Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Program

The course material for both hybrid and online formats are accessed via Moodle, an online learning platform that provides a personalized learning environment for our students. Since all coursework is submitted on Moodle, students can trust that all completed assignments are organized, secure and visible to their instructor in real time. Moodle also offers time management tools and interactive assignments, catering to the vast needs of students. For online students, Moodle helps provide the student interaction that can sometimes feel left out of online course formats.

Crisis Systems Response Training and Technical Assistance

Depending on your state and the type of licensure you plan to pursue, you might also need to complete supervised, post-graduate professional practice as part of your substance abuse counseling training. Explore 4 leading events, coast to coast, that make up the Symposia on Addictive Disorders – the nation’s premier source for advanced addiction treatment and behavioral health education. At all of our events, you’ll find yourself among hundreds of like-minded professionals, networking and learning from field experts. We keep top-quality learning affordable in Fisher’s addiction counselor certification online program through our commitment to accessibility and excellence. The Addictions Counseling Graduate Certificate tuition per credit hour is $781, and you can apply for the $6,000 Theodore Everett Berlin Scholarship. We also offer numerous other types of financial aid to co-fund future counselors like you.

Certified Prevention Professional (CPP)

• Whether someone is battling drug abuse, alcoholism, or another type of substance addiction, counseling plays a critical role in guiding them toward recovery.
• 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 demand for certified professionals in substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, according to the U.S.
• The perfect candidate for this program has a desire to assist individuals in recovery through identifying behaviors and problems relating to their addictions and then providing support for behavioral change and maintenance of sobriety.

As a working practitioner or other counseling and mental health professional, earn your certificate over just three 12-week terms, including a 300-hour internship, and gain individualized support and guidance from our faculty and advisors. Other certifications, like Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) or Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), may require more education and experience, cover a broader scope of practice, or focus on more advanced treatment modalities. Substance abuse counselors assess clients, develop treatment plans, provide therapy, and teach coping strategies for managing addiction. They also offer emotional support, monitor progress, and collaborate with families and healthcare professionals to ensure successful recovery. Continuing education is crucial for CADC professionals to keep up with the latest practices, theories, and regulations in the field of addiction counseling. Most certifying bodies require a certain number of continuing education units (CEUs) for certification renewal, typically every two years.

Internship / Practicum Experience

As of May 2023, the median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was reported to be $53,710, according to the BLS. This figure reflects the central point of the earnings spectrum, with half of the counselors earning more and half earning less. Salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience, and the specific setting in which a counselor works. At Hazelden Betty Ford, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from top counseling experts at the nation’s leading nonprofit addiction treatment center. When you graduate, you’ll have the training and real-world clinical experience you need to succeed in your field.

• As a substance abuse counselor, you become a member of a support system for individuals with drug and alcohol dependencies, behavior-related addictions, eating disorders, and other issues connected with addiction.
• CADC certification equips professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide effective therapy and support in various settings.
• There are many different master’s degrees and counseling programs to fit your goals.
• Since every state is unique, check your state regulatory board for how to apply.
• LADC I and CADAC-II certifications allow you to practice independently and receive insurance reimbursement in Massachusetts.

If your goal is to become a substance abuse counselor, we can help you decide which program option best meets your needs. We understand that going back to school is a big, and often challenging step… we can help. The MAC certification attests to the educational background, knowledge, skills, and competencies of the specialist in addictions counseling. NCCs who hold the MAC credential are eligible to seek Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) status through the U.S.

• Prepare and create unique approaches for each client as you help them identify and modify problem behaviors.
• Even at entry level drug and alcohol counseling positions, substance abuse professionals are estimated to start out earning greater than $42,000/year.
• Other certifications, like Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) or Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), may require more education and experience, cover a broader scope of practice, or focus on more advanced treatment modalities.

• A small group found a way to bridge the differences between states, then nations.
• The training and best practices for SUD counselors are continually evolving, so you’ll want to keep professional development for counselors opportunities on your radar.
• Additionally, some substance abuse and addictions counselors might opt to start their own private clinics.
• Examples include the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium’s (IC&RC) Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examination and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examination.
• We keep top-quality learning affordable in Fisher’s addiction counselor certification online program through our commitment to accessibility and excellence.

Even at entry level drug and alcohol counseling positions, substance abuse professionals are estimated to start out earning greater than $42,000/year. Sober College School of Addiction Studies will provide you with the techniques to work with individuals, groups, and families in both theory, and through practical application. SAMHSA’s practitioner training offers tools, training, and technical assistance to practitioners in the fields of mental health and substance use disorders. The addiction counselor certification online application will prompt you to provide official transcripts demonstrating that you hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Group therapy offers a sense of community, reduces feelings of isolation, and provides opportunities for individuals to share experiences and support one another. There are different specialists involved in helping individuals along their road to recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. CADC certification is generally substance abuse counseling recognized in many states, but each state has its own specific requirements and regulatory body. It’s important to check the details with the certification board in the state where you intend to practice. Courses and internship experiences offered at the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School are designed for substance use and mental health licensure. Sober College School of Addiction Studies is designed for working professionals.

Recovery Coach

Our program is designed for aspiring addiction counselors who have a passion to counsel those who are currently suffering from the effects of substance abuse. The perfect candidate for this program has a desire to assist individuals in recovery through identifying behaviors and problems relating to their addictions and then providing support for behavioral change and maintenance of sobriety. You can be located in California, or in any of the states our program is approved in.