what course should i take for drug and alcohol counselor

How to become a certified drug and alcohol counselor?

Nov 19, 2021 · Bachelor’s in Psychology – Addictions & Recovery. At the undergraduate level, you may gain valuable skills that can help you get started in the field of drug counseling. The classes that you take may include Pharmacology for Alcohol Dependency, Substance Abuse Treatment, and Addiction Psychology.

How do I become a drug and alcohol counselor?

Bachelor’s Degree. With a bachelor’s degree in counseling, you’ll be able to help others to stop using drugs or alcohol as they work toward a healthy recovery. To be able to work as a substance abuse counselor, you need to have, at the minimum, a …

How do I become a certified drug counselor?

Oct 23, 2018 · National University’s undergraduate certificate in alcohol and drug abuse counseling prepares you for entry-level employment and is a stepping stone to pursuing advanced degrees in psychology or other fields or a career as a therapist in the mental health community.

What are the requirements to be a drug alcohol counselor?

Dec 17, 2021 · For example, students enrolled at Metropolitan State University pursuing a 120-credit bachelor's degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling take classes in chemical dependency diagnosis; case...

Where do substance abuse counselors make the most money?

For example, you might earn a higher salary on average if you work at a hospital compared to a local substance abuse clinic. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, counselors who work for government agencies and in hospitals tend to earn the most money.Feb 16, 2021

What are the roles of a substance abuse counselor?

What does a substance abuse counselor do?Meeting with clients to evaluate their health and substance problem.Identifying issues and create goals and treatment plans.Teaching clients coping mechanisms.Helping clients find jobs or reestablish their career.Leading group therapy sessions.More items...

What is the most important characteristic of an effective drug and alcohol counselor?

Strong ethics and a sense of personal integrity are essential qualities for any addiction counselor to possess. Addiction costs people their jobs, their families and their freedom.Jun 11, 2020

How much does a certified drug and alcohol counselor make in California?

The average salary for a drug & alcohol counselor in California is around $38,571 per year.

Are counseling and therapy the same thing?

Counseling is also usually more short-term than therapy. Psychotherapy is more long-term than counseling and focuses on a broader range of issues. The underlying principle is that a person's patterns of thinking and behavior affect the way that person interacts with the world.Dec 8, 2021

What are the pros and cons of being a substance abuse counselor?

Pros: It is very satisfying to see clients gain skills and beliefs that enable them to live drug or alcohol free lives, with relationships restored and hope regained. Cons: There is a lot of emotional drama as clients come off their drug of choice and begin to learn to live and work with other women.

Who is a therapist person?

A therapist is a broad designation that refers to professionals who are trained to provide treatment and rehabilitation. The term is often applied to psychologists, but it can include others who provide a variety of services, including social workers, counselors, life coaches, and many others.Nov 19, 2020

What is the demand for mental health counselors?

Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 23 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.Dec 13, 2021

What are the 8 practice dimensions of addiction counseling?

Training is designed to familiarize the participant with the eight practice dimensions necessary for effective performance as an addiction's counselor: clinical evaluation; treatment planning; referral; service coordination; counseling; client, family and community education; documentation; and professional and ethical ...

How much does a substance abuse counselor make with a master's degree in California?

The average Substance Abuse Counselor salary in California is $62,220 as of March 29, 2022, but the range typically falls between $54,850 and $69,770.

How much does a licensed counselor make in California?

The average salary for a licensed professional counselor is $86,081 per year in California.

How much does a licensed MFT make in California?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $127,311 and as low as $51,613, the majority of MFT salaries currently range between $60,460 (25th percentile) to $112,565 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $120,921 annually in California.

What is applied behavioral science?

In the study of applied behavioral science, you’ll explore why people behave in the ways that they do. Your studies will touch on several disciplines, including sociology, economics, communications, and psychology.

How long does it take to become an addiction counselor?

You should expect it to take over six years to become a licensed addiction counselor. Bachelor’s degrees usually take four years, and master’s programs typically take two years. Accelerated programs may speed up those processes.

Can a drug counselor get a license?

Drug and alcohol counselors may be eligible for a variety of certifications and licensures. The options you choose to pursue may depend on your area of interest and the requirements for addiction counselors in your state. Certification and licensure are not always the same.

What is a bachelors in psychology?

Bachelor’s in Psychology – Addictions & Recovery. At the undergraduate level, you may gain valuable skills that can help you get started in the field of drug counseling. The classes that you take may include Pharmacology for Alcohol Dependency, Substance Abuse Treatment, and Addiction Psychology.

What is CACREP counseling?

For a future counseling career, you might want to look for a substance abuse counseling program with programmatic accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This organization reviews colleges’ counseling programs to determine whether they meet the highest standards for counselor education.

What does an alcohol and drug counselor do?

What Does an Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor Do? To become a substance abuse counselor, the counselor must become therapeutic allies with their clients as they find out what works for their clients. One therapy may not work at all for one patient but be very beneficial for another.

What is NCCAP certification?

This is the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCCAP). A national certification course and exam helps to standardize the services and their quality offered to clients in some facilities and individual states require you to have this certification, even if the state does not.

What do counselors do?

Counselors may be required to meet with family members of their clients, help clients identify their triggers for abuse, create treatment goals and plans, refer their clients to support groups, lead individual and group therapy sessions, help their clients find jobs and write or update court reports.

How do counselors help with substance abuse?

Counselors trained in substance abuse treatment know how to develop rapport with clients, they have cultural competence so they can work well with a variety of people, and they build effective communication skills so they can ask the difficult questions and get their clients to look at why they use.

Is burnout a real issue?

As well as confronting the issues their clients are facing, counselors have to be able to handle their own. Burnout is a real issue for many types of counselors and, in a situation when your client is at very real danger for relapse, the stakes are understandably high.

What is an associates degree in substance abuse?

Associate Degree. By beginning your college education at the associate level, you’ll be able to become a substance abuse counselor who is able to work with individuals and their families. You’ll complete intake interviews, conduct family counseling, manage cases, and keep records.

How to become a substance abuse counselor?

It’s possible to enter a profession as a substance abuse counselor through a master’s degree in mental health counseling. If you specialize in drug and alcohol counseling, you’ll have the skills you need to work with those people seeking your help. After you earn a master’s degree in counseling, you’ll need to earn a license at the clinical level.

Why do people abuse drugs?

People abuse alcohol or drugs for a myriad of reasons, often as a way to deal with stress and problems in their lives. A person doesn’t have to be addicted to a substance to be abusing it. Substance abuse is similar to addiction in that a person enjoys the mind-altering effects, whether physical, emotional, or psychological.

What is a drug and alcohol abuse counselor?

A drug and alcohol abuse counselor is a person with experience in providing treatment to clients who want to learn how to reduce or remove their unhealthy dependence on destructive substances and behaviors. Counselors work with individuals, families, couples, and groups to share a variety of techniques and treatments for coping with problems in ...

How many hours do you need to be a substance abuse counselor?

Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Requirements. Most states require 415 academic hours of substance abuse counseling to qualify for work in the field, as well as a specific number of practicum hours.

What is the job of a substance abuse counselor?

The specific substance abuse counselor job description will vary, depending on the place of employment, but generally, counselors provide treatment and support to assist individuals in recovering from addiction or modifying problem behaviors such as eating disorders.

What is a CADC counselor?

This counseling field encompasses many job titles, including certified alcohol drug counselor (CADC), addictions counselor, case manager, chemical dependency counselor (CD counselor), clinical counselor, correctional substance abuse ...

What is the fastest growing occupation in the United States?

Substance abuse counseling is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 23% increase from 2016-2026 due to a rise in people seeking addiction and mental health counseling services, as well as states seeking treatment and counseling services instead of jail time for drug offenders.

What makes a good counselor?

Other qualities that make for a great counselor include: Active listening – knowing how to read between the lines as clients talk about their lives. Empathy – being able to see experiences from your client’s perspective; putting yourself in their shoes. Compassion – showing genuine concern for a client.

What is substance abuse counseling?

By Linda Ray. Substance abuse, which includes drugs and alcohol, is a disease that affects both users and society at large, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. As a substance abuse counselor, you can make a dent in the problem while making a difference in the lives of substance abusers. Education requirements vary by state and ...

How to become a substance abuse counselor?

You must have a master’s degree, pass a state exam, and serve 2,000 to 3,000 hours under clinical supervision to become a private substance abuse counselor. States have varying regulations that govern the industry and the scope of your responsibilities based on your credentials.

How long does it take to get a masters in substance abuse?

Advancement. It usually takes two years to complete a master’s degree in substance abuse counseling. Your coursework will include a combination of clinical and classroom assignments. Classes may consist of topics such as the psychosocial implications of substance abuse; family treatment; the legal and ethical impact of substance abuse counseling;

What do you learn in a bachelor's degree?

In a bachelor's degree program, you’ll learn the basic physical and psychological aspects of addiction and its prevention. You’ll take classes in chemical dependency diagnosis; addiction research and statistics; psychological evaluation;

Who is Linda Ray?

Linda Ray is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years reporting experience. She's covered business for newspapers and magazines, including the "Greenville News," "Success Magazine" and "American City Business Journals.".

Overview

The drug and alcohol counseling certificate program prepares master's- and doctoral-level professionals to:

Curriculum and Timeline

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).

Admission

Applications are accepted for fall quarter enrollment only. Each application is assessed at the time of completion. At this time, applications are accepted from 29 states in the United States. Please check here to see if your state is included. Applicants must:

Contact Information and Application

For further details and additional information about the Drug and Alcohol Certificate, please contact the program director, Randall Walker, MS, LMFT, at rrwalker@llu.edu or 909-558-4547, ext. 47012.

What is the job of a counselor?

Main job duties typically include assessment of the client and their behaviors to determine whether they are addicted and, if so, what they are addicted to . To do this, counselors use certain standards, such as certain types of questioning and/or surveys, to identify the extent to which someone uses a certain substance.

How does community reinforcement work in therapy?

In this model, alcohol and drug abuse counselors use reinforcers from various aspects of life to encourage clients to live cleanly. For example, a client in therapy might learn new social skills that allow them to meet with and interact with new people without feeling the need to drink or do drugs to do so. Another example might be using time with one’s family as an incentive to make drug-free choices and lead a clean life.

What is CBT therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common treatment for individuals that struggle with alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and other highly addictive drugs like cocaine. In CBT, counselors help clients identify the behaviors that lead to or facilitate the use of drugs or alcohol.

How long does it take to become an alcohol and drug counselor?

In order to become alcohol and drug abuse counselor, you need to obtain a master’s degree, which can take approximately two years after your bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree can usually be completed in four years of full-time coursework. You can obtain your bachelor’s and master’s degrees either in counseling or social work in order ...

What is the treatment for drug abuse?

Essentially, contingency management uses rewards that reinforce positive, healthy behavior and choices. For example, a client with an alcohol addiction might receive a reward for every drug test they successfully pass. Often these rewards take the form of vouchers for goods like food or movie passes that are consistent with living a drug-free lifestyle.

How much does an alcohol counselor make?

The average annual salary of an alcohol and drug abuse counselor in 2019 was $44,860 (BLS). This would vary, though, depending on where you work. For instance, you might get paid more on average if you work at a hospital rather than a local substance abuse clinic. Addiction Social Worker Careers.

What is motivational enhancement therapy?

Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is yet another effective therapy used by alcohol and drug abuse counselors. Used most often with people that have a cocaine, nicotine, or alcohol addiction, MET takes a rapid approach to facilitating internal change. Rather than proceeding slowly through a program of specific steps, MET focuses on the counselor giving specific feedback to the client, who internalizes that feedback and makes a detailed plan for change. The counselor then uses motivational interviewing techniques to strengthen the client’s resolve to stick with healthier choices.

What can I do after I get my drug and alcohol license?

After you acquired your license – you can begin to pursue any national certification in the field of drug and alcohol counseling. These certifications are used to demonstrate your capacity and working knowledge of the subject. Making you more attractive as an employee in hiring institutions.

Do you need a license to be a drug counselor?

A drug and alcohol counselor is required to have an active license from their state , and one cannot practice without it. Each state has its own laws, which include licensing requirements making it difficult to say exactly what the rules are overall.

What is self-paced counseling?

Our Self-Paced Online Counseling Program was created specifically for those with busy lifestyles or those looking to complete their education as quickly as possible. Like our Accelerated Program, our Self-Paced Program is offered entirely online and designed for students who want to work within their own schedules.

What is a moodle course?

We Use Moodle, A Personalized Learning Environment: The counseling course material is delivered via Moodle, an online learning platform. Since all coursework is submitted on Moodle, students can trust that all work is organized, secure and visible to their instructor in real time. Moodle also offers time management tools and interactive assignments, catering to the varying needs of students trying to earn their counseling certification online.