Alcohol and Drug Counseling Fast-Track Diploma

The Alcohol and Drug Counseling Fast-Track Diploma from ICDC College is an online program that prepares you for employment as a Substance Abuse Counselor. Substance abuse is a chronic and widespread problem in our society that affects people of all ages and from all walks of life. It is estimated that one in eight Americans suffers from either alcohol or drug addiction*. People who struggle with substance abuse and other addictions often lose control of their jobs, relationships and their lives.

Drug and Alcohol Counselors can help people overcome their addictions, break negative patterns to avoid relapse, and improve their lives. The online Alcohol and Drug Counseling Fast-Track Diploma Program from ICDC College gives you the skills you need for assisting with addictive behaviors, addiction prevention, and case management. You will be trained in effective methods for individual and group substance abuse counseling.

The ICDC College program meets the California state, national, and international substance abuse counseling certification training requirements and specifically the registration requirements of the California Certification Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CCBADC). Additionally, ICDC College’s program has been approved by the California Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors’ (CAADAC) Educational Foundation CFAAP. This means that online students who are based in California will graduate from a program that is approved by one of the largest alcohol and drug abuse counseling certification organizations in the state. ICDC College is also an approved education provider approved through the NAADAC, the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. NAADAC is one of the largest membership organizations serving addiction counselors, educators, administrators, and other addiction-focused health care professionals, who specialize in addiction counseling, prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery support and education. NAADAC has 8,000 members and 43 state affiliates, with a network of addiction services professionals that spans the United States and the world.

Individual state requirements may vary. Any questions regarding the minimum requirements for the state where you choose to seek employment may be directed to ICDC College, and you are advised to consult state-specific agencies for further information.

Enroll for your online Alcohol and Drug Counseling Fast-Track Diploma today! You will be provided with the tools you need to succeed, including online coursework, textbooks and a new laptop computer** – all included in the cost of your tuition. Your next step is to log in and learn, at your convenience – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from any location.

*Source: http://www.coachinginternational.com/stats.html and SAMHSA (U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

** Included intuition. Provided to those students who are enrolled and in good academic standing after 30 business days in class including completion of financial aid (if necessary).

Career

Students who graduate from ICDC College’s online Alcohol and Drug Counseling Fast-Track Diploma program will be trained to provide guidance in crisis intervention, treatment planning, referral services, client and family counseling, and community education and outreach. Work environments may include detoxification programs, daytime drug treatment centers, inpatient and outpatient drug rehabilitation clinics, DUI diversion programs, probation and parole facilities, penal institutions, hospitals, and private facilities.

Career Services assistance is provided by ICDC College upon completion of the program.

Employment:

State employment requirements for Alcohol and Drug Counselors may differ. Any questions regarding the minimum requirements for the state where you choose to seek employment may be obtained from ICDC College, along with referrals to state-specific agencies for further information.

Graduates qualify for entry-level employment in the following types of positions

Substance Abuse Counselor: In this role you may work with adolescents, teens or adults, providing a range of services including moderating discussions in recovery groups and psycho-educational sessions, conducting classes in life skills and relapse prevention, and providing substance abuse counseling in individual and group settings. A substance abuse counselor typically provides direct care and supervision of all client-patients in structured activities and programs at a treatment facility.

Substance Abuse Technician: Under the supervision of a substance abuse counselor, program nurse or clinic coordinator, in this role you would provide assistance in monitoring and maintaining therapy activities for patient-clients and their families in a substance abuse program or treatment facility. A technician serves as a role model to client-patients and families in the recovery process, and assists the work of other professionals on the substance abuse treatment team.

Transitional Case Manager: In this role you would provide transitional case management services to active substance abusers to facilitate their access to substance abuse treatment programs and relapse-prevention services. Your duties might include transporting or meeting client-patients at service providers to provide support and advocacy. A case manager networks with community service providers to identify needs in the local population, then develops strategies for promoting programs to engage the target audience.

Residential Counselor: Residential Counselors typically work in day treatment centers with client-patient residents seeking long-term recovery from alcohol and substance abuse. In this role you would provide assistance in all substance abuse treatments and activities for the clients at the center. Duties might include advocating for clients, monitoring their medications and daily activity, ensuring compliance with facility rules, assisting with direct care and the development of an after-care plan, transporting clients as needed, and helping withupkeep of the facility.

Residential Detox Counselor: Working in a 24-hour facility that provides acute inpatient substance abuse services, in this role you would assist in providing around-the-clock care and observation for clients detoxing from drugs and alcohol addiction. Duties might include implementing treatment services and assisting with direct care, monitoring client-patients’ daily activities, educating clients, documenting activities, and ensuring compliance with facility rules.

Campuses

The Alcohol and Drug Counseling Diploma program is available at the following campuses:

Online
Main Campus
South Bay
Van Nuys

Academics

The Online Alcohol and Drug Counseling program at ICDC College is designed to introduce students to the eight domains of knowledge in the field of addiction:

Clinical Evaluation
Treatment Planning
Referral
Service Coordination
Counseling
Client, Family and Community Education
Documentation
Professional and Ethical Responsibility

The program teaches students how to perform the 12 core functions of substance abuse counseling:

Screening
Intake
Orientation
Assessment
Treatment planning
Counseling
Case management
Crisis intervention
Client education
Referrals
Reports and recordkeeping
Consultation with relevant professionals

Course highlights from the Alcohol and Drug Counseling program include:

Law and Ethics
Individual, Group, and Family Counseling
Case Management
Psychoactive Drugs and Pharmacology
Prevention, Education, Outreach, and Referral

In addition to their coursework, all ICDC College’s Alcohol and Drug Counseling students will participate in an “Externship” that involves field work at a substance abuse treatment facility in their area, completing 270 hours in 15 weeks. Through the externship, students will gain hands-on experience working in a clinical setting alongside industry professionals. The externship will also provide students the opportunity for networking with potential employers. Student “externs”; gain practical skills in screening, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client and family education, referral, reports, recordkeeping and consultation.

Disclosures

OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION:

The occupations this program prepares students to enter by name and SOC code:

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors # 21-1011.00; Social and Human Service Assistants # 21-1093.00; Rehabilitation Counselors # 21-105.00; Child, Family and School Social Workers 21-1021.00; Educational Guidance and School Vocational Counselors 21-1012.00; Counselors All Other 21-1019.00; Community Health Workers 21-1094.00; Mental Health Counselors 21-1014.00; Social and Community Service Managers 11-9151.00; Residential Advisors 39-9041.00; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 21-1023.00; Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers All Other 29-9099.00; Health Educators 21-1091.00

LINKS:

The links to the occupational profiles on the Department of Labor’s O*Net are:

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1011.00

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1058.00

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1021.00

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1012.00

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1019.00

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1094.00

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1014.00

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/11-9151.00

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-9041.00

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1023.00