2011 becoming an addictions counselor in california

20112011

Becoming an Becoming an Addictions Addictions

Counselor in Counselor in CaliforniaCalifornia

The ProcessThe Process

Under control of the California Under control of the California State Department of Alcohol & State Department of Alcohol & Drug Programs, commonly known Drug Programs, commonly known as ADPas ADP

ADPADP

Under current regulations, there Under current regulations, there are are nono requirements to be hired requirements to be hired as a counselor. However…..as a counselor. However…..

ADPADP

Once hired as a counselor you Once hired as a counselor you must become a fully certified must become a fully certified counselor within 5 yearscounselor within 5 years

ADPADP

ADP does not certify counselors. ADP does not certify counselors. It oversees certifications issued It oversees certifications issued by ten approved, private certifying by ten approved, private certifying bodiesbodies

ADPADPAlphabetically below:Alphabetically below: American Academy of Health Care Providers in American Academy of Health Care Providers in

the Addictive Disorders (AAHCPAD)the Addictive Disorders (AAHCPAD) Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug

CounselorsCounselors Board for Certification of Addiction SpecialistsBoard for Certification of Addiction Specialists

Affiliated with the California Association of Addiction Affiliated with the California Association of Addiction Recovery Resources (CAARR)Recovery Resources (CAARR)

Breining InstituteBreining Institute California Association for Alcohol and Drug California Association for Alcohol and Drug

Educators (CAADE)Educators (CAADE)

ADPADP

California Association of Drinking Driver Treatment California Association of Drinking Driver Treatment Programs (CADDTP)Programs (CADDTP)

California Certification Board of Alcohol and Drug California Certification Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors Counselors Affiliated with the California Association of Affiliated with the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC)Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC)

California Certification Board of Chemical Dependency California Certification Board of Chemical Dependency Counselors (CCBCDC)Counselors (CCBCDC)

Center for Criminality Addictions Research, Training, and Center for Criminality Addictions Research, Training, and ApplicationApplication Affiliated with Forensic Addictions Corrections Treatment Affiliated with Forensic Addictions Corrections Treatment (FACT)(FACT)

Indian Alcoholism Commission of California, Inc.Indian Alcoholism Commission of California, Inc.

ADPADP

Once you start working, you must register Once you start working, you must register with one of the ten approved certifying with one of the ten approved certifying bodiesbodies

Normally you would register with the Normally you would register with the organization you plan on using for organization you plan on using for certificationcertification

Once registered you should use your Once registered you should use your registration number on all public displays registration number on all public displays of yourself as a counselor (business cards, of yourself as a counselor (business cards, websites, etc.) cont.websites, etc.) cont.

After Registering, cont.After Registering, cont.

You must have a clinical supervisor at all You must have a clinical supervisor at all times.times.

Once registered the five year clock starts Once registered the five year clock starts ticking, and during this time you must ticking, and during this time you must start/finish school, take an approved test start/finish school, take an approved test from a certifying body, and complete at from a certifying body, and complete at least 2080 hours of work experience. least 2080 hours of work experience.

(some certifying bodies may require more)(some certifying bodies may require more)

Which Certification?Which Certification?

Each Certifying Organization sets its own Each Certifying Organization sets its own requirements requirements

The certification you choose may depend The certification you choose may depend on the school you choose; choose on the school you choose; choose carefully!carefully!

The only classes accepted by all certifying The only classes accepted by all certifying bodies are the ones offered by accredited bodies are the ones offered by accredited community colleges and universities. community colleges and universities.

These classes are addiction specific and These classes are addiction specific and have transferable unitshave transferable units


Certifications are divided by Certifications are divided by high, medium, and low high, medium, and low requirementsrequirements


The highest level certification in California The highest level certification in California is offered by the California Association for is offered by the California Association for Alcohol/Drug EducatorsAlcohol/Drug Educators

Commonly known as CAADECommonly known as CAADE Accredits about 40 community colleges Accredits about 40 community colleges

and Universities in California, Nevada and and Universities in California, Nevada and ArizonaArizona

CAADE certificationCAADE certification

By far the highest level certification at 36 By far the highest level certification at 36 units (550 classroom hours)units (550 classroom hours)

Has transferable units that allow you to Has transferable units that allow you to continue/go back to school and get a continue/go back to school and get a degreedegree

With financial aid, usually the cheapest With financial aid, usually the cheapest way to become certified.way to become certified.

Credential: CATC (Certified Addiction Credential: CATC (Certified Addiction Treatment CounselorTreatment Counselor

Medium CertificationsMedium Certifications 21 units (315 classroom hours)21 units (315 classroom hours) Most well-known is CAADAC (credential: Most well-known is CAADAC (credential:

CADC II)CADC II)Others include:Others include:

American Academy of Health Care Providers in American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders (credential: CAS-CA)the Addictive Disorders (credential: CAS-CA)

California Association of Addiction Recovery California Association of Addiction Recovery Resources (CAARR) (Credential: CAS)Resources (CAARR) (Credential: CAS)

Indian Alcoholism Commission of California, Inc. (IACC) Indian Alcoholism Commission of California, Inc. (IACC) (credential: CSAC)(credential: CSAC)

Center for Criminality Addictions Research, Training, and Center for Criminality Addictions Research, Training, and Application ;Affiliated with Forensic Addictions Application ;Affiliated with Forensic Addictions Corrections Treatment (FACT) (out of business: 2012)Corrections Treatment (FACT) (out of business: 2012)

California Association of Drinking Driver Treatment California Association of Drinking Driver Treatment Programs, CADDTP (CAODC)Programs, CADDTP (CAODC)

Lowest CertificationsLowest Certifications

155 hours of education (10.3 units)155 hours of education (10.3 units) Breining Institute (credential: RAS)Breining Institute (credential: RAS) Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug

Counselors (credential: CDAAC)Counselors (credential: CDAAC) California Certification Board of Chemical California Certification Board of Chemical

Dependency Counselors (CCBCDC) Dependency Counselors (CCBCDC) (credential: CCDC)(credential: CCDC)

All Certifications RequireAll Certifications Require

Fieldwork experience while enrolled in Fieldwork experience while enrolled in schoolschool

A signed code of ethics / scope of practiceA signed code of ethics / scope of practice Written examWritten exam 40 hours of continuing education every two 40 hours of continuing education every two

yearsyears

What about all these rumors?What about all these rumors?

Silly, ugly, incorrect messages going Silly, ugly, incorrect messages going aroundaround

What you have just seen is based on the What you have just seen is based on the current regulations, which will be in effect current regulations, which will be in effect for the foreseeable futurefor the foreseeable future

Trust expert opinion onlyTrust expert opinion only

What about some new laws?What about some new laws?

Many attempts at changing the current Many attempts at changing the current law; none have succeededlaw; none have succeeded

Even if a new law is passed it would not go Even if a new law is passed it would not go into effect for yearsinto effect for years

Requirements will only go up; safest thing Requirements will only go up; safest thing to do is stay in schoolto do is stay in school

What What MightMight Happen? Happen?

ADP ADP mightmight take over certification take over certificationADP ADP mightmight issue the credentials, issue the credentials,

but keep using the certifying bodies but keep using the certifying bodies to assess readiness and/or do the to assess readiness and/or do the examsexams

Licensure is likely, but will require a Licensure is likely, but will require a Master’s DegreeMaster’s Degree

What What MightMight Happen? Happen?

Requirements will only go upRequirements will only go up National trend is for Federal government to require states to require National trend is for Federal government to require states to require

degreesdegrees Requirements will only go upRequirements will only go up

What is CAADE fighting for?What is CAADE fighting for?

Higher standards, Higher standards, Higher standards, Higher standards, Higher standardsHigher standards

Better salaries for addiction counselorsBetter salaries for addiction counselors Tiered system of certification that rewards Tiered system of certification that rewards

people who stay in schoolpeople who stay in school

What is CAADE fighting for?What is CAADE fighting for?

Requirements such as full certification for Requirements such as full certification for intervention and prevention counselorsintervention and prevention counselors

High standards for the Licensure levelHigh standards for the Licensure level Accreditation for all AOD schoolingAccreditation for all AOD schooling Elimination of criminal background exclusionsElimination of criminal background exclusions Grandparenting Grandparenting

BTWBTW

As a counselor, you are legally and ethically As a counselor, you are legally and ethically required to report ethics violationsrequired to report ethics violations

You must report to ADP; reporting to the You must report to ADP; reporting to the certifying body is optionalcertifying body is optional

You can report anonymously, or ask that your You can report anonymously, or ask that your name be withheldname be withheld

Failure to do so can result in sanctions for you!Failure to do so can result in sanctions for you! (877) 685-8333 (toll free complaint number)(877) 685-8333 (toll free complaint number)

The Addictions CounselorThe Addictions Counselor of the Future of the Future

Will be less likely be a recovering Will be less likely be a recovering addictaddict


Will have more educationWill have more educationNational trend: degreesNational trend: degrees


Will be much better trained in Will be much better trained in Mental HealthMental Health


Will be well versed in evidence-Will be well versed in evidence-based practicesbased practices


Will be familiar with both 12step Will be familiar with both 12step and non-12stepand non-12step


Will specialize:Will specialize:Special populationsSpecial populationsCriminal JusticeCriminal JusticeWomenWomenAdolescentsAdolescentsCODsCODs


Will work comfortably with multi-Will work comfortably with multi-disciplinary staffdisciplinary staff


Will be comfortable with MATWill be comfortable with MAT


Will be familiar with pain Will be familiar with pain management tools, e.g. management tools, e.g. SuboxoneSuboxone


Will have better continuing Will have better continuing educationeducation


Will meet a higher standard of Will meet a higher standard of carecare


Will meet a higher standard of Will meet a higher standard of ethicsethics

….Substance abuse treatment professionals have the highest rate of

ethical violations among all other human service

professionals.

Certified Addiction Counselors had a 12.4% higher rate of ethical violations

compared to Licensed Social Workers, a 17.1% higher rate than Licensed Psychologists, an 18.8%

higher rate than Licensed Professional Counselors, and a 26.3% higher rate than Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.

From: “Ethical Violations: A Quantitative Study Comparing Human Service Professions”

John Gallagher, MSW, LAODAC, 2008

2011 becoming an addictions counselor in california

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