We discussed how InterCoast Colleges could help you get a drug counseling certificate. If you’d like to get a career in this field underway, you must take the following steps. They should guide you in the right direction as you seek a drug counseling certificate. Mental health counselors help meet the mental, emotional and behavioral needs of individuals, groups, organizations and communities. Their work includes assessing clients experiencing psychological distress, developing treatment plans and providing therapeutic support, psychotherapy and crisis management. The BLS states that the need for counselors will remain high as state governments seek to treat people who are incarcerated and live with addiction and mental health disorders.

• Job requirements for substance abuse counselors vary by state and specialty.
• Our curriculum is NAADAC-approved, IC&RC-approved and CCAPP-approved, so we can provide education to students just about anywhere in the United States.
• Additionally, there are many tools you can find online to help you examine the nature of your alcohol use and your behaviors surrounding it.

Most addictive substances contribute to illnesses substance abuse counseling and the general breakdown of the human body.

Counselor Licensing and Certification Boards by State

In some states, you can work as a substance abuse counselor, sometimes called a technician, trainee, or assistant, with a high school diploma if you are working under the direct supervision of a licensed counselor. However, it is more common for states to require licensure based on at least some formal training in alcohol and drug counseling, be that a certificate or degree program. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of substance abuse counselor degree programs that can help you meet these requirements. Many clinical positions such as private practice assignments as a mental health counselor also require state licensure. Beside educational attainment, clinical work experience is often required and may be satisfied through practicums and internships such as those included in Lamar University’s counseling master’s degree program.

“Because of the need in this specialty, we designed the program for professionals who need to pick up enough education credits to get certified in substance abuse therapy,” says Dr. Posson. Substance abuse refers to the habitual use of a mind altering substance, whether it’s alcohol or drugs. Although most substance abusers may find that they are seemingly blessed with a number of positive side effects of these substances, the reality is that these substances are ultimately very harmful. For instance, these substances not only harm a person’s body, but they can also fracture their soul.

How to Get Started with a Career in Drug Counseling

Drug and alcohol counselors may also provide referrals to other professionals such as medical doctors and psychologists when clients have problems that fall outside their scope of practice. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most states require addiction counselors to earn licensure or certification, particularly those in private practice. An addiction counselor certification can be obtained through a dedicated educational program and after gaining experience in the field. It’s important to distinguish between the various types of positions that are often referred to as “counselors” in the area of substance abuse and addictions therapy. Each treatment center has a unique set of staff titles that are created by their human resources departments.

Substance abuse counselors must also
understand software programs, like
TherapyNotes. Self-employed substance abuse counselors also need marketing and accounting
skills. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS), projects the need for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental
health counselors to rise 22% between 2018 and 2028, much faster than other
industries. Substance abuse counselors earned a median annual salary of
$46,240 in 2019. When counselors are not treating patients, they can become educators and lead workshops, projects, or programs that benefit the community and raise awareness of addictions. Education requirements to pursue such a path may vary, so aspiring professionals should do well to research recommended steps beyond the bachelor’s level.

We sourced salary data for this section from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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 & 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.

It’s crucial to remember that statistical data on earnings and pay for substance abuse and addictions counselors may represent the average for all positions, for all organizations, and/or for those who have master’s or Ph.D. degrees. Alcohol and drug counselors are known by several different names, but most commonly are known as certified alcohol and drug counselors (CADC), licensed alcohol and drug counselors (LADC) or perhaps alcohol and drug counselors (ADC). While names may vary from state to state, the requirements for substance abuse counselor certification tend to be identical. Dr. Posson was involved in developing the undergraduate certificate program and knows full-well the toll that drug and alcohol abuse can take, particularly on military families. I completed my master’s degree late in my Navy career and was selected to become a program manager for substance abuse counseling in Italy,” he recalls.