While it might seem that many professional opportunities require a college degree, you can earn addiction counseling certification without a degree. If you long for a rewarding career where you can truly help others, the field of addiction counseling might be a good option, and you only need to have earned your high school diploma. Let’s take a look at this career opportunity and how to earn certification.
The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 48.7 million people aged 12 or older in the United States had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, representing 17.3% of that population. This includes 29.5 million individuals with an alcohol use disorder and 27.2 million with a drug use disorder.
SAMHSA
The prevalence of SUDs varies across age groups:
- Adolescents (12 to 17 years old): 8.7% (2.2 million individuals)
- Young Adults (18 to 25 years old): 27.8% (9.7 million individuals)
- Adults (26 years and older): 16.6% (36.8 million individuals)
These statistics highlight the significant impact of substance use disorders across various age groups in the United States and underscore the immense need for trained professionals to help with this public health crisis. Therefore, demand is very high for mental health professionals such as CADCs and other types of SUD counselors.
A CADC is a common type of addiction counselor, although the name for this job position can vary by state. For example, in some states, this professional is known as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor or LADC. While states may have unique names, the requirements to earn certification tend to be the same.
And, for those who are interested in this career, becoming an entry-level CADC does not require any level of college degree. While you only need to have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent, you must complete some education requirements (315 educational units) and other steps to earn CADC certification.
At Sober College, we are a NAADAC-approved and IC&RC-approved addiction studies education provider. Our curriculum can be used in every state, except for Alaska, North Dakota and Montana, and our program is 100% online. If you’ve been looking for counseling certification without a degree, we offer a convenient option for working adults.
Even better, the total cost for our program is just $4,250 (books cost an additional $300-$500 total), which is far less than a program at a traditional college or university. Our program also can be completed in six months, while college programs can take several years to complete. If you are looking for a flexible, fast option to jumpstart your new career, Sober College can be an excellent option to consider.
In addition to completing your educational units, you also must complete a 255-hour practicum experience. At Sober College, this can be completed in tandem with your coursework, so within six months, you can have both of these requirements fulfilled.
After that, you will need to pass the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam. Then, to earn CADC-I certification, you also must complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience. For this, you will be in a paid job position, and working as a counselor, it will simply be supervised until you have completed your hours. From there, you can apply for your credential or certification and begin working toward CADC-II certification, which typically requires 6,000 hours of work experience.
Additional Counseling Certification Options
While there are certainly many types of counseling jobs that require a degree, such as a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, there are a few other options to consider if you do not have a degree yet still want a career in counseling. Here’s a quick look at some of your options.
1.Peer Support Specialist Certification
- Description: This certification is for individuals who have lived experience with mental health challenges or substance use disorders and want to help others going through similar situations.
- Requirements: This can require completion of a training program (often 40-80 hours) and passing an exam. Some states may require a high school diploma or GED.
2. Recovery Coach Certification
- Description: Recovery coaches support individuals in achieving and maintaining recovery from addiction.
- Requirements: Training through programs like the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) or similar. No college degree is required, but some programs may require prior experience in recovery.
3. Pastoral or Faith-Based Counseling Certification
- Description: Offered by organizations like the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA), this certification focuses on faith-based approaches to counseling.
- Requirements: Completion of a certification course. A college degree is not always necessary, but a background in ministry or religious studies may be helpful.
4. Certified Life Coach
- Description: Life coaching helps clients set and achieve personal or professional goals, focusing on motivation and self-improvement rather than therapy.
- Requirements: Programs such as the International Coach Federation (ICF) or similar organizations offer certification for these types of counseling jobs without requiring a degree.
5. Grief Counseling Certification
- Description: Designed to support individuals coping with loss, grief counseling certifications are often offered as standalone programs.
- Requirements: Training through organizations such as the American Academy of Grief Counseling. No degree is necessary, though training hours and exams may be required.
6. Crisis Counselor Training
- Description: Crisis counselors provide immediate support during emergencies, such as through crisis hotlines or disaster relief organizations.
- Requirements: Certifications are often provided by organizations like the Crisis Text Line or local mental health associations. No degree is needed, just completion of their specific training program.
Keep in mind, if you do become a certified addiction counselor, such as a CADC, there are also many additional specialized credentials you can earn. These also likely will not require a college degree, although you will need to complete some level of training.
These options include certifications as an Intervention Specialist, a Prevention Specialist, a Medication-Assisted Treatment Specialist (MATS), a Women’s Treatment Specialist (WTS), a Criminal Justice Addiction Professional (CCJP) and several others.
Want To Become A CADC? Enroll Today!
While there are multiple options for counseling certification without a degree, becoming a CADC can be a rewarding, interesting career option. We offer rolling admissions, so you can enroll whenever it is convenient for you. To sign up with Sober College, simply head to the Get Started tab on our homepage and download our application. If you have any questions, select the Speak With Someone tab and fill out our quick contact form.
Leave a Reply