Training and Education to Become Addiction Counselor

Students and human services professionals who are willing to become an addiction counselor are required to pursue relevant education and training in this field. Education and licensing needs are different from state to other state. Some states allow high school diploma holders possessing professional certification in substance abuse counseling to start career in addiction counseling. However, some states ask professionals to possess specific substance abuse counseling degree. Most of the states require bachelor’s level counseling degree or even masters level degree for those who want to become licensed professional.

It is of critical importance to find out training and education requirements to acquire this profession in any specific state. You should know minimum education standards to start career as professional. While masters level degree is essential to qualify state licensing exam of specific state. More specifically, master’s level degree in counseling from a top accredited university is mandatory need to get state license. This degree consists of sixty semesters in combination with supervised internship work experience. Due to current trend of hiring qualified professionals in every field, key employers for addiction counselors encourage their employees to obtain specific training of addiction counseling. Even some employers announce and run professional training programs to train their workers. On the other hand some employers provide financial support to their workers to join degree programs in state endorsed universities. Professional and qualified addiction counselors also take part in post graduate trainings, workshops and professional certifications to upgrade their license and knowledgebase.

Major advantage of possessing addiction counselor training and education is that it enables degree holders to take right career start in this field. Students and professional counselors who have completed relevant degree and training courses in the field of addiction counseling become more knowledgeable and skilled. They become capable of handling and helping people suffered with drug or alcohol addiction. They will also able to understand all public issues of common people who are addicted or live with addict persons. They also know all street names and drug terminology that drug or alcohol addicts use. Irrespective to stage or professional phase relevant training and education help students to study theories and modalities and substance abuse treatment models. They are also able to understand other disorders that co-occur with addiction like mental illness, spiritual and sexual problems and even family issues of an addict. Moreover, focused curriculum of these degree programs also teach them skills of effective listening and communication. They utilize these skills to understand individuals facing and struggling addiction. They deeply evaluate whole situation to suggest best possible solution. Besides this, they become aware of making right recommendations to in-patients or out-patients treatments.

All 49 States and District of Columbia have developed a specific licensure that observes training, education and practical experience of qualified counselors. Professionals must possess at least master’s level degree in counseling to pass exam to get this license. Additionally, students are also required to attend specific number of practical work hours under supervision of licensed professional. They must strictly follow ethical codes and standards to keep all clients’ information confidential.  It is also important to know the required number of hours of internship for different level of degrees like 2500 hours internship is required for associates, 2000 hours for bachelors and 1500 hours for master’s degree.

Addiction has become a major health issue in USA. Addiction counselors are the professions who plays vital role to tackle this issue. They help individuals suffering with any kind of drug and alcohol addictions. These professionals work as an individual counselor as well as group counselor. Online counseling degree with more focus on addiction is considered as primary requirement to work as a professional in this field. Furthermore, if you are interested to obtain state license to become certified professional you must pursue at least master’s level degree in counseling with relevant specialization.