If you wish to help others fight their addictions, becoming a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) is the first step. At Sober College School of Addiction Studies, we can provide you with the coursework you need to obtain CADC certification, but before you enroll, take a look at our list of CADC facts and tips.
1. Understanding CADC-I & CADC-II
There are many acronyms associated with the profession of substance abuse counseling. For instance, you’ll see terms such as CADC-1, CADC-II, RADT, NAADAC and IC&RC thrown around quite a bit, and it’s important to learn a little bit about each of these acronyms.
As you already know from your previous research, CADC is a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, and there are two different CADC levels, I & II, and the option you choose will be based on your education level and the number of hours of supervised work experience you have attained in the field of drug and alcohol counseling.
Typically, people working to become a CADC-1 level counselor will have earned an associate’s degree (although in some states a high school diploma or GED is all you need), while people working toward their CADC-II will have completed a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, more hours of supervised work are required for the CADC-II certification.
Both CADC-I and CADC-II certifications are excellent options for anyone wishing to become a drug and alcohol counselor. Both of these certifications require 315 hours of education, which you can obtain here at Sober College School of Addiction Studies.
Beyond that, you will need to obtain a specific number of hours of supervised work experience at a licensed facility, and we can help you find facilities throughout California where you can earn these hours. These include residential treatment facilities, outpatient treatment facilities, outreach programs, prevention programs, court diversion programs and much more.
2. Typically, It All Starts With RADT
The first step that you take into the world of drug and alcohol counseling is a fairly easy one. You first become a Registered Alcohol & Drug Technician, and there are two RADT levels you can attain.
For RADT-I certification, you simply need to complete a 9-hour orientation which covers topics such as ethics and confidentiality. From there, you can apply for your RADT credential and apply for some entry-level jobs and begin acquiring work experience hours.
With RADT-II certification, you will need to complete 25 hours of education, and 20 of the hours must be from a CCAPP-approved provider, such as ourselves. CCAPP is the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals and serves as a recognized credentialing organization for our industry.
Additionally, a person with RADT-II certification will have successfully completed the IC&RC examination. This stands for International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium, which is a company that offers several different tests for those beginning their careers as addiction counselors or prevention specialists.
While RADT-II certification is a bit more intensive, this is still considered an entry-level certification. However, many of our students feel more confident with RADT-II certification simply because they will have had a few more hours of education.
3. Getting Educated Is Easy
If you work all day, the idea of fitting in educational classes might seem impossible, but at Sober College, we make it easy. We offer an In-Class/Hybrid Program as well as an Online Program, and all of our classes are NAADAC-approved, which stands for National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors.
For our In-Class/Hybrid Program, you can complete coursework on your own time and meet with an instructor one weekend per month. During these weekend sessions, you will have the opportunity to review material as well as engaging in discussions with your peers and your instructor.
For the online program, you complete all of your coursework according to your own schedule. While there are no in-class meetings, there are weekly online discussions where you converse with your instructor as well as your classmates.
With either option, we provide you with small class sizes so that you truly can connect with our experience instructors. Whether you meet in class or engage in online sessions, you will have the support you need in order to excel at Sober College. Additionally, if you have questions or concerns outside of scheduled meetings, our professors are always here to help and lend advice.
4. Classes Can Be Completed In Six Months
At Sober College, we do our best to make education as flexible as possible. With self-paced online classes, you can complete your CADC certification education classes in as little as six months. Of course, you certainly don’t have to complete your classes this quickly, but if you are truly looking to jump start into a rewarding new career, you can be ready to go in as little as six months.
Additionally, we offer rolling admissions so you don’t have to wait for a new semester to start. You can simply enroll at any time and get started when it’s convenient for your schedule.
5. Our Program Is For Everyone
If you’ve dreamed of a career where you can truly make a difference and impact lives, earning your CADC certification can be a perfect option. Millions of Americans suffer from the disease of addiction and you can help.
We have students from all walks of life. Some are in recovery and hoping to help others find their own path to recovery. Others have seen friends or family members struggle with addiction, and others are simply compassionate individuals that recognize that there is an addiction crisis in our country and want to help others heal.
At Sober College, we firmly believe that with the support of professionally-trained counselors and specialized treatment programs, people can become sober and enjoy a fantastic, fulfilling life without drugs or alcohol, and you can be a part of the process. At Sober College, we provide you with the education you need to learn how to help others fight their addiction and get their lives back on a positive track.
6. Affordable Programs With No Hidden Fees
Unlike other college programs, which can take up to three years to complete and cost tens of thousands of dollars, we offer an affordable solution that will quickly allow you to achieve your career goals. Our In-Class Hybrid Program and Self-Paced Program costs $7,500, and our Online Program costs $5,500. Typically, you also will pay $300 to $500 for books in total. While we do not accept Financial Aid, we do offer monthly payment plans.
7. Not In California? You Can Still Apply
CADC certification isn’t just for people who want to become addiction counselors in California. Our online curriculum is available to students in several other states, including Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania. If you have internet access, you can start your education at any time. If you would like to learn more about Sober College School of Addiction Studies and how we can help you attain CADC certification, you can contact our admissions team or fill out our quick contact form. Simply head to the Get Started tab on our homepage and select Speak With Someone. You also can start the application process under the Get Started tab by selecting Apply.
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In California do you need an associates degree to takeCADC classes?