A drug addiction counselor will first attempt to ascertain the type and extent of a client’s substance abuse before developing a therapy plan for them. The client is often interviewed for this purpose, and they’re encouraged to be absolutely honest about their behavior. Counselors who work with substance-abuse clients may also be able to tell something about them based on specific behavioral and physical characteristics. If you or someone you know is in need of substance abuse counseling, seeking professional help from a qualified substance abuse counselor can make a significant difference in the recovery process. They can provide the guidance, support, and expertise necessary to navigate the challenges of substance abuse and achieve lasting sobriety.
Step 2: Obtain an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree (2-4 Years; Optional)
The CAC certificate can be an additional asset to a college degree or earned without prior college education. Still, non-degree-holding candidates will typically need to complete more hours of substance abuse counseling work experience than degree-holding candidates. These counselors work with a team of healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive care. They can operate in various settings, including private offices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community health clinics. Their ultimate goal is to help individuals overcome their addictions and achieve long-term recovery through specialized care and guidance.
Addiction Counselor (formerly known as Substance Abuse Counselor)
Upon graduation, individuals may venture into professions at addiction counseling agencies, outpatient treatment centers, and hospitals. This online degree in addiction studies aims to help students cultivate self-awareness and critical thinking, substance abuse counseling stimulating them to challenge and reassess their own beliefs and those of others. Some required courses include Survey of Alchohol and Drug Problems, Addiction Treatments with Families, and Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health.
Addiction Counselor Graduate Programs
Many, though not all, self-help support groups use the 12-step model first developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. Self-help support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous, help people who are addicted to drugs. The goal of detoxification, also called «detox» or withdrawal therapy, is to enable you to stop taking the addicting drug as quickly and safely as possible. For some people, it may be safe to undergo withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis. Depending on the state you live in and the type of licensure you plan to pursue, you might also need to complete supervised professional practice. The assessment includes clinical interviews, standardized assessment tools, and possibly physical examinations.
They provide emotional support and help clients develop coping mechanisms and healthy strategies for managing cravings and triggers. Additionally, counselors may assist clients in rebuilding strained relationships with family and friends, promoting a strong support system during recovery. During CBT sessions, substance abuse counselors work with their clients to identify distorted beliefs and thoughts related to substance use. By challenging these thoughts and replacing them with more rational and positive ones, individuals can gain greater control over their actions and make healthier choices.
- Seek out the education and mentorship that you need for it, but also know it can easily become a passion due to seeing the severity of need in the field today.
- Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us.
- According to employer data collected by Burning Glass Technologies, substance use counselors need these skills when creating treatment plans, documenting patient progress, and managing their caseload.
- Sometimes, hearing from others who’ve been through addiction recovery can be helpful.
- There are numerous online master’s programs and on-campus options with flexible schedules, which allow students to pursue higher education in this field while still balancing work or family.
- 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.
Quitting use of a substance may lead to withdrawal effects such as physical sickness, temporary personality changes, loss of appetite, insomnia, nausea, mood swings, and other disturbances. Opiate withdrawal, for example, can be particularly debilitating, but it is typically not fatal. Opioids affect the part of the brain that controls breathing, so large doses can slow a person’s breathing to the point of fatality. When an individual uses opioids over a period of time, a tolerance can develop, resulting in the need to use larger amounts of the substance to experience the same high. However, the body may not adapt quickly enough to the slower respiratory rate, and death may result. When opioids are mixed with other substances that have sedating effects, like alcohol, they can be even more dangerous.
Substance abuse counselors play a vital role in helping individuals navigate the road to sobriety. To become a substance abuse counselor, individuals must complete specific education and training requirements. This section will explore the required education and certification as well as specializations within substance abuse counseling. This 123-credit degree aims to provide a base-level understanding of mental health treatment solutions for addictions related to drugs and alcohol. Within this program, students can participate in courses such as Foundations of Addictions, Origins of Mental Illness, and Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Upon completion, graduates can explore counseling-adjacent careers in healthcare facilities, corporate environments, and criminal justice institutions.
Substance Abuse Counseling Degree and Licensure Guide
- Substance abuse counselors must be good listeners with strong empathy and the ability to set boundaries.
- The curriculum also includes a practicum element in which students provide counseling services under supervision in a mental health facility, hospital, or rehabilitation clinic.
- For many clients, the two diagnoses (substance abuse and mental health disorder) are deeply intertwined, requiring simultaneous treatment.
Addiction can often be difficult to treat, and there is a good deal of controversy surrounding the causes of addiction and the best approaches to treatment. Individuals who find themselves experiencing an addiction to drugs or alcohol often find the services of a mental health professional to be helpful in overcoming the addiction. For more information on relevant examinations, it’s advised that you contact your state government. If a person has the qualifying life experience of conquering addiction, they may be able to join the profession of substance abuse and addictions counseling with very little schooling. A person is considered to have useful knowledge in the field if they’ve been sober and clean for at least two years.
Alcohol use disorder
- Licensed addiction counselors are experts at understanding the underlying causes of addiction.
- Residential or inpatient treatments can be very effective, particularly for individuals with severe SUD and those with co-existing conditions.
- This psychology in addictions degree is structured to teach various elements of behavioral psychology, including the theories, practical applications, and individual skills needed to address addiction.
- This change has been one of the driving factors in the increased demand for substance abuse counselors.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 or above is another common admissions requirement, as are minimum test scores on the GRE or equivalent.
- One study found that people employed as supervisors were more likely to be certified or licensed and hold a masters-level degree.