If you are considering switching careers and opting for the field of substance abuse counseling, this can be an excellent option. Addiction counselors are in high demand, and while this profession can be challenging, it also can be highly fulfilling. Let’s take a look at the substance abuse counselor requirements you likely will need to complete to become a certified addiction specialist.
Before we dive in, it is important to note that the names of counselors vary from state to state. For instance, in California, you might be known as a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) counselor or a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC).
CADC is a term used in many states, but other states might call this profession an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) or use another term. No matter the term used, the actual job and the substance abuse counselor requirements tend to be about the same and include the following.
1. The Skill Set
Before you embark on any new career, it is wise to learn about what tasks you will be handling day to day and the types of skills you need to be successful at your job. While actual counseling is part of the job, a certified addiction counselor handles a wide range of tasks.
These tasks are known as the 12 Core Functions of Addiction Counseling and they include everything from patient screening to assessment to treatment planning and more.
A good counselor is not just a person that is empathetic and a good listener, but also someone highly organized and efficient. The job of an addiction counselor includes a great deal of paperwork as well as networking and consulting with other professionals to ensure that each of your patients has the support they need to maintain long-term sobriety.
2. Education Requirements
To become a CADC, ADC or another similar type of counselor, you will need to complete 315 educational units, which we can provide. The coursework covers everything from counseling to professional ethics to case management and much more.
In California, our curriculum is approved by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), as well as the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP).
However, our curriculum also is approved by the NAADAC, which is the national association for addiction professionals, as well as IC&RC. This means that students in just about every state can use Sober College to complete their educational requirements.
At Sober College of Addiction Studies, our addiction studies program can be completed 100% online, which makes it convenient for working adults. You also can complete the coursework in just six months, and we offer rolling admissions so you can get started whenever you want.
3. Practicum Experience
After you complete our first course, you can begin working toward the completion of your practicum experiences, which essentially serve as internships. As you complete the 255 practicum hours, you will be required to complete a minimum of 21 hours handling each of the 12 Core Functions.
4. Work Experience
Once you’ve completed your education and practicum, you are ready to move on to real paid work, although it will be known as supervised work experience hours until you earn your certification. The number of supervised work experience hours varies depending on your state and the type of counselor certification you are earning.
For instance, with CADCs, there are three different levels that you can consider. If you have a high school diploma or the equivalent, you can work toward becoming either a CADC-I or CADC-II.
A CADC-I will need to complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience hours. If you do have an associate’s degree in behavioral science or an allied mental health profession, this requirement will be just 2,080 hours. For CADC-IIs, any earned college degrees have no impact on the supervised work experience hours, and you will need to complete 6,000 hours to become a CADC-II.
If you do have a bachelor’s degree, you could opt to work toward becoming a CADC-III. A bachelor’s degree is a requirement at this level, and you also will need to complete 4,000 hours of supervised work experience. Again, state requirements do vary, but that’s about what you can expect in general.
5. Testing Requirements
For most CADCs and similar types of alcoholism and drug abuse counselors, the requirements include passing the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Exam. IC&RC is an internationally-recognized testing organization, and they offer six exams, but for those just getting started in addiction counseling, the ADC exam will be the one you will need to prepare for and earn a passing score.
6. Apply For Certification
Every state has one or more organizations that provide certifications for substance abuse counselors. For instance, in California, you could be certified by CCAPP or CADTP. In Texas, you might need to head to the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals (TCBAP), while in Ohio you might need the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professional Board (OCDPB).
Typically, these organizations will want to see your educational transcripts as well as documents that show completion of your practicum experience, work experience hours and passing IC&RC test score. There also will be an application to fill out and a fee to pay for the certification.
7. Continuing Education
Substance abuse counselor requirements don’t end once you’ve earned your credential or certification. In most cases, you will need to renew your licensing about every two years. In order to renew, you will need to complete a specific number of continuing education (CE) units.
The number of units will vary depending on your state, and we recommend heading to the website of your state’s credentialing or certification organization to find information about CE units. In general, you can earn CE units by taking classes (either online or in-person) or attending workshops and seminars. Completing these units will ensure that you are up-to-date on the latest treatments and research regarding substance use disorders.
Ready to Enroll?
If you want to start working toward the completion of your substance abuse counselor requirements, we can help. To enroll in our addiction studies program, just go to the Apply tab at the top of our homepage and download our application. Once you have completed the application and sent it to us, one of our admission specialists will be in touch to help you complete the registration process.
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