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Learn How To Become a Substance Abuse Counselor

The book has a rich appendix containing sample assessment forms and contact information for organizations, associations, and other resources related to the treatment of addiction. Those in private practice have more control over case management and treatment. Their goal is to uncover the cause of addiction and help patients learn coping strategies. We asked Dr. Kevin Doyle to answer the most common questions related to the licensure and certification process. I understand that consent is not a condition to purchase any goods, services or property, and that I may withdraw my consent at any time by sending an email to [email protected].

How much do substance abuse counselors make?

• Addiction presents different issues that vary from person to person, so counselors need to tailor their treatment plans to address a variety of needs.
• We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses.
• In addition, opioid use disorder (OUD) patients receiving these medications also receive counseling and other behavioral therapies to provide a whole-person approach.

Application fees are $230 for the initial application and a $200 renewal fee due every two years. Renewal applications must include a work history for the preceding two years, proof of 40 hours of CEUs, and a signed statement affirming knowledge of, and support for, the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics. To attain one’s MAC credential, you must first hold a master’s degree in substance use disorders/addiction. Applicants might also hold an advanced degree in social work, counseling psychology, marriage and family counseling, or some other related field. Other education requirements include three years of full-time work in the field or a total of 6,000 hours of supervised experience as a substance abuse counselor or other professional, state-licensed counseling position. Applicants need 500 contact hours of education in substance use disorders/addiction, six hours of ethics training, and another six hours of training in HIV/other pathogens within the previous six years.

What Are the Education Requirements for a Substance Abuse Counseling Career?

However, a program that lacks accreditation or whose accreditation is lacking in some way will produce graduates whose degrees lack integrity. Since this specialty is relatively new, there is little in the way of consistency between each state. Some require lengthy periods in which burgeoning counselors must work under close supervision. After obtaining your qualifying degree, you must then take steps to become a substance abuse counselor, outlined below. Mental health issues and behavioral disorders often coincide with addiction.

Is addiction counseling the right career for you?

This is done through individual face-to-face counseling sessions, group therapy sessions, and more. The total cost of our program (not including books) is just $4,250, which is far less than you would pay at most colleges and universities. You can pay the entire tuition upfront or pay over six months or even 12 months, depending on your needs.

Get Started on Your Addiction Science Certificate at USI

Government agencies generally pay the highest wages, followed by hospitals and social service agencies. Many drug and alcohol counselors start out as interns in residential care and move up as they complete their intern hours and earn their licensing credentials. Though a bachelor’s degree is considered sufficient for counselors in most states to acquire certification, a master’s degree in this field is required in some and preferred in most states. Sometimes called “therapists,” mental health counselors train in a variety of therapeutic techniques. They treat emotional conditions, such as depression, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress and overall problems with self-esteem and grief.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Again, to make sure they’re on the right path to becoming a drug and alcohol counselor, students should educate themselves about specific state requirements. Florida, for example, requires students to complete a course in human sexuality. We offer this course as an elective, but it’s not a part of the core curricula. If a student knows what education they need to attain before they graduate, they will likely be able to meet those requirements here at the Graduate School.

• However, it requires access to evidence-based treatments and long-term support.
• Triggers are often different for everyone, and what triggers one person may not trigger another.
• A supervisor must verify that experience and then an additional 60 contact hours in academic training is required.

Like most career fields, there is a correlation between the amount of education and training you accumulate, and the salary, autonomy and job responsibilities you will have once you start working. A Bachelor’s Degree, earned at the college or university level, is typically the first step for students who wish to acquire the skills and certification needed to counsel individuals with substance abuse problems. The most common major for students pursing substance abuse counseling is in Alcohol substance abuse counseling & Drug Abuse Studies or Addictions Counseling. After students build a strong foundation in counseling and the behavioral sciences (with a bachelor’s degree) they have an opportunity to focus their academic pursuits on a more specialized area of study. Completing graduate level coursework with a Master’s Degree, or a Doctorate (PhD) degree will provide students with the knowledge and skills required to become a licensed counselor and to work in private practice if they so desire.

• If you’re ready to pursue addiction counseling as a career, it’s time to start making a plan.
• Once you have completed your supervised experience, you can apply for a counseling license in your state.
• To make sure you’re getting the skills and clinical training you need, start thinking about licensure and certification requirements as soon as possible.
• And as mental and behavioral health awareness continues to grow, along with access to treatment, so does the demand for qualified substance abuse counselors, also known as addiction counselors.

The IC&RC Exam

The Nationally Certified Addiction Counselor II (NCAC II) certification is not granted solely on the basis of education – but it is granted only to individuals with bachelor’s degrees. Substance abuse counselors often work in community services or other public facilities. You will also need work experience before you can attain certification or licensure.

The Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) credential is appropriate for counselors looking to specialize in family therapy. Employers should consider creating a WSR Program to prevent substance use, reduce stigma, and encourage treatment and recovery. The following is the curriculum for individuals with a clinical master’s or doctorate degree from a CSWE-accredited program.