Substance Abuse Counselor Training in British Columbia - BC

Substance abuse counselor training in British Columbia focuses on education in the various aspects of chemical dependency. Some schools incorporate this education into their social work degree programs, while others offer substance abuse education as a separate program. Options exist for students to pursue a certificate in substance abuse counseling, which takes nine months to one year to complete; an associate degree, which takes approximately two years to complete; a bachelor degree, which is completed in about four years; and graduate degree programs in chemical dependency, which can take an additional two to four years beyond undergraduate school to complete.

Regardless of which option you choose, most courses that you will encounter in substance abuse education programs in British Columbia will be similar. Courses you should be taking include pharmacology; signs and symptoms of substance abuse; individual, group and family counseling; treatment approaches and options; working with special populations; and case management.  If you plan to pursue certification after graduation and requisite work experience has been achieved, you must fulfill at least 270 hours of substance abuse education, with six hours in professional ethics and responsibilities. Additionally, you must fulfill 300 hours of a practicum for most certifications in a setting where alcohol and drug counseling is provided.