There are many types of addiction counselors, and two commonly known options include a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). Both of these professionals help their clients fight addiction, but the path to these two careers can differ depending on your location.
Understanding The Job Titles
For those just getting started on their path toward earning substance abuse counselor jobs, it’s important to note that there are many different names for counselors and these names and there requirements for these jobs can vary by state.
For instance, in Massachusetts, there are three levels of LADCs including a LADC assistant, LADC-I and LADC-II. The LADC assistant only needs a high school diploma and completion of 50 hours of approved substance abuse education.
However, a LADC-I needs to have earned a master’s degree in behavioral science with at least 18 semester hours of counseling. A LADC-II, on the other hand, only needs to have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Both the LADC-I and LADC-II must complete 270 hours of approved education.
In some states, all LADCs will need either a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, but there are other counselor certifications available for those who have earned an associate’s degree or have not completed any college coursework but do have their high school diploma or the equivalent.
In other states, the term “LADC” is not used at all and might be called a CADC or perhaps an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) or perhaps another name such as Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC). While the names vary, many of the educational requirements and other requirements are the same. The option you select is often simply based on your current level of education.
Let’s take a look at the options in California, for instance. Instead of LADC, California uses the terms CADC and LAADC (Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor). To earn a CADC credential, all candidates must have a high school diploma or the equivalent, complete 315 hours of approved education and 255 hours of a field practicum, a passing score on the IC&RC Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC) exam and then a specific number of supervised work experience hours.
The number of work experience hours varies based on the type of CADC you wish to become. A CADC-I needs to complete 3,000 hours unless the candidate has earned an associate’s degree. If this is the case, only 2,080 hours are required.
To become a CADC-II, you need to complete 6,000 hours of supervised work experience, regardless of any earned degrees. A CADC-III only needs 4,000 hours, but this candidate does need to have earned a bachelor’s degree.
To become a LAADC, you need to have completed a master’s degree in behavioral science or an allied mental health profession. You also must complete 300 hours of approved education, and 4,000 hours of supervised work experience and earn a passing score on the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) exam. The supervised work experience portion of your substance abuse training is typically paid work and your 255 hours of required practicum hours will be included in this total.
Jumpstart Your Education
In most states, there is a certification similar to the CADC in California, and it often is called a CADC or LADC. At Sober College, we offer IC&RC-approved curriculum and NAADAC-approved curriculum for those wishing to become a CADC or similar level of substance abuse counselor. Our curriculum is approved for use in every state except Montana, North Dakota and Alaska.
We make it easy for working adults to jumpstart their new careers as substance abuse counselors. Our program can be completed entirely online, and it can be completed in just six months. We also offer rolling admissions so you can get started at any time rather than waiting for a traditional semester start date as you would with a traditional college.
To get started, all we need is for you to provide us with your high school diploma or GED and any college transcripts. Additionally, if you have a criminal history, that also will need to be disclosed. States vary in their rules regarding licensure for individuals that have committed misdemeanors or felonies.
Rest assured, many people with a criminal background (and with histories of alcohol and drug abuse) go on to be very successful addiction professionals and it can even be beneficial as a means of truly empathizing with any clients that also may have criminal records and you also become a beacon of hope, and proof that people can turn their lives around and find long-term sobriety and success.
If you are interested in enrolling in Sober College, you can go to the Get Started tab on our homepage and select “Apply.” If you have questions about our program, simply select the “Speak with Someone” tab instead and fill out our quick contact form and a member of our team will be in touch to answer all of your questions.
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