How to Be a Drug Counselor
Drug counselors, also known as substance abuse counselors, help people address and overcome addiction issues. Substance abuse counselors must complete rigorous training standards in order to be certified at the national level. While an individual may become a counselor without professional certification, national certification allows potential clients to measure the effectiveness of their counselor on a professionally standardized guide. The National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) provides national certification.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Internet access
- Textbooks
- Practice test (optional)
- $60 practice test fee (optional)
- Certification test
- $205 to $305 for certification test fee
- Application
- Code of ethics
Instructions
-
-
1
Obtain an associate's degree, bachelor's or master's degree in a field such as social work or psychology. Alternatively, you can obtain a substance abuse certification.
-
2
Obtain state certification or licensing, as required by the state. Each state has a different certification process, but typical minimum requirements beyond the education requirement are additional training in substance abuse counseling. Background checks on the candidate may be conducted by the supervising substance abuse counseling agency.
-
-
3
Complete three years (or 6,000 hours) of direct, supervised, documented work experience, either paid or volunteer, for any agency offering substance abuse counseling to persons dealing with addictions. Work experience must be practical and address the 12 core functions of a counselor including: screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, report and record keeping and consultations with other professionals.
-
4
Document 270 education hours in a formal classroom setting in material related to the 12 core functions. College or university courses, workshops, in-services, seminars and institutes all qualify towards the education requirement.
-
5
Agree to and sign the Code of Ethics statement found on the Professional Testing Corporation website in the application packet. The Code of Ethics covers a wide range of ethical concerns including but not limited to: the acceptance of diversity, maintaining objectivity, keeping personal issues out of counseling, promoting client welfare and proper use of copyrighted materials.
-
6
Pay fee ($205 for NAADAC members, $305 for nonmembers).
-
7
Send packet, completed application and required fee to:
Professional Testing Corporation
1350 Broadway, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10018
212-356-0660 -
8
Take and pass the written exam.
-
9
Receive final certification approval.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
In between Steps 5 and 6, candidates may opt to take an online practice test for $60. Advanced areas of expertise include Level II and a master's of addiction counseling (MAC). These increasingly knowledgeable experts spend additional time meeting education, training and work experience requirements. Other areas of substance abuse specialties include: adolescent specialists, nicotine specialists, conflict resolution, spiritual caregivers and substance abuse professionals. While the first four specialty areas are fairly self-explanatory, substance abuse professionals provide intervention and assistance to professional drivers who have violated the Department of Transportation code of conduct regarding substance abuse.
Advancement to the MAC level of substance abuse counselor can be a painstaking and time-consuming process.
References
- Photo Credit weapons "n drugs image by Lynn M. Johnson from Fotolia.com
