Online Substance Use Counselor CADC Certification

Note that the initial credentialing fee is currently $235 and then the credential can be renewed every two years with an additional $200. Additionally, counselors need to complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) every two years. Renewals also require a work history for the previous licensure period and a signed affidavit attesting that one has read and agrees to the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics. Substance abuse counselors are included under the wider umbrella of addiction counselors, who typically must be licensed to practice. Licensure ensures that counselors have the skills, knowledge, and experience to provide quality treatments for addictions in clinical settings.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

You must have completed a total of at least 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of graduate-level academic credit in counseling from an institutionally accredited program. The program is 13 quarter units and anticipated to be completed in one year with full-time enrollment. The 100% online program consists of both synchronous and asynchronous content. Each practicum course is synchronous—students and the professor meet via Zoom for two consecutive hours every other week during the quarter (5 meetings each quarter). All other courses are asynchronous—students and the professor remain in consistent contact but there are no required meeting times. Embarking on a journey to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) is a commendable decision that reflects a commitment to improving lives and addressing the challenges of substance abuse.

Professional Organizations

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. 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.

FAQ: Counseling Careers & Degrees

Again, requirements to become a drug counselor will vary depending on the location of the practice. You’ll typically need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to practice counseling. As the prevalence of substance use disorder increases, many addiction counselors pursue an additional license as a mental health counselor. Additionally, you must complete specific coursework in addiction counseling, accumulate supervised clinical experience, and pass a certification exam. Addiction counselors are mental health professionals who help people manage drug addiction and co-occurring disorders.

• Nearly every state requires counselors to have a graduate degree from a CACREP-accredited institution.
• Substance abuse counselors utilize a variety of tools to help in this process.
• Fentanyl’s widespread use has meant that opioid abuse can no longer be considered contained to one demographic group.
• A counseling abbreviations list can help you make sense of the letters you sometimes see after a therapist’s name.

Frequently, state licensing agencies offer this credential as a second-tier licensure for substance abuse counselors. Though different states have their own schemas for how they rank licenses, the LASAC can be the next step after one has worked for a while as a licensed substance abuse counselor technician. To become a LASAC, applicants are usually required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution. Their degree should be in psychology, social work, or a closely related field. State boards often require certain courses and transcripts should reflect a balance of coursework above the introductory, or 101, level. Examinations, ethics courses, background checks, and references are frequent education requirements for licensure.

Drug and Alcohol Counseling (Certificate Online)

On top of the degree requirement, the credential requires 450 contact hours of education in substance abuse disorders/addiction counseling. Applicants must also complete 6 hours of ethics training and then 6 hours of HIV/other pathogen training within the 6 years prior to application. Finally, applicants must provide passing scores on the NCC AP’s NCAC Level II exam, pay a non-refundable initial credentialing fee of $235, and then be prepared to pay $200 every two years after that for licensure renewal. Renewals must also include evidence of 40 CEU hours, a verifiable work history for the past two years, and a signed statement affirming adherence to the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics. Addictions counselors who wish to specialize in adolescent care should consider this national certification. Applicants need at least a bachelor’s degree in substance use disorders/addiction or some related field such as social work, mental health counseling, or psychology.

Either faculty will address it, or students will circulate rumors and other stories attesting to its relative difficulty. When a program is accredited, that proves to everyone that their graduates have completed a set of courses that meet the standards of an independent accreditation agency. However, a program that lacks accreditation or whose accreditation is lacking in some way will produce graduates whose degrees lack integrity. Finally, state licensure shows that a counselor has satisfied certain requirements and is thus able to practice within the scope of that license. While experience is always a huge benefit when seeking employment, a license is iron-clad proof of skills and knowledge. The Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School educates future leaders in addiction counseling who provide evidence-based integrated care for substance use and co-occurring disorders.

Mental Health Licensing: A Handy Glossary of Credentials

This kind of therapy could also be a requirement of someone’s jail sentence, probation, or parole. If you are learning about the substance abuse counseling field, substance abuse counseling we suggest starting with the basics. Advanced certifications and degrees can open up further opportunities in program management or clinical supervision.