Become a Substance Abuse Addiction Counselor State Licensure Guide

Automated retrieval programs (commonly called “robots” or “bots”) can cause delays and interfere with other customers’ timely access to information. Therefore, bot activity that doesn’t conform to BLS usage policy is prohibited. By Kendra Cherry, MSEd

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the “Everything Psychology Book.” John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

• Your course work will veer in that direction as you make your way through the four-year program.
• The role of the counselor in addiction treatment involves far more than just talking an addict through treatment.
• Luckily, you can make your life easier by doing little things every day to help you become more organized.
• However, individual requirements can vary depending on the state and the employer.
• “The programs we can build because of this grant will help us target the specific issue of alcohol and other drug use that overwhelms college students nationwide.

Sometimes this may involve being on-call and working weekends, evenings, and nights. Professionals who work in substance abuse counseling also work to educate people about the effects and risks of drug and alcohol misuse. Psychoeducation is often conducted in a group therapy setting and helps participants learn more about the effects that substances have, the related behaviors that often contribute to drug use, and the potential consequences.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Substance abuse counselors are employed at government agencies, clinics, hospitals, outpatient treatment centers, nonprofits, and residential treatment programs. Most substance abuse counselors are trained to provide services based on 12 core functions. The path to recovery from cocaine and alcohol addiction often requires more than just willpower.

• There is also a notable element of shame that comes with older adults relying on drugs or alcohol to cope with stress, which can lead to the gravity of this issue being underreported or never reported at all.
• The tuition for a master’s degree program at a public institution, in-state, can cost an average of $8,670 yearly and the tuition cost per year for a doctorate program is $10,830 at an in-state public institution.
• Licensed addiction counselors are experts at understanding the underlying causes of addiction.
• In addition to this, some psychology schools will allow you to choose a concentration, such as substance abuse counseling.
• The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.

If you have the compassion, empathy, and determination this field requires, take your first step in helping people heal by learning more about our certificate and bachelor’s programs. An addiction counselor (substance abuse counselor) provides expert care and support to people who have substance use disorder (SUD), like alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder. The average cost for a substance abuse counseling certificate is approximately $4,000, which is part of what makes these programs so attractive to students pursuing a career in this field.

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Or it could be an exam through the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCCAP). Join us on January 29 for the largest annual national gathering dedicated to advancing the prevention of substance use and misuse. We’ll celebrate the 20th anniversary of SAMHSA’s 20th Prevention Day (SPD), explore current innovations, reflect on past accomplishments, and chart a course for the future of prevention. Disorganization can lead to unnecessary problems and create challenges that are difficult to overcome. Luckily, you can make your life easier by doing little things every day to help you become more organized.

Trained information specialists answer calls, transfer callers to state services or other appropriate intake centers in their states, and connect them with local assistance and support. South Carolina State University’s Counseling and Self-Development Center has been awarded a $195,000 state grant to bolster its student substance abuse recovery efforts. One of the biggest advantages to getting your substance abuse counseling degree on line is the ability to move at your speed. If you’re interested in finishing your degree quickly, some programs allow you to complete coursework at an accelerated rate. Your undergraduate education will combine both a liberal arts education with your major in psychology. You’ll often take core classes in the first half of your program and specific psychology courses in the latter portion.

What Is a Substance Abuse Counselor?

An individual’s specific educational background and experience will determine the type of services they can provide. Substance abuse counselors may also utilize an approach known as motivational interviewing to help people with addictions find the motivation to make changes in their lives. Using this strategy, counselors offer empathy and support while encouraging clients to see the discrepancy between where they are now and where they want to be. The support of friends and family plays an integral role in recovering from addiction. Since recovery is a lifelong journey, having supportive family members who understand the process is of profound importance. Family members who are informed about addiction recovery can help keep their loved ones accountable and greatly increase their chances of success.

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree you have the option to progress even further in your education and pursue a master’s. A master’s or doctoral degree is required in order for you to start your own private practice or teach college-level courses in psychology or counseling. To become a substance abuse counselor, you will need a master’s in psychology or social work. This process helps rid the body of the harmful substances while managing withdrawal symptoms. Under the supervision of medical professionals, detoxification ensures a safe and supportive transition to the next phase of the recovery journey. They may provide individual counseling, lead group therapy sessions, and intervene during crises.

In addition, you will have the ability to assist communities, families, and individuals with your applied skills and knowledge. Bulldog Recovery will organize recovery-focused advocacy activities, carry out recovery-focused community education and outreach programs, and provide peer-based recovery support services. Working with clients in this population can certainly create a lot of frustration, burnout, and compassion fatigue.

This population’s use and possible overuse of these medications has been historically normalized. While this approach works well in the short term, there’s no proof it helps you stay away from drugs any longer than outpatient programs, which you’ll attend for anywhere from a few hours to several hours a day while you live somewhere else. Professionals in private practice must be licensed by the state where they work. Such requirements vary from one state to the next, but most require between 2,000 and 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, the passage of a state licensing exam, and the completion of continuing education credits every year. Those with master’s-level degrees in fields such as psychology, social work, counseling, and related fields can provide individual counseling or may work in private practice.