Substance Abuse Counselor Training in New Jersey - NJ

Formal training is mandatory for those who wish to become a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC) in New Jersey. The first step to substance abuse counselor training in New Jersey is, of course, to receive one’s high school diploma (or general equivalency). Next, you must obtain at least 270 hours of drug and alcohol education. This is usually offered in colleges and universities and online, sometimes as a part of a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, sociology or the like. Some schools treat substance abuse training as a minor, offering the proper amount of courses necessary to fulfill New Jersey’s requirements. Examples of courses that could be found in a concentration or minor for substance abuse counselors include: Introduction to Substance Abuse, Psychopharmacology, Counseling Substance Abusers, and a field work practicum.

The experiential portion of the training necessary to become a CADC in New Jersey must include 300 hours of supervised practical work experience and an additional 200 hours of supervised work experience (paid or voluntary). A practicum will teach you the day-to-day job requirement and duties of a CADC in a real-world setting. Here, you will get to practice with real people using counseling, treatment, assessment, and intake skills you’ve learned in the classroom. Upon graduation, you may apply to take the written and oral examinations to earn your CADC credential from the New Jersey state board.