Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors

High School

High school students who are considering a career in alcohol and drug abuse counseling should choose a curriculum that meets the requirements of the college or university they hope to attend. Typically, four years of English, history, mathematics, a foreign language, and social sciences are necessary. In addition, psychology, sociology, physiology, biology, and anatomy provide a good academic background for potential counselors.

Postsecondary Training

The educational requirements for alcohol and drug abuse counselors vary greatly by state and employer, work setting, and level of responsibility. A high school education may be the minimum requirement for employers who provide on-the-job training, which ranges from six weeks to two years. These jobs, however, are becoming increasingly rare as more states are leaning toward stricter requirements for counselors. Some employers require an associate's degree in alcohol and drug technology. Most substance abuse counselors, however, have a bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, health sociology, or social work. Many two- and four-year colleges now offer specific courses for students training to be substance abuse counselors.

Many counselors have a master's degree in counseling with a specialization in substance abuse counseling. A master’s degree is required to become licensed or certified as a counselor. Accredited graduate programs in substance abuse counseling are composed of a supervised internship as well as regular class work.

Certification

The NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals offers certificates in multiple categories, including conflict resolution in recovery and women in recovery. Contact the association for more information.

Other Education or Training

The American Counseling Association offers online continuing education classes that cover topics such as best practices, ethics and legal issues, technology, and management issues. The NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals offers webinars, seminars, and other continuing education opportunities on topics such as conflict resolution, counseling and treatment strategies, and advances in technology in the addiction profession.