Substance Abuse Counselor Training in Oregon - OR

The job of a substance abuse counselor is a highly sensitive one. He or she must deal with people who are physically, emotionally and mentally addicted to drugs and alcohol on a daily basis. This requires a great deal of specialized training, not only in areas such as counseling but also in some of the physical aspects of addiction. Formal substance abuse counselor training in Oregon is mandatory before you can earn licensure to practice in that state.  In Oregon, an associate’s degree is the minimum degree one must possess in order to eligible to earn CADC I credentials. This degree should be in a human service field, and should include at least 150 hours of drug and alcohol education. Coursework must include basic counseling skills, group counseling skills, alcohol and drug pharmacology, HIV/AIDS risk assessment and reduction, and counseling ethics.

In addition to coursework, Oregon requires that its CADC I associates have at least 1000 hours of experience in dealing with the competencies of the position. Oregon follows the CSAT Addiction Counselor Competencies, established by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. government. These competencies include transdisciplinary foundations; the practice of addiction counseling in individuals and groups; clinical evaluation; treatment planning; referral; service coordination; client, family and community education; and professional and ethical responsibilities. After training is completed, the candidate for CADC I must pass the NCAC Level 1 examination before being certified to practice in Oregon. Training and experience should well prepare any candidate to pass this test.