Search our Site!

Healthcare Articles
5 Tips for Surviving the Toughest Nursing Classes
By : Jennifer Willson
Publish date : May 6, 2011

From first year anatomy to a specialized nursing continuing education class, nursing courses can be tough work. But a few key strategies can help you get through whatever nursing school throws your way. Read More...

  Read More...

A Psychology Degree is a Great Tool
Publish date : Mar 25, 2010

A vast host of job opportunities are available to the person who possesses a psychology degree, and the type of psychology degree you choose to pursue should be based on your career goals for the future. Read More...

Addiction Counseling Skills
Publish date : Mar 25, 2010

Effective addiction counseling skills can help treat addictions, which can be defined as any behavior or the use of any substance that is controlling a person's life. Find out how to acquire addiction counseling skills. Read More...

Certified Addiction Counselor Training & Education Programs

Certified Addiction Counselor

What are Addiction Counselors?

Certified addiction counselors try to help people who are addicted to substances such as alcohol or drugs, who gamble compulsively, and those struggling with eating disorders. Addiction counseling or substance abuse counseling helps clients identify the behavior problems and patterns associated with their addiction. As a certified addiction counselor you may work with individuals, families or groups of people who are somehow connected to the same problem.

Study and Learning

Almost every state requires that a person who is giving addiction counseling outside of the school system be certified or licensed. If you want to work in a school as a substance abuse counselor then you are required to be licensed. Since many states require that you have a master's degree in order to be certified, formal education is essential for keeping your employment options open.

While certification for addiction counseling is mandatory in most situations, the specific requirement for licensing varies between states, cities and even employers. Most have set a bachelor's degree as the minimum expectation but many expect those giving addiction and substance abuse counseling to have achieved a master's degree. If you are thinking about becoming a certified addiction counselor in a school you may be asked to obtain a teaching certificate in addition to your counseling license.

Employment Potential

The trend has been for there to be more job openings than certified addiction counselors to fill them. This pattern should continue as additional openings are created through retirement and career changes. Where government funding is available more schools are choosing to hire certified addictions counselors as the benefits of early substance abuse counseling are recognized. If you are considering a career in addictions counseling then you should plan on achieving a master's degree from an accredited university.