Instead, substance abuse counselors typically must have a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or a closely related field. Substance abuse counseling is a comprehensive mental health field charged with helping individuals recover from drug or alcohol addiction. While much focus is on the substance abuse itself, substance abuse counseling also seeks to address related issues in social, emotional, occupational, and mental health functioning. In a majority of cases, addicts or affected people approach substance abuse and addictions counselors when they’re ready. However, in other cases, affected persons could be compelled to visit a counselor by family members or by police or government authorities.

Internship / Practicum Experience

This licensure level can be attained with a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university or greater. 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.

Types of Counseling Licensure

Not only will this help them attain licensure in a new state, but employers always prefer to hire professionals who have graduated from the best schools. Substance abuse counselors can also have a more educational function in which they help addicts understand the biology and even sociology behind their behaviors. CACREP is the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs. Nearly every state requires counselors to have a graduate degree from a CACREP-accredited institution.

SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR)

If a person has the qualifying life experience of conquering substance abuse counseling addiction, they may be able to join the profession of substance abuse and addictions counseling with very little schooling. A person is considered to have useful knowledge in the field if they’ve been sober and clean for at least two years. Some experience in the field, through an internship or other supervised practice, will always be advantageous. While titles still maintain significance, the substance abuse and addiction field as a whole has made moves toward inclusivity over the years. NAADAC, for example, was originally founded as the National Association of Alcoholism Counselors and Trainers (NAACT) in 1972. The organization changed its name in 1982 to the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) to unite professionals working to assist addiction patients.

How to Become an Addiction Counselor

Salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience, and the specific setting in which a counselor works. Addiction professionals are always in demand to close the treatment gap found in many communities across the United States. This review covers how to become a certified addiction counselor, including what education and experience are required.

Substance abuse counseling helps individuals develop the skills they need to navigate life without relying on drugs or alcohol. It also encourages clients to build a strong support network, whether through continued therapy, group counseling, or family involvement, all of which are critical to long-term success. The journey to recovery doesn’t end after the first few weeks or months of treatment. Counseling plays an essential role in sustaining sobriety over the long term by providing clients with tools and resources to manage cravings, build healthy habits, and maintain a positive outlook on life. In some settings, substance abuse counselors may need to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Top Counseling Degrees

The Model for Certification at the American Institute of Health Care Professionals is one based on a core curriculum of focused Continuing Education (CE) Courses. We insure this by modeling our Certification programs on student’s achievements in a strong curriculum of continuing education in order to achieve our professional Certifications. They may also work in hospitals and other large health centers that treat a range of health issues as part of a patient care team.

In most cases, they will hold the same license as a professional counselor or substance abuse counselor. They may have had additional training specific to recognizing and treating alcohol addiction and related disorders, such as a postgraduate certificate or other formal training. Continuing education (CE) is a common requirement for substance abuse counselors, as they are usually required to complete a certain number of hours of formal training each year to maintain their license. Many substance abuse counselors also choose to work toward additional certifications and/or higher education. Drug and alcohol counselors provide treatment and guidance on behavior to clients who are living with addictions or want to maintain sobriety. An addiction counselor may choose to focus on the treatment of one particular addiction, a related group of addictions, or the spectrum of addiction disorders.

• 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.
• In some states, you can work as a substance abuse technician, trainee, or assistant with a high school diploma under the direct supervision of a licensed counselor.
• All of our courses can be taken online and are self-paced for the student candidate’s easy of self-paced learning and many employers offer financial assistance to employees who enter our programs.
• While every institution has a different staff structure, a majority of the ones listed below demand that their entry-level workers (those with or without a high school education) have first-hand knowledge of drug and/or alcohol abuse.
• One of the greatest disadvantages of being a substance abuse counselor is the fact that many clients will fail in their attempt to turn their lives around.
• Applicants must also complete 6 hours of ethics training and then 6 hours of HIV/other pathogen training within the 6 years prior to application.

• As a health care professional, you need to be able to provide the best possible care for your patients.
• Many substance abuse counselors also choose to work toward additional certifications and/or higher education.
• Addictions counselors who wish to specialize in adolescent care should consider this national certification.
• Prospective students should consider their career goals, educational background, and state regulations when deciding between CADC and LADC paths.

CADC certification is typically overseen by state licensing boards or nationally recognized professional organizations. For instance, in the United States, each state has its own requirements and governing boards, such as the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) or the Board of Behavioral Sciences in California. Prospective counselors should check the specific requirements and processes applicable in their state or region. The Recovery Village has several facilities throughout the United States, and we are always looking to add new professionals to our team of industry-leading experts. In addition to positions at one of our facilities, jobs are also available nationally through our telehealth platform. Our evidence-based approach to addiction treatment has made us one of the first organizations to be designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Substance Use Treatment.

Additionally, with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, many substance abuse counseling services are now covered by insurance. This has, in turn, led many people to seek treatment that could not otherwise afford to do so just a few years ago. The result has been very strong growth in substance abuse counseling jobs, especially in community mental health settings and inpatient or outpatient treatment centers. In some states, entry-level work can be done with little more than on-the-job training after high school. Workers with this level of education and training cannot be called counselors, per se, as state regulations typically preclude anyone without a master’s degree or higher to call themselves a counselor. Furthermore, substance abuse counseling is much more than requiring detox; instead, it encompasses a variety of intervention and prevention measures, including educational programs, medical interventions, and behavioral interventions.