If you want to become an addiction counselor, we can help you complete several requirements of the drug and alcohol certification process, but that’s just a small part of your transition into a new career. Let’s explore the certification process as well as the job itself, and the different opportunities that can develop as you gain experience as a counselor.
Addiction Counselor Certification: 5 Steps You Need To Take
When you first get started in counseling, you are typically working toward earning drug and alcohol certification to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, or CADC. This is a common type of substance use disorder (SUD) counselor, although the actual title, CADC, varies from state to state. Some states use the term CADC, while others will use Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), or another term.
To become a CADC, the first step is to complete your educational hours, and most states require 315 hours of addiction studies curriculum from an approved education provider. Additionally, you will need to complete at least 255 hours of practicum experience, which is an internship, although some states do require a longer practicum.
Once you have completed your educational hours and practicum, you will be ready to take your certification exam, which is completed through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), an organization that provides standardized testing for addiction professionals.
At this point, you will be working as a trainee counselor and must accrue a specific number of supervised work experience hours to earn your drug and alcohol certification. The number of hours varies from state to state, but typically, you will need to complete at least 3,000 hours and possibly more.
In California, for example, you must complete 3,000 hours for CADC I certification. To become a CADC II, you will need to complete 6,000 hours, and many CADC I’s will go on to become a CADC II. To become a CADC III, you need only complete 4,000 hours, but you also must have earned a bachelor’s degree. California does not require college degrees for either CADC I or CADC II certification.
Again, this is just one example. Every state certification board has unique requirements, although some are similar to those in California. Some states require completion of more or fewer hours, while other states require the completion of an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree for CADC II certification. Be sure to study your state’s requirements carefully before beginning your substance abuse counselor training.
Once you have completed these first four steps, you will need to provide all of your documentation and apply for certification/licensure through your state board. This also typically requires you to pay a fee, and the costs vary from state to state.
So, to recap, the five steps you must take include:
- Completion of your educational hours
- Completion of your practicum
- Passing the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam
- Completion of your work experience hours
- Submitting paperwork/paying fees to your state certification board
What To Expect
When it comes to the day-to-day tasks a CADC or similar SUD counselor must handle, we are typically talking about what is known as the “12 Core Functions Of Addiction Counseling.” These functions include:
- Patient Screening
- Intake
- Orientation
- Patient Assessment
- Treatment Planning
- Counseling (For Groups, Individuals and Families)
- Case Management
- Crisis Intervention
- Client Education
- Referral
- Reporting & Record Keeping
- Consultation with Other Professionals
To learn more about each of the functions, take a look at our previous blog – Addiction Counseling: Understanding the 12 Core Functions.
Areas Of Specialization
After earning CADC certification, many counselors choose to pursue areas of specialization that align with their interests, client populations, or work settings, allowing them to deepen their expertise and expand their professional opportunities. Some of the specialty credential options include:
Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP)
A CCJP works with individuals involved in the criminal justice system, supporting substance use treatment, compliance with court requirements, and coordination between treatment providers, probation, and legal agencies.
An Intervention Specialist assists individuals and families during the early stages of substance use concerns by facilitating structured interventions, providing education, and helping clients enter appropriate treatment or recovery services.
Medication-Assisted Treatment Specialist (MATS)
As a MATS, you support clients receiving medication-assisted treatment by coordinating care, providing counseling support, monitoring treatment adherence, and collaborating with medical providers as part of an integrated treatment team.
This professional focuses on education and community-based strategies to reduce substance use risk, delivering prevention programs, public outreach, and early-intervention initiatives before substance use disorders develop.
Professional Recovery & Wellness Coach (PRWC)
As a coach, you provide non-clinical support to individuals in recovery by helping them set goals, build healthy routines, navigate resources, and maintain long-term recovery and wellness outside of formal treatment settings.
Woman’s Treatment Specialist (WTS)
This specialist works with women in substance use treatment, addressing gender-specific needs such as trauma, family dynamics, pregnancy, parenting, and co-occurring mental health concerns in a supportive treatment environment.
These are just a few of the options to consider. Keep in mind, some of these specialty credentials do require the completion of a bachelor’s degree. While a college degree is often not required for the first stages of your career, as you advance, it can be worthwhile to consider taking this step, as it opens up many opportunities and usually includes a higher paycheck.
Sober College: Fast & Affordable Education
If you are looking for fast, affordable drug and alcohol certification programs, Sober College can be an excellent option to consider. With us, you can complete your educational hours and practicum in just six months, and our program is 100% online, making it easy to fit learning time around your busy schedule.
Our substance abuse counselor certification program also costs just $4,250, which is far less than you would pay at a traditional college or university. We also offer rolling admissions, so you can get started at any time. If you are ready to enroll in our drug and alcohol certification program, simply head to the Get Started tab on our homepage and select Apply.
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