There are numerous certifying bodies for substance use counselors which offer individuals the ability to complete educational requirements to practice in specific states. In addition to educational benefits, becoming a member of a certifying body can open up ample opportunity to connect with others in the field and explore specializations within substance use counseling. Depending on your career goals and where you wish to practice, you may consider membership through a specific certifying body over another.
CCAPP vs CAADE vs NADAC
| Certifying Body | Offer | Cost | Included Certification | Types of Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCAPP |
| $100 per member ($90 for members 55+ or retired) | Education in:
| Work in for-profit and non-profit treatment programs including:
|
| CAADE | Costs range between $150 – $500 | Education in:
| Work in numerous fields including:
| |
| NADAC |
| Costs vary depending on state and title | Education in:
| Work in a variety of fields including:
|
What is CCAPP?
The California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) is the largest consortium of for-profit and non-profit substance abuse treatment agencies in the state. In place for more than 30 years, it serves a wide population of substance use counselors in the state and allows employees to easily network with providers for job opportunities.
In a CCAPP accredited program, you will learn about:
- Ethics
- Crisis Response
- Providing Services
- Communication
- Patient Privacy and Confidentiality
- Counseling Skills
- Administrative Tasks
CCAPP provides you with the education necessary to complete certifications in California and allows you to move forward with continued education if you wish to obtain your Master’s degree.
Through CCAPP, you have access to numerous discounts on certifications, conferences, and trainings throughout the year. Membership is for those practicing in the state of California and allows for the development of state-wide networking. In order to register with CCAPP, however, a 9-hour course must be completed in order to be certified and once completed, a one-year, complimentary membership to CCAPP is awarded. If yourcertification has been achieved through another organization, the registration cost is only $40.
Sober College’s School for Addiction Studies is CCAPP approved, meaning you can take advantage of all of the benefits associated with the consortium. This makes it easier to find job opportunities and connect with other professionals in the field. With access to numerous trainings throughout the year, you have ample opportunity to explore the substance use counseling field. Learn more about our CCAPP accredited program.
What is CAADE?
The California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE) was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1984 and provides higher education opportunities in addiction studies. The program requires a minimum of 36 units of coursework, but in some places such as California, you may be required to complete 315 hours of education. While this may seem like a large jump in numbers, units do not represent the number of hours completed in coursework and are actually comparable.
CAADE college courses can be applied towards credits for completion of a program. This can help those without a degree still work towards achieving their certifications. Much like the other certifying bodies, CAADE offers members the ability to network with others to find employment in the state, attend conferences and trainings, and work on furthering their education.
How to Transfer from CAADE to CCAPP
CAADE has recently lost its accreditation and can no longer approve counselors. If you are already certified with CAADE, you can transfer to CCAPP. An online application can be filled out to transfer from CAADE to CCAPP. There are no costs associated with transferring to be certified by CCAPP.
What is NADAC?
The National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NADAC) was founded in 1972 originally as the National Association of Alcoholism Counselors and Trainers (NAACT). Over time, it has evolved to reflect the changing role of substance use counselors and the varying responsibilities of the profession. It is a national nonprofit membership organization that represents the United States, Canada, and those abroad.
NADAC offers different levels of membership depending on your status:
- Professional
- Associate
- Peer Recovery Support Specialist
- Student
- Military
- Retired
Through a membership, you have the opportunity to engage in numerous trainings (over 145 hours of free online continuing education options), access over 90 hours of webinars, and receive discounts of approved products, trainings, conferences, and workshops. Membership is open to anyone in addiction-focused fields.
Sober College’s School of Addiction Studies is certified with NADAC which allows you to connect with opportunities nationwide. Through this accreditation, you are able to utilize resources available through NADAC and potentially connect with other providers abroad. NADAC provides educational opportunities to members to expand their horizons and explore specializations within the field.
Becoming a Certified Substance Use Counselor
It is important to research the requirements in your state to achieve certifications and practice in the substance use counseling field. Sober College’s School of Addiction Studies is able to provide coursework designed to meet the requirements of your state and allow you to practice there. For more information about credentials in your state and what the Sober College School of Addiction Studies can help you achieve, call us at 424.229.4179, send us a message, or visit our program overview page.
Sources
https://www.naadac.org/about
https://www.naadac.org/membership-faqs
https://old.ccapp.us/membership/faq/
https://ccappmembership.org/index.php/individual-membership
https://dev.caade.org/
http://caadeccapptransfer.com/faq/
http://caade.tumblr.com/post/57177924888/when-is-36-greater-than-315
https://www.intercoast.edu/blog/ccapp/