Addiction Counseling Training

By Ashley Boyce, an allied health world staff writer
Published: February, 27 2010

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What types of classes are taken in substance abuse counselor training programs?

The following are the standard addiction counseling courses associated with Substance abuse counselor training programs:

Professional Development in Addiction Counseling
Introduction to Addictive Drugs
Physiological Actions of Alcohol & Other Drugs
Chemical Dependency and the Family
Chemical Dependency Counseling Techniques
Case Management for Chemically Dependent Clients
Relapse Prevention
Cultural Diversity in Addiction Counseling
Adolescent Addiction
Group Process in Chemical Dependency Treatment
HIV/AIDS Risk Intervention & Blood Borne Pathogens
Ethics and Professionalism in Chemical Dependency
Chemical Dependency and the Law
Addiction Counseling Clinical Practicum
Intro to Family Systems: Intervention and Prevention
Lifespan Psychology
Abnormal Psychology

What’s involved in internship and externship programs?

Internships (paid supervised clinical practice) and externships (unpaid supervised clinical practice) are a standard part of the process by which counselors work towards earning their associate’s degree or substance abuse counselor certificate. Internships are structured as part of the substance abuse counselor training programs and allow counselors to enter the field while still in school so as to provide their much-needed services before graduating. As well as having the benefit of allowing more professionals into the field sooner, this also allows students to become extremely familiar with CDP roles and responsibilities while they earn their degrees.

The internship requirement for associate degree level substance abuse training is 2500 hours of supervised work in either an in or outpatient treatment facility or clinic. With a bachelor’s degree the requirement is 2000 hours, and with a master’s degree it’s 1500 hours. The work is only supervised to the extent that evaluations are reviewed by a senior licensed CDP staff member or the facility’s medical director. Any rulings made regarding reprimand or periods of suspension for those who don’t abide by the expectations of the program, and recommendations of any kind regarding the handling of a patient must also be approved by senior, certified staff members before being made final. The actual supervision is typically limited to this type of back-end oversight. The bulk of the work being performed, including individual and group counseling sessions, is done by the intern without much direct supervision at all. Interns are, in effect, kicked out of the nest to counsel and support their clients in the same way a licensed CDP would.

What are some different approaches to treating addiction?

As all substance abuse counselor training programs will assert, most treatment programs for drug addicts and alcoholics are based on either immediate of eventual abstinence from use. All programs work to immediately reduce drug abuse, improve the patient’s level of functionality, and minimize or eliminate medical and social problems associated with substance use. As part of substance abuse counselor education you will learn that most all approaches to treatment are similar in that they follow the same formula for providing peer support through group counseling sessions and an opportunity to explore the causes of addictive behavior through one on one counseling sessions. Client progress reports are maintained so that a patient’s success or pattern of relapse can be tracked in an effort to determine the efficacy of treatment and the patient’s demonstrated willingness to put in the work necessary to achieve sobriety.

Inpatient or residential treatment is the option that is most appropriate for severe addictions associated with a pattern of severely self-destructive or criminal behavior. Residential treatment programs provide the recovering addict a safe and clean environment free of the temptations that might lead to relapse.

12-step programs have been popularized by notable organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). They outline a specific process towards achieving and maintaining sobriety based on a theological belief system. Although still extremely popular and very effective, new methods have been developed that cater to those who don’t care for the spiritual aspect and who don’t share a similar belief in a higher power.