Drug counselors help people recover from devastating addictions.
Within the field of counseling are several specialties, one of which is substance abuse, or drug, counseling. Generally, your training will pave the way to careers in drug centers, medical facilities and even schools. The path to this career can start with an unrelated degree that you follow up with professional drug counseling certification classes, or you can start with a degree program tailored to counseling.
You can study at the Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's level. Some courses may be purely clinical, while others carry a faith-based focus. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you usually need a Master's degree to become a licensed counselor, but you can be hired for this role and complete your studies while working.
Ohio Christian University (OCO)
As the name suggests, the Bachelor of Arts in Substance Abuse at OCO is oriented towards the Christian faith, incorporating Christian principles into the process of counseling. The degree program prepares you for addiction recovery work, and fulfils the Bachelor's degree requirement for level II certification, an additional credential offered through the Association for Addiction Professionals.
You learn strategies to help people work through their addiction, including one-on-one and group counseling. The course combines on-campus programs with home assignments. It is designed for adults and you take one class at a time with one on-site session per week. At the end of the course, you will know assess a person's health status, work with them and their families, and design individualized programs for them. The degree requires 54 credit-hours to complete.
Ohio Christian University
1476 Lancaster Pike
Circleville, Ohio 43113
877-762-8669
ohiochristian.edu
New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI)
The Addiction Counseling degree at NHTI is an Associate of Science degree with a major in Addiction Counseling. The degree course gives you the necessary field work and theory you can apply it to such areas as addiction counseling and human services. You take both general and specialized courses, such as Survey of Addictive Behaviors and Individual Counseling: Theory and Practice.
The course teaches interview techniques, what to do in the event of a crisis, and conflict resolution. You will also perform a practical work experience placement. After passing the degree, you can use it as the basis of a Bachelor's program and will be able to start your qualification as a New Hampshire Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
To take this course, you must first interview with a faculty member who assesses you for emotional and mental stability. You also undergo background and health checks. The two-year course requires 69 credits of general and specialized education.
New Hampshire Technical Institute
31 College Drive
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-7134
ccsnh.edu
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg College offers a Master's of Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that allows you to specialize in drug and addiction counseling. All students take nine units of core courses: Human Development; Research Methods and Applications; and Tests and Measurements. You then go on to add 42 hours of specialized counseling courses like Addictions Counseling and Group Counseling Procedures and Techniques, plus nine units of electives.
The total units is 60 hours, with an internship included to give you real-world experience. The course prepares you for entry-level job opportunities in the mental health field, including drug and alcohol treatment programs that may be offered as an alternative to prison. The course is intended to prepare you for licensure and also serves as the foundation of a doctorate, if desired.
Lynchburg College
1501 Lakeside Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501
434-544-8100
lynchburg.edu
Tags: Lynchburg College, Addiction Counseling, addiction counseling, Addiction Counseling degree, Christian University, degree program