Requirements to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor
Substance abuse counselors assist individuals who are unable to control their intake of various substances, including illegal drugs, alcohol, prescription drugs and other addictive items. Substance abuse counselors work in medical facilities, hospitals, halfway houses and rehabilitation centers; in addition to fulfilling specific education and experience requirements, substance abuse counselors must have an enduring sense of compassion for individuals unable to control addictions.
Other People Are Reading
-
Bachelor's Degree
-
Although many states have varying requirements for substance abuse counselors, most are required to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Students are taught about drug prevention and treatment, the physical effects of chronic drug use and the emotionally destructive results on drug users and their families. According to Education-Portal.com, classes may include pharmacology and psychopharmacology, group counseling, individual counseling and sociology of addiction. Other classes include psychological evaluation, chemical dependency diagnosis, treatment planning, relapse prevention, family counseling and addiction statistics and research. Bachelor's degree students graduating with a degree in substance abuse counseling are typically required to complete an internship or supervised clinical practice as a graduation prerequisite.
Master's Degree
-
Substance abuse counselors are often required to earn a master's degree for state licensing or certification purposes. Most master's degree programs require the following admissions prerequisites: a "B" or better undergraduate grade point average, high scores on the Graduate Record Examination, a personal essay and letters of recommendation. Some graduate programs in substance abuse counseling may also require applicants to sit for an admissions interview and submit proof of having supervised counseling experience. As with bachelor degree programs, master's degree students are required to practice supervised patient observation and care.
-
Certificate Course
-
Certificate courses are often required of graduate-level students preparing to sit for a state certification or licensing examination in substance abuse counseling. Students with bachelor's degree are required to have two years counseling experience in order qualify for a certification course; students with master's degrees need to have one year of experience. Courses include substance abuse career assessment, individual counseling, group counseling, physical effects of substance abuse, family dynamics and intervention techniques.
Licensure
-
Many states require substance abuse counselors to become licensed or certified. Requirements vary; applicants will have to check with her state's certifying bodies for complete details. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that substance abuse counselors are often licensed or certified by state agencies different than the ones that certify other counselors. Requirements can range from a high school diploma and counseling certificate to a master's degree and clinical experience.
-
References
- Photo Credit drugs image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
