But there are other reasons a graduate program is your best option if you’re looking for a long-term career in the substance use disorder (SUD) counseling field. You will gain valuable real-world experience working with highly qualified counselors. Addiction counselors are mental health professionals who help people manage drug addiction and co-occurring disorders. Substance use counseling is a rapidly growing field that offers individuals the opportunity to help others overcome addiction and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in substance use counseling can equip students with skills and knowledge related to addiction, mental health, and therapeutic techniques for recovery. With therapy, a person who has become dependent on drugs or alcohol is often more likely to overcome an addiction, and several types of therapy are helpful in this process.
Substance Abuse Counselor – Drug & Alcohol
Sometimes, individuals are unaware of what the drugs they are using contain, such as when heroin is laced with fentanyl. In these cases, people intending to take a typical dose may unknowingly substance abuse counseling use a much higher and potentially fatal amount. People who misuse drugs or alcohol often do so as a way of coping with experiences, memories, or events that emotionally overwhelm them.
Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees
These services can help spouses, partners, caregivers, children, siblings, and even friends. Research has shown that peer-delivered recovery support services, including 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), can be beneficial for people recovering from SUD. Guided Self-Change (GSC) is a brief cognitive-behavioral and motivational approach first developed for people with alcohol use disorder and then expanded to treat other types of substance use.
Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC)
Here, they’ll work to uncover the triggers or causes of alcoholism or drug abuse. Substance abuse counselors without a master’s degree will need to work under supervision, while those with an advanced degree may work on their own. Our program can be completed in as few as three semesters full-time if you already have a college degree. In this guide, we’ll explore the role of an addiction counselor, the steps and importance of addiction counselor certification, and how to start a career as a certified addiction counselor. Addiction counselors are in high demand, with a projected employment growth of 18% from 2022 to 2032, according to the BLS.
- A family might contact a drug addiction counselor for assistance in behavioral intervention, such as when a person’s loved ones confront them about the consequences of their substance abuse.
- While it can be overwhelming to acknowledge and seek help, it’s important that you do — and know that you’re not alone.
- Each treatment center has a unique set of staff titles that are created by their human resources departments.
- But colleges are generally only concerned with licensure in their area, so it may be helpful to research differences in licensure requirements between your state and the state where your school is located.
- The curriculum requires at least 15 Christian credits along with major classes such as General Psychology, Assessment and Treatment Planning, and Diversity Issues in Counseling.
Degree Levels
- The treatment may last from 8 to 24 weeks and is often used as an adjunct therapy alongside other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or 12-step programs.
- Graduates may find careers in human resources, case management, or care coordination.
- Students should ensure their program is accredited, as most states won’t accept degrees from unaccredited institutions.
- The specific requirements vary by state and may include completing a certain number of supervised clinical hours, passing an exam, and participating in continuing education to maintain licensure.
You can apply for a National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 1 certification through the NCCAP after three years of work experience as a substance use counselor. You must then pass a test and pay a nonrefundable $235 fee to receive your credential. Students at City Vision University (CVU) with an interest in a Christian education have the option to pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Addiction Counseling. Liberty University (LU) students have the opportunity to pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology – Addiction & Recovery. Southern New Hampshire University Online (SNHU) offers psychology students an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Addictions. An addiction is a disorder characterized by the compulsive use of a rewarding substance or activity despite experiencing adverse consequences.
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By Kendra Cherry, MSEdKendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the “Everything Psychology Book.” The goal is to support each person’s self-efficacy so that they feel motivated and capable of achieving their goals. Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the “Everything Psychology Book.”
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How to Become an Addiction Counselor
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