A Master’s degree or higher substance use disorder counselor providing primary, direct, clinical, substance use disorder or co-occurring counseling to persons whose primary diagnosis is that of substance use disorder or providing supervision of said counseling. They have primary responsibility for providing substance use disorder counseling in an individual and/or group setting, preparing treatment plans, documenting client progress and is clinically supervised. This is an international, reciprocal credential.
Domains:
1. Screening, Assessment, and Engagement
2. Treatment Planning, Collaboration, and Referral
3. Counseling and Education
4. Professionalism and Ethical Responsibilities
For more in depth information on the requirements please review the downloadable application above.
Formal Education: Minimum master's degree in a relevant field from a regionally accredited college or university with the United States or colleges and universities outside of the United States.
Clinical Work Experience: One (1) year of full-time or 2000 hours of part-time work experience specific to the AADC domains.
Current Job Description: Copy of current counselor job description, which must be signed by both the applicant and their immediate clinical supervisor.
On-The-Job Clinical Supervision: 100 hours of on-the-job supervision of qualifying work experience with a minimum of 10 hours of clinical supervision in the specific AADC domains.
Education/Training: 180 hours of education/training specific to the AADC domains, to include 6 of those hours in substance use disorder ethics. College courses may be used to meet the education requirement, as long as the course covers one or more of the specific AADC domains. The DCB may require a syllabus from the course, if it is not easily recognizable which domain the course covered.
Examination: Once application is approved, applicant must pass the IC&RC Examination for Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (AADC examination).