For the helping professional, becoming a certified alcohol and drug counselor can be a rewarding career path. The International Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IADC) committee establishes minimum standards for certification of alcohol and drug counselors in 49 states and several countries. State boards in the United States are responsible for upholding these standards, and certification titles vary region. Chemical dependency professional, certified substance abuse counselor, and alcohol and drug counselor are the most sought after alcohol and drug counselor certifications.
In addition to state certifications, the IADC committee certifies alcohol and drug counselors in a ranked order, from entry-level counselors to clinical supervisors, for counselors who want to advance their credentials. Drug and alcohol prevention specialist and certified justice addictions professional are two specializations available internationally and at the state level. International certification is required for substance abuse professionals working for the US Department of Transportation (DOT).
The IADC’s general outline of requirements for obtaining an alcohol and drug counselor certification is followed most states. A minimum of 4,000 hours of work or volunteer experience in the field of substance abuse is required. At the associates, bachelors, and masters levels, education can be substituted for work experience. In addition, 315 hours of education or six courses in professional counseling modalities are required.
After an application has been approved and all requirements have been met, a national or state test must be taken in order to be certified. The test is administered in California the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC). For those seeking national certification in the United States, there is also a National Association of Drug Abuse Counselors test. Both boards have manuals available online. Earning 40 hours of continuing education credits every two years is required to maintain an alcohol and drug counselor certification.
Junior or two-year colleges frequently offer programs with courses that can be applied toward obtaining certification as an alcohol and drug counselor. Programs typically last one to two years, though some can be completed in as little as six months. Six courses are typically required, with a field practicum course that can be combined with the work experience. Prior to admission to a counseling program, some colleges require applicants to have six months to one year of experience in human services. Better schools offer career placement services to help students match their interests and needs with a potential employer.
Addiction counseling is a notoriously stressful profession. Clients with drug and alcohol addictions who see a counselor frequently have co-occurring disorders, such as mental illness or homelessness, which exacerbate their situation. Counseling in this field necessitates a high level of compassion and commitment. Alcohol and drug counseling, on the other hand, can provide the personal satisfaction of having a direct impact on people’s daily lives.
Exposure to the field of substance abuse will help prospective students make an informed decision about which certification to pursue. Counselors for drug and alcohol abuse work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, prisons, youth organizations, and treatment centers. These organizations provide work and volunteer opportunities to those who are not yet certified on a regular basis.