formal education requirement in that one can attain the certification with only a high school diploma, or an equivalent. Candidates for certification should also complete 6,000 hours or three years of supervised, full-time experience as a substance abuse/addiction counselor. Future counselors should also complete 270 hours of education in the field as well as six hours of ethics coursework and six hours of HIV/other disease training within six years prior to application.

Becoming an Addiction Counselor: Review

FAQ: Counseling Careers & Degrees

• You must obtain endorsement from a professional colleague who holds a master’s degree or higher in a mental health field.
• If a person has the qualifying life experience of conquering addiction, they may be able to join the profession of substance abuse and addictions counseling with very little schooling.
• Ultimately, a Bachelor of Science or Arts degree should serve as a minimum standard.
• Frequently, state licensing agencies offer this credential as a second-tier licensure for substance abuse counselors.
• If you’re interested in helping to solve this problem directly, consider a career in substance abuse therapy.