In addition to working with the individual with a substance use problem, counselors also work with couples, families, and others who may be affected by an individual’s substance use. Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere. Join Grand Canyon University’s vibrant and growing campus community, with daytime classes designed for traditional students. Immerse yourself in a full undergraduate experience, complete with curriculum designed within the context of our Christian worldview. As an alternative, OASAS will consider your work experience in the absence of sign-off by your QHP supervisor pursuant to a Waiver Request.

It takes a therapist a little more time to figure out which problems you’re trying to solve and what approach will work best. Whether you’re looking to advance your current career or are looking for an opportunity to learn to treat one of America’s most harmful disorders, our BS in Substance Abuse Counseling can help you get there. CBT is one of the most popular therapies in addiction medicine, and counselors use it to treat a variety of addictions.

Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling

Courses explore child welfare, the criminal justice system, crisis theory, and professional boundaries. The addictions and mental health treatment program requires you to complete 400 onsite practicum field hours. These professionals work with individuals who experience a range of substance use issues. This may involve working with people with alcohol use disorders, but they may also work with clients with substance use disorders involving drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and prescription medications.

• Through home visits or phone calls, you’ll work with clients to set personal and career goals, coordinate services and complete paperwork.
• Graduates of our degree in addiction counseling will have met academic requirements for a chemical dependency license under the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board’s guidelines for Licensed Chemical Dependency counselor III (LCDC III).
• The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS.
• As a private, nonprofit university, we’re committed to making college more accessible by making it more affordable.
• Further, graduates meet the educational requirements for professional certification through the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP).

Such practical experience can go a long way toward fulfilling your career aspirations to become an addiction counselor. If you want to earn your online substance abuse counseling degree to provide direct services that involve screening, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and treatment of substance use disorder, you will likely need to seek state licensure. Often, substance abuse counselors will focus on addressing complications in your life caused by substance use and on helping you develop relapse prevention skills. They’ll only delve into the issues underlying your substance use after they’ve helped you gain some stability in your recovery. Such statistics as are available indicate that older adults have the same rate of abstinence after counseling as younger substance abusers; about 50 percent remain abstinent 1 year after treatment. As a rule, late-onset alcohol abusers do better than seniors with previous histories of substance abuse; one study found that they are twice as likely to avoid relapse as those who had abused alcohol or substances in the past.

Admission Requirements

You can also qualify for the liability insurance required to start your own private practice — which means setting your own hours and rates. One way to boost your salary prospects is to get a master’s degree while working as an addiction counselor. With a master’s degree, you can qualify for clinical or directorial positions that have much higher pay. I feel that women of color are underrepresented in the field — and it’s hard to find a therapist who can relate to being a person of color facing microaggressions and similar conflicts. This has been part of my experience, too, when I’ve gone to therapy, so I felt it was important to create that space. The goal is to help people gain greater self-awareness and an understanding of the community resources and treatments available to help them recover.

University of Holy Cross’ faith-based BS in addiction counseling provides a foundation for recovery counseling and intervention. Courses include addictive behaviors, juvenile delinquency, and the psychology of human sexuality. UHC graduates can find entry-level work in treatment centers, correctional facilities, and hospitals.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

The same report found that less than 10 percent of people who needed treatment for substance use disorder received it. The need for well-trained counselors who can diagnose, assess and treat addiction is greater than ever—for those who have never received treatment and for the millions of people who benefit from counseling services every day. Like other counselors and psychologists, substance abuse counselors work closely with individuals and groups to identify problem behaviors and offer solutions. Substance abuse counselors, however, focus on the world of addiction and its far-reaching effects, with the aim of assisting patients in finding the right path to recovery and staying on that path for as long as possible.

• If you want to screen, assess, diagnose and treat people living with substance use disorder, you’ll need to seek licensure.
• With a bachelor’s degree in addiction counseling, you can find work in specialized treatment programs, mental health centers, hospitals, or government agencies.
• Because of the difficulties many abused clients have with intimacy, the new experience of having someone who listens and whom they can trust can sometimes lead them to believe that they are in love with the counselor.

The following conclusions regarding counseling individuals with substance abuse problems have been highlighted. Many students go on to pursue a master’s degree in counseling to gain access to roles with more responsibility, better pay, and greater impact. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/substance-abuse-counseling/ Online master’s programs can give you the flexibility to keep working and gaining real-world experience while earning your degree at the same time. Purdue University Global’s BS in psychology in addictions examines pharmacology, prevention, and recovery.