Drug & Alcohol Counselor

Turning Hope Into Healing

Hours: 720 Hours
Duration: 12 months
Level: Beginner
Average Completion: 6 Months
Language: English
Occupation: Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Enrolled: 33 Students

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Drug & Alcohol Counselor

A Drug & Alcohol Counselor is a mental health professional who specializes in helping individuals and families suffering from substance use disorders. They provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention services to help clients with addiction, abuse, and dependence. Counselors may work in a variety of settings, including rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, inpatient hospitals, mental health facilities, and correctional facilities. They may use cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and other counseling techniques to help their clients. Drug & Alcohol Counselors also provide education, advocacy, and support to family members and loved ones of those struggling with addiction.

12 months of Full Access
$48,520.00
9% Predicted 10-Years Job Growth

Is This the Right Career for You?

Yes, becoming a Drug & Alcohol Counselor could be a rewarding career choice. This profession requires a great deal of compassion, understanding, and communication skills. Drug and alcohol counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to provide therapeutic interventions, education, and support in order to help people struggling with substance use disorders. Counselors typically have a master's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field, and they must also complete the necessary state certification or licensing requirements. In addition, counselors must have a strong knowledge of the various aspects of substance use and abuse, as well as the treatment options available. If you have the required qualifications and are passionate about helping people, then a career as a Drug & Alcohol Counselor could be a great fit for you.

1. Start today

Begin your transformation and learning journey right away.

2. Learn your way

Achieve your training at your own pace, according to your own schedule.

3. Get hired today

Complete industry-recognized certification and develop your employment strategy to begin your dream job.

6 Reasons to Complete Your Drug & Alcohol Counselor Training With Us

Flexibility

With our programs, you can learn and study at your own pace with access 24/7/365 for the duration of your program. This means you can learn on your own terms and work around your own schedule.

Support

Our online training comes with access to real, live support personnel that will help you through every step from our admissions adviser who will assist you with selecting the right training for you, to our student adviser who will be there with you during your entire training journey.

Relevancy

We have tailored our programs to provide comprehensive training in the technical and soft skills employers are looking for. With direct input and feedback from industry leaders and hiring managers, our program aligns with exactly what you need to successfully enter the workforce.

Certification

Our career training not only gives you the knowledge you need but preparation for the certification exams relevant to your desired career path. If you are pursuing an exciting new career in a field with a national certification, our program will both prepare you to sit for the exam but will often include a voucher for the exam cost.

Simulations and Case Studies

Our training programs have been developed with real learners and professionals in mind, so our programs incorporate real-world case studies and virtual simulations that will provide examples and interactions with real-life situations you may encounter during your career. These allow you to learn by experience with circumstances similar to what will be your daily responsibilities on the job.

Engaging and Interactive

Our training curriculum was developed with you in mind, looking at modern day learners and their needs. Our curriculum contains a mix of formats including reading, listening, watching, and interacting that will immerse you into a fun and engaging learning experience you will not only enjoy but not want to end.

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Program Description

This interactive drug and alcohol counselor training program is made for anyone who wants to become a professional drug and alcohol counselor. However, you can also opt for this course if you only want to enhance your skills as a counselor. Thus, you can make a career for yourself in this field and bring positive change in people’s lives.
Because this program includes a lot of technical material, there are various assessment materials you can use to help review your knowledge during the training program.
The program will begin with an introduction to psychology. Thus, you’ll learn about:
• basic theories
• basic concepts
• research methods
• human development
• motivations for human thoughts
• feelings
• human behavior
• the role of gender, sexuality, genetics, and heredity on human behavior
Level 1 Drug and Alcohol Counseling is one course in this program. In this course, you’ll learn:
• how addictive disorders are understood, identified, and treated
• what strategies you must use to work with clients
• the difference between an abuser and addict
Level 2 Drug and Alcohol Counseling is another course in this program. In this course, you’ll learn:
• how to use available treatments such as motivational enhancement, skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy, 12-step facilitation, and medication
This program aims to provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to become a valuable professional in the industry.

The intended audience for this program is individuals that are seeking to enhance their skills or find employment as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor.

After completing this course, you should be able to:
• Define methods for detecting and determining addiction type
• Identify methods for understanding addiction and avoiding triggers
• Define the different treatment approaches
• Identify techniques for overcoming addiction and solving the problems it has caused
• Identify methods for counseling and treatment
• Identify steps for initial assessment and treatment planning
• Comprehend various therapies and treatment groups available to the individual
• Identify the steps involved in the AA 12 step program
• Identify dual diagnoses and family treatment programs
• Define clinical staff and characteristics of a good counselor
• Explain the anatomical structures and physiological functions related to psychology
• Examine sensation, perception, heredity, and genetics
• Analyze consciousness, sleep, sleep disorders, and hypnosis as they relate to psychology
• Analyze the underlying principles and basis of the psychology behind learning, memory, and experience
• Explain cognitive abilities and intelligence from a psychological perspective
• Examine the different phases and stages in human development
• Examine the different motivation theories and the psychological basis of emotions
• Explain sexuality and gender in relation to psychology
• Examine psychoanalytic approaches and humanistic theories to explain behaviors and traits in personalities
• Evaluate health psychology and approaches to health management
• Investigate the different mental disorders as they relate to psychology
• Analyze psychotherapy, the different methods, and their effectiveness
• Investigate the importance of thoughts, trends in social behavior, and impact of social influences
This course provides students with qualified support professionals to guide them through their learning experience. The student support team is available to answer any questions a learner may have including questions on course content, course material, certifications, and registration or enrollment questions. Support advisers also monitor the progress of learners to ensure training retention and program advancement.
Though you are provided a full 12 months access to your program, the average completion time is only 6 months!

Drug & Alcohol Counselor FAQs

To request more information, you can contact us via online chat, our website contact form, or toll free at 1-855-201-6910.

Online courses are accessible 24/7/365 and self-paced, allowing you to progress at your own pace on your own schedule. They can be taken from anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. Classroom courses have a set schedule of the days and times the courses will be held, and you must attend during those specific times.

Find out if online learning is right for you by contacting our team of registration advisers. Our team is available to answer any of your questions about taking an online course before you commit to enrolling. We will walk you through what to expect to ensure you are making the right decision. You can contact a registration adviser today via online chat, our website contact form, or toll free at 1-855-201-6910.

No, you are not required to have a diploma or higher education degree to enroll in an online course. However, some occupations may require minimum educational thresholds for employment or certification. For more information on your desired career requirements, please contact us via online chat, our website contact form, or toll free at 1-855-201-6910.

To take an online course, you will need to have access to an internet connection and an internet ready device such as a laptop, PC, or tablet. For course specific requirements, please visit the course page or contact a registration adviser today.

Our courses are developed with multiple formats including text, audio, video, and interactivity. Our courses also include multiple resources and tools which can include flashcards, games, activities, and more.

No, you can take the online courses from anywhere in the world.

We participate in several financial assistance options including third party funding, both military and non-military. To request more information on the financial assistance options available and check your eligibility, contact us via online chat, our website contact form, or toll free at 1-855-201-6910.

Duration is the amount of time you will receive access to your course. Durations vary by course and range between 1 month and 12 months. If you complete your course before your duration ends you will continue to have access to your course until the duration period ends.

Many of our career training programs include certification vouchers. This means that at the successful completion of your course, at no additional charge, you will receive an exam voucher for the corresponding industry certification. This voucher will allow you to register and sit for the appropriate certification exam to obtain your industry credential.

Our online courses are open enrollment, so you can start immediately. If you are using any third-party funding to cover your course tuition, your start date may be a future date determined by your funding program.

Once enrolled, you will be assigned a client adviser who will provide you with customer and technical support. Your client adviser will supply you with your course access information, any needed materials, and be available to answer any questions you have during your training experience. They will regularly check-in with you to monitor your progress and assist you with staying on track. You will also be assigned to a course mentor who will provide curriculum support throughout your training. Your mentor is available to answer any questions you have on your course curriculum, will monitor your progress and understanding of the curriculum, and may give assignments or quizzes.

If you experience any trouble accessing your course including technical issues or lost login credentials, please contact your client adviser at helpdesk@worldeducation.net.

Our goal for students is to successfully complete their training course and achieve their career goals. We understand that extenuating circumstances can interfere with your ability to complete your course in the duration given. Because of this we have free or low-cost extensions available for our courses upon request. To discuss or request an extension please contact your client adviser at helpdesk@worldeducation.net.

Upon successful completion of your course and fulfillment of any outstanding financial obligations, you will receive your certificate of completion. Certificates are provided to you within 30 days of completion. Your certificate will validate the training course you completed with a stamp of completion.

Students that successfully complete our career training programs are assigned a career development adviser who will coordinate placement at a local externship or hands on opportunity. These opportunities are optional and may vary based on availability and occupation. Your career development adviser will also provide job search services such as: resume building, mock interviews, job opportunity resources, and more. Our professional enrichment courses do not come with a career adviser or career services.


Drug and Alcohol Counseling - Level 1 Module 1
Basics of Abuse and Addiction
• About Substance Abuse
• The Cost of Chemical Abuse/Addiction
• Definitions of Terms Used
• The Growth of New "Addictions"
• A Basic Misconception
• Effects & Side Effects of Chemicals
• Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
• Barbiturates & Barbiturate-Like Compounds
• Pharmacology of Barbiturates
• Neuroadaptation, Tolerance & Physical Dependence

Drug and Alcohol Counseling - Level 1 Module 2
Commonly Abused Chemicals 1
• Medical Uses of the Benzodiazepines
• Central Nervous System Stimulants
• CNS Stimulant Abuse
• Cocaine Abuse & Dependence
• History of Cocaine
• Complications of Cocaine Abuse/Addiction
• Marijuana Abuse & Addiction
• A Medico-Legal Conundrum
• Methods of Marijuana Abuse
• Opiates as Drugs of Abuse

Drug and Alcohol Counseling - Level 1 Module 3
Commonly Abused Chemicals 2
• Abuse of & Addiction to Hallucinogens
• Methods of Hallucinogen Abuse
• The Pharmacology of LSD
• ECSTASY (MDMA)
• Salvia Divinorum
• Abuse of & Addiction to Inhalants
• Scope of the Problem of Inhalant and Steroid Abuse
• Sources & Methods of Steroid Abuse
• Chemicals & the Neonate
• Scope of the Problem for Pregnant Women

Drug and Alcohol Counseling - Level 1 Module 4
The Many Faces of Substance Abuse
• Gender & Addiction
• Differing Effects of Common Drugs on Women
• The Faces of Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
• Rehabilitation for Children or Adolescents
• SUD & College Students
• Consequences of SUD in the College Population
• Codependency & Enabling
• Addiction and the Family
• Interventions
• Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA)

Drug and Alcohol Counseling - Level 1 Module 5
Understanding Substance Abuse Disorders
• The Dual-Diagnosis Client
• A Diagnostic Challenge
• Psychopathology & Drug of Choice
• Applications of the Medical Model of Addictions
• The Psychosocial Models of SUD
• A Disease of the Human Spirit
• The Mind-Body Question
• The Games of Addiction
• A Definition of Intervention
• Common Forms of Intervention

Drug and Alcohol Counseling- Level 1 Module 6
The Treatment of Addiction
• Treatment Settings
• Outpatient Treatment
• Residential Treatment Programs
• The Process and Methods of Treatment
• Pharmacological Interventions
• Pharmacotherapy of SUDs
• Lapse & Relapse
• Cravings & Urges
• Toxicology Tests
• Psycho-Educational Interventions

Drug and Alcohol Counseling - Level 1 Module 7
Other Issues in Chemical Dependence
• Elements of AA
• AA & Outside Organizations
• Other Types of Support Groups
• Challenges with 12-Step Programs
• SUD & Infectious Disease
• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Pneumonias & Tuberculosis
• Viral Hepatitis
• Drug Use & Violence
• The "War" on Drugs

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 1
Counseling: The Initial Hours
• How Treatment Works
• The Motivational Interview
• Natural History of Addiction
• How to Assess Motivation
• First Hours of Treatment
• How to Greet Clients
• Beginning the Therapeutic Alliance
• Dealing with Early Denial
• How Clients React to Detoxification
• Diagnosis: Substance Use Disorder

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 2
Biopsychosocial Interview and Treatment Plan
• How to Conduct the Interview
• Summary and Impression
• Disposition and Treatment Plan
• How to Build a Treatment Plan
• How to Develop Objectives
• How to Develop Interventions
• How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Treatment
• How to Select Goals, Objectives, and Interventions
• Treatment Plan Review
• How to Write Progress Notes

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 3
Individual Treatment and Group Therapy
• The Therapeutic Alliance
• How to Be Reinforcing
• Behavior Therapy
• Cognitive Therapy
• Interpersonal Therapy
• Benefits of a Group Process
• The Agenda Group
• The Relapse Prevention Group
• The Spirituality Group
• The Childhood Group

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 4
Drugs of Abuse and Recovery Skills
• Central Nervous System Depressants
• Alcohol
• Opioids
• Hallucinogens
• Synthetic Designer Drugs
• Cannabis
• Nicotine
• The Chemical Use History
• Love, Trust, and Commitment
• Addictive Relationships
• Self-Discipline
• Stress Management

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 5
12 Step Program and Lectures
• The Committee
• How to Help Clients Accept a Higher Power
• The Disease Concept
• Defense Mechanisms
• The Great Lie
• Normal Development
• Physical Addiction and Recovery
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Meetings

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 6
Special Problems and Adolescent Treatment
• The Psychiatric/Psychological Assessment
• The Depressed Client
• The Angry Client
• Personalities
• The Borderline Client
• The Narcissistic Client
• The Anxious Client
• Puberty
• Group Therapy
• Peer Pressure

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 7
The Family Program and The Clinical Staff
• The First Family Contact
• Common Family Problems
• How to Treat Family Members
• Psychologist/Psychiatrist
• Social Workers
• Nurses
• Staff-Client Problems
• Clinical Staffing

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 8
Continuing Care and Good Counselors
• Outpatient Discharge Criteria
• Inpatient Discharge Criteria
• How to Develop a Discharge Summary
• The Discharge Summary
• Aspects of Good Counseling

Psychology
• The Field of Psychology
• Biological Basis of Behavior, Sensation, and Perception
• Consciousness
• Learning with Change, Experience, and Memory
• Cognition and Intelligence
• Human Development
• Motivation and Emotion
• Sexuality and Gender
• Personality and Behavioral Patterns
• Health, Stress, and Its Management
• Mental Disorders: Causes, Nature, and Treatment
• Social Thought and Behavior

All required reference materials are provided with this program. Technical requirements:

Internet Connection
• Broadband or High-Speed (DSL, Cable, Wireless)
Hardware Requirements
• Processor - 2GHz Processor or Higher
• Memory - 1 GB RAM Minimum Recommended

Software Requirements
• Operating Systems - Windows 7, 8 or 10; Mac OS x 10 or higher
• Microsoft Office 2007, 2010 or 2013 or a Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)
• Internet Browsers - Google Chrome is highly recommended
• Cookies MUST be enabled
• Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled)
• Adobe PDF Reader

Certification

Upon successful completion of our Drug and Alcohol Counseling Level 1 and Level 2 courses, students may be prepared, in part, to sit for licensing and credentialing exams. Each state has its own regulations, and each state may have additional licensing requirements, so be sure to research your states requirements for employment by visiting your states occupation board.

Status

Prepares for Exam

Description

Certification

Exam

Drug and Alcohol Counselor Certification

Benefits

The benefit of becoming a certified Drug & Alcohol Counselor is that it opens up many opportunities for career advancement. It also shows that you have taken the time to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to help individuals struggling with addiction. Certification also gives employers confidence in your ability to provide quality care to those suffering from substance abuse. Additionally, certification can provide you with additional resources and access to specialized training in the field of substance abuse counseling.


Features

• 100% Online, Self-Paced
• Open Enrollment
• Admissions and Student Support
• Multimedia Rich and Interactive Content
• Industry Certification Exam, when applicable
• Hands-on Opportunity Upon Completion