Certified Addictions Counselor Training
PROFESSIONAL ADDICTIONS COUNSELOR TRAINING PROGRAM
Our Certified Addictions Counselor Training and Education Program at The Addictions Academy will prepare you to have a great rewarding career as an addictions professional that offers substance use disorder services to your clients. A Certification in Alcohol and Drug Counseling is a career that is in high demand due to the increasing opioid epidemic and the lack of qualified professionals to assist with the current crisis. As a Certified Addictions Counselor, you will be at the forefront of helping others with their drug and alcohol addictions, and our training programs are designed for the busy professional that wants to study online and complete the program in 3-10 months.
We are fully accredited and approved by CACCF, IAAP, AACT, ACTPO, FLA Board, and IC & RC. All of our training is valid by any country that has IC&RC Reciprocity, including the USA, the EU, Canada, Japan, and Africa.
If you are unsure what hours and practicum you need, please call us at 1.800.706.0318 and speak to an Admissions Counselor.
Our Certified Addictions Counselor Training at The Addictions Academy is accredited and approved as a CORE Provider (along with many secondary universities and colleges). Our training is accepted in the USA, Canada, in the European Union, and 25 other countries and prepares you to sit for the individual board exams and the International Board exam, the IC&RC. Any location governed by IC&RC (California state, Florida state, etc.) and the Canadian Board, CACCF, will accept these hours to sit for the exam.
Once enrolled in our program, you will receive the 445 hours of online self-study education necessary to understand how to counsel clients with addictions in 10 different core areas of required training. This is the CORE training that you need to sit for the state, province, and country exams. Some locations require a practicum and most require field hours. We offer online practicums for California.
If you are unsure what hours and practicum you need, please call us at 1.800.706.0318 and speak to an Admissions Counselor first before registering so that we can walk you through the entire process.
How does it work?
Step 1: Enroll in the training program. Choose the full payment option for all the classes to be instantly downloaded onto your student portal. The paid-in-full option allows you to take the training as slowly or quickly as you would like and also offers you a price break. Most students complete the program in 3-6 months, but you have 14 full months to complete the courses and you can go at your own pace and comfort level.
If you choose the monthly payment option, you have 10 months to complete the program and will receive a course per month and pay as you go.
*Both options include ALL books, materials, exams and exam prep, and certificates. There are ZERO extra fees.
Step 2: Complete the training, print your certificates, and begin your practicum or field hours — the number of field hours varies by location and requirements, based on if you hold a high school diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, or Master’s Degree. If you are unsure what hours and practicum you need, please call us at 1.800.706.0318 and speak to an Admissions Counselor.
Step 3: Download your complete application packet from your state, providence, or country and add your training certificates, your field hour paperwork, and the application and send it to the correct board. This state or country board will give you the exam date.
Step 4: Take the exam for the local board and the International Board (IC&RC). Once you pass the exams, you will be a Certified (or licensed) addictions counselor in that location.
Where Addiction Counselors work is in the field of addiction varies by state and country requirements. Most Addictions Counselors will work in a professional addiction treatment setting, for a private or nonprofit corporation, or even in private practice. We can prepare you for all the job roles and functions you will encounter as a certified (or licensed) addictions counselor. In the USA there are a few states that require that you complete an addiction counseling degree program before you sit for the state exam (this may be a Bachelors’ Degree or a Master’s Degree, please check with your specific state). We are accredited by the Florida Certification Board to offer 350 hours in the 9 domains. We are also accredited by CACCF, the Canadian Board as ‘an approved Educational Institution with our organization and that the Addiction Counseling program meets our Formal Education requirements for Certification.’
Accreditations
We are accredited by the following organizations.
What exactly is in your addiction counseling training program? This is the training portion that you will need to sit for the state and international (IC &RC) exams. You will need to complete all of the training.
TAA100: Understanding Addiction/Treatment Knowledge (an overview) 80 hours
- Overview of addiction and treatment/history
- Understanding when addiction treatment protocols are necessary
- Understand and apply The Disease of Addiction and treatment options and modalities (overview)
- Understand Dual or Triple Diagnoses (mental illness, HIV, mental disability)
- Understand Etiology/Causation of Addiction and dependence liability
- Gain Knowledge of History of Addiction and/or Addiction Treatment
- Involvement and Treatment of Family in Recovery
- Apply the Models of Treatment/Evidence Based Progress
- Understanding Other Substances and Behavioral Addictions
- Pharmacology and Physiology (including alcohol) 45 hours specific:
- Understand and apply Differentiation between Tolerance vs. Dependence markers
- Learn Psychoactive drugs, toxic and therapeutic effects/uses
- Understand and apply basic pharmacology principles
- To gain knowledge in the Physical Aspects of Addiction, Brain Science
- Understanding the Relationship of Addiction to Health, Crime, and Other Social Problems
- Signs, Symptoms, Progression of Addiction
- Understanding additional Treatment Components
- Types of Service Modalities (residential, outpatient, etc.)
- Use of Support Groups
- Understanding human development theories: Lifespan, Role Theory, Self-Actualization, Self in Relations, Attachment Theory, etc.
- Understanding how human development and cognitive abilities form and relevancy to addiction
- Understanding Nature vs. Nurture Concepts
TAA 101: Documentation: 15 hours
- Utilizing Assessment Tools, Assessing Treatment Signs and Progress
- Utilizing Client Screening Tools (those currently in use)
- Understanding Client Intake Procedures
- Understanding and Utilizing Discharge or Transfer Summaries
- Creating Proper Clinical Documentation
- Understanding Electronic Health Records/Technology
- Understanding Privacy & Confidentiality
- Creating and Generating Progress Notes
- Understanding how to engage clients in the treatment process
- Creating Psychosocial Summaries
- Reports/Record Keeping/Records Management
TAA 102: Counseling Theories and Techniques: Individual and Group: 80 hours
- Client Progress Assessment and Response
- Developing Counseling Theories/Techniques
- Creating a Therapeutic Relationship with the client
- Demonstrating Active and Empathetic Listening Skillset
- Demonstrating Mirroring, Reflecting Listening, and Paraphrasing situations with the client (oral presentation/role play)
- Developing a Therapeutic Alliance with the client in 5 steps
- Applying Evidence-based Practices
- Understand the relevance of Individual/Group/Family Counseling
- Understanding Transference, Counter Transference
- Demonstrating Motivational Interviewing Techniques and 3 effective questioning techniques (oral presentation/role play)
- Demonstrating Communication Styles; Challenging, clarification, Reflection (role play)
- Types of Treatment Programs/Levels of Treatment
- Create and Understand Group Intervention
- Knowledge of Counseling Theory versus Counseling Practice
- Understanding Group Therapy Dynamics
- Creating Counselling Techniques in group settings
- Application of Life Skills and implementation of problem-solving techniques in Group settings
- Establishing a therapeutic relationship setting
- Creating Safe Space in a Group
- Creating and Demonstrating life skills in Group Techniques
- Understanding Group Intervention Techniques
- Understanding Counseling Theory
- Understating the differences between educational, psychoeducational, therapeutic, and self-help groups
- Creation of group curriculum
TAA 103: Application to Practice/Professional and Personal Growth: 50 hours
- Care for the Caregiver/Self Care
- Understanding Burnout and personal wellness
- Understanding your limitations as a counselor
- Understanding burnout and compassion fatigue
- Demonstrating Crisis Intervention/Verbal De-escalation
- Understanding Ethics and Ethical Decision-making
- Understanding Differences between Individual, Group, and Family Counseling Techniques (role play)
- Understanding Laws Governing Privacy, Confidentiality, and HIPAA
- Understanding Management and Leadership Skills
- Understanding Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Understanding Models of Treatment
- Demonstration of Observation and Communication Skills (role play)
- Understanding Rules and Regulations that Govern Full Continuum of Services and Referrals
- Demonstrating Knowledge of Special Population Needs/Cultural Competence
- Demonstrating Supervision Techniques (role play)
- Understanding Research/Translating Research to Practice
- Understanding Wellness, Alternative Therapies, Nutrition
- Care Coordination
- Demonstration of Motivational Interviewing Techniques
- Demonstration of Trauma-Informed Care Approach
TAA 104: Treatment Planning and Special Populations: 30 hours
- Understanding Correct Client Placement Criteria
- Developing Individualized Treatment Plans
- Understanding Drug Court/Correction-based Treatment/Policy/Theory
- Enhancing Client Choice/Client-Directed Care
- Utilizing Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Treatment Protocols
- Understanding Youth/Adolescent needs
- Understanding the needs of Women, LBGTQ, Indigenous Populations, Geriatric, High-Risk populations
- Creating the proper Intake/Orientation to Treatment
- Understanding Medication-assisted Treatment
- Creating On-going Assessment
- Overcoming Barriers to Treatment Progress
- Understanding Special Population Needs: corrections, prison/parole/probation, HIV/Aids
- Understanding Mental health, dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders
- Creating Stages of Change and Treatment Goals/Interventions
- Following Treatment Goals and Measuring Success
- Treatment Planning/Models of Treatment
TAA 105: Clinical Evaluation: 35 hours
- Demonstrate how to assess drug and alcohol addiction
- Understanding the Tools of Assessment
- Understand Addiction & Human Growth/Development
- Demonstrate the Addictive Process and Readiness to Change Scale
- Understanding Client Orientation
- Knowledge and use of Client Assessment and Screening Tools
- Assessment Instruments, Procedures, and Techniques
- Creating and Demonstrating Client Engagement
- Understand how to Client Match to Service Array
- Understanding Detoxification Protocols
- Ability to Utilize DSM IV/Diagnosis Criteria / ASAM
- Understanding Motivational Interviewing
- Other Substance & Behavioral Addictions – Gambling/Smoking/Food
- Assessing Readiness and Motivation for Treatment
- Understanding and Applying Risk Factors/Risk Assessment/Risk Management
- Applying Screening Instruments, Procedures, and Techniques
- Utilizing Screening/Assessment for Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders
- Understanding Signs/Symptoms/Stages of SUD, Active Use and Withdrawal
- Urinalysis and Other Biological Assessments
TAA 106: Client, Family and Community Education (includes Domestic Violence, Cultural Diversity Requirements): 50 hours
- Understanding and Applying Adult Learning Theory
- Knowledge of Anger Management Skills
- Creating Client Education and Family Goal Setting
- Changing Criminal Behavior/Criminal Thinking Errors/Offender Treatment
- Understanding Co-Dependency and Moral Development
- Understanding Cultural Diversity/Special Populations
- Understanding Domestic Violence
- Understanding Family Dynamics and effects of addiction on various family roles
- Knowledge of self-help groups, educational, psychoeducational, and therapeutic groups, and demonstration of each
- Knowledge of HIV/TB/Hepatitis C
- Understanding and family interventions
- Demonstrating Application of Life Skills
- Knowledge of family counseling techniques
- Understanding and Demonstrating Theories of Counseling Techniques in the Family vs. Group and Individual
- Understanding Victim vs. Perpetrator Counseling
- Toxicology
TAA 107: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Responsibilities: 45 hours
- Understanding Boundaries / Transference
- Knowledge of Computer Ethics and online record keeping CRMS
- Understanding Cultural Competence, supervision, and professional development
- Understanding and Application of Ethical Decision Making / Code of Ethics
- Application of Laws / Rules & Regulations, including legal issues and correct reporting techniques
- Understanding Organizational Ethics
- Understanding Policy in Human Services
- Demonstration of consent versus negligence
- Record keeping in terms of legal and ethical necessities
- Understanding and Demonstration of Privacy / Confidentiality / HIPPA/Disclosure
- Understanding Relationships / Dual Relationships
- Understanding Sexual Misconduct
- Understanding client welfare is a primary concern
- Demonstrating Boundaries in the Therapeutic Relationship
- Understanding the relationship between referral sources and outside sources, counselors, and organizations
- Understanding the sensitive nature of financial issues of the client
TAA 108: Telehealth 15 hours
- Understanding Telehealth
- Understanding client portals and EMR systems
- Understanding HIPAA compliant software programs
- Knowledge of Covid 19 Exceptions, considerations, and new models
- Understanding Limitations of Telehealth
- Creating Documentation for online sessions
- Knowledge of DEA guidelines for prescriptions
- Knowledge of SAMSHA Guidelines
- Knowledge of Medicaid and Private pay guidelines
- Demonstrating Correct reporting techniques
- Understanding Health Privacy Rules
- Facilitating Resources/links for more information
TAA 109: Case Management and Referral: 45 hours
- Creating Advocacy/Liaison Activities
- Understanding Case Management Roles and Functions
- Creating Client Referrals and service platform coordination
- Creating Community Resources/Services
- Understanding Confidentiality/HIPPA Issues with Referrals
- Creating and Implementation of Consultation with other Professionals/ Self-help Groups
- Understanding Continuum of Care/Placement and aftercare follow up- follow-through
- Understanding and Utilizing Managed Care Systems
- Following the Referral Outcome/Evaluation
- Creating the proper Service/Care Coordination/Collaboration
- Understanding Special Population Needs
Practicum
Practicum is additional since it is only required in a few states. TAA 200 and TAA 201.
TAA 200: Supervised Practicum 45 hours
The course includes supervision by a qualified instructor and includes direct supervision. The instructor must also be available for consultation while the student is completing fieldwork requirements.
TAA 201: Supervised Fieldwork Practicum (Internship)
A minimum requirement of 255 hours of practical experiences performed at an agency approved by the aforementioned instructor. The student must complete all of the 12 Core functions at the internship site. Each core function requires a minimum of 21 hours of practicum. The application of knowledge and skills in a practice setting is essential to professional counseling. The fieldwork is the means by which students learn to apply and integrate acquired knowledge and values; and to refine skills that are taught in the classroom.
There are different levels of addiction counselors. You can become a Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC) or Certified Addictions Professional (CAP) or a Master Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP). You will need to check with your specific state.
Your Host for this Training, Dr. Cali Estes
Dr. Cali Estes is a Therapist, Life Coach, Recovery Coach, Addictions Coach, and Wellness Guru, Dr. Cali Estes has been named ‘The Female Dr. Drew’ by the media. She has been featured on CNN, NBC, FOX, ABC, KTLA, People Mag, Yoga Digest, and more.
She is the Founder of The Addictions Academy and the wildly popular Sober on Demand for an alternative to drug and alcohol treatment services. She has also created the first-ever addiction and mental health supplement line, ProRecoveryRx.
Monthly Payment Plan with one course per month over 10 months.
$499/month
$30,000 VALUE
- All Courses ( 1 per month)
- Manuals for courses
- Exams
- Bonus: Private FB Graduate Group
- Bonus: FB Networking Group
- Bonus: Job Board
- Bonus: Seals for social media, website, and marketing
- Bonus: Free 6 month online Directory Listing to get clients
- Bonus: Use of The Addictions Academy® logo AND Seal of Certifications
- Bonus: Eligibility to receive client referrals through The Addictions Academy
- Bonus: Discounted price for all courses and classes we offer.
- Bonus: Eligibility to join The Addictions Academy as an independent contractor
Accelerated Training Program with Immediate Access
$4999
$30,000 VALUE
- All courses downloaded at once for accelearted learning
- Manuals for courses
- Exams
- Bonus: Private FB Graduate Group
- Bonus: FB Networking Group
- Bonus: Job Board
- Bonus: Seals for social media, website, and marketing
- Bonus: Free 6 month online Directory Listing to get clients
- Bonus: Use of The Addictions Academy® logo AND Seal of Certifications
- Bonus: Eligibility to receive client referrals through The Addictions Academy
- Bonus: Discounted price for all courses and classes we offer.
- Bonus: Eligibility to join The Addictions Academy as an independent contractor
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We are pleased to offer a Free Consultation to address your unique needs and concerns and create a plan of action that suites your specific goals. When you’re in need of substance abuse treatment, our exclusive alternative to treatment offers a level of customization and fluidity that is unparalleled.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Counseling
How do I Become An Addictions Counselor?
Here are the detailed training domains (all 9 of them) and what they include. Requirements to become trained as a Certified Addictions Counselor or Certified Addictions Professional vary by state or country but the training must be comprehensive, and the hours completed prior to sitting for the particular exams. Here are the hours we offer, in the specific domains. All classes are fully automated online with exams in between each section to test your knowledge and prep you for the actual state and providence examinations.
Where do Addiction Counselors work?
Addiction Counselors’ work is in the field of addiction varies by state and country requirements. Most Addictions Counselors will work in a professional addiction treatment setting, for a private or nonprofit corporation or even in private practice. We can prepare you for all the job roles and functions you will encounter as a certified (or licensed) addictions counselor.
Are Addiction Counselors mandated reporters?
Yes, and it is included in the training along with ethics and documentation process reporting. You will learn HIPAA, Duty to Warn and other mandated reporting obligations for your newly chosen profession, addictions counselor.
