If you’d love a career where you truly help others, working as an addiction specialist can be a good option to consider. At Sober College School of Addiction Studies, we can help you fulfill the educational requirements required for NAADAC certification. But, first, let’s take a quick look at the NAADAC and the types of certification available.
What Is The NAADAC?
The NAADAC is the foremost organization for addiction professionals. This group formerly was known as the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, which is where the acronym NAADAC is derived.
However, the NAADAC is now known as the Association for Addiction Professionals. This change envelops addiction counselors that specialize in all types of addiction, and not just a substance use disorder, but also issues such as gambling addiction, sex addiction, etc.
The NAADAC was created to support addiction professionals as well as to advocate for people with addiction. This organization hosts several conferences throughout the year, as well as providing continuing education and resources for all types of addiction counselors.
The NAADAC also has created the NAADAC Code of Ethics which is a standard for ethics recognized throughout the United States. It is updated every few years to keep up with the most recent changes in addiction treatment. As part of our certified counselor training program, one of the classes we offer is Law & Ethics, which covers the NAADAC Code of Ethics as well as state standards for the profession.
Certification is another important area of concentration by the NAADAC. The NAADAC has set standards for several different types of addiction counselors. The National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) is a common type of addiction counselor recognized by the NAADAC.
At Sober College, we provide the educational units required for NCAC-I certification. Our curriculum is NAADAC-approved as well as IC&RC-approved. IC&RC (International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium) is a national and international credentialing organization that provides standardized tests for individuals working toward becoming an NCAC-I or similar type of counselor. Passing the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam is one requirement to fulfill to earn your certification.
The NCAC certification is known by different names from state to state. In California, for example, this professional would be known as a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC). In Texas, this professional might be called an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC). While the names vary by state, the certification requirements tend to be similar.
NAADAC Certification Requirements
Again, at Sober College, we focus on helping you become an NCAC-I, and provide the educational units required for this level of NAADAC certification. In order to earn your NCAC certification (aka CADC, etc.), you must complete 270 hours of NAADAC-approved addiction studies education. Our program actually includes 315 hours of education, as this amount is required by some states, such as California.
For NCAC-I certification, you also must complete 6,000 hours of supervised work experience as well as a passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam. Keep in mind, some states have counselor certifications that do not require 6,000 hours of supervised work. The supervised work also is paid work, it’s simply supervised, but you will be handling all of the day-to-day tasks that a certified addiction counselor would handle.
In California, you can become CADC-I with just 3,000 hours of supervised work experience (2,080 hours if you have an associate’s degree in behavioral science or an allied mental health profession). However, when you have completed 6,000 hours of supervised work experience, you can earn your CADC-II credential as well as your NCAC-I certification.
Earning an NCAC-I credential can be a smart move because this certification likely will be recognized throughout the United States, which can make it easier to find a new job should you need to relocate from your home state.
Other Types Of NAADAC Credentials
While the NCAC credential is a popular choice, NAADAC has a few more options for addiction professionals to consider. If you have a bachelor’s degree in substance use disorders or a related field, you could work toward your NCAC-II credential. With a master’s degree, you can work toward your Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) credential.
NAADAC also offers some interesting areas of specialization. This includes the Nicotine Dependence Specialist (NDS), the National Certified Adolescent Addiction Counselor (NCAAC) and the National Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS).
Keep in mind that many states also offer interesting credential options such as Prevention Specialist or Certified Criminal Justice Professional. These certification options can be good to consider once you’ve earned your initial counselor certification and wish to branch out to an area of specialization.
Facts About Sober College
Because we are NAADAC-approved, CCAPP-approved and IC&RC-approved, our curriculum can be used throughout the United States (except Montana, North Dakota and Alaska). Our program also can be used in many other countries, including Canada, India and more.
Our program can be completed entirely online, which is a huge benefit for working adults. You can schedule your study time around work and other commitments. You also can complete your educational units in just six months, allowing you to jumpstart your career. Traditional college programs can take several years to complete, and if you are looking to change careers, our program truly allows you to make the switch as quickly as possible.
We also offer rolling admissions, so you can get started at any time. Our program also costs far less than you would pay at a traditional college or university and there are no hidden fees. The total cost for our program is $4,250, with book costs that range from about $300 to $500 in all.
Get Started Today!
If you would like to enroll in our program and get started on your NAADAC certification or state-level certification, just click on the Get Started tab on our homepage. You can select the Apply tab or Speak With Someone if you have questions about our program.
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