CERTIFIED DRUG & ALCOHOL COUNSELING

600 Clock Hours / 26 Semester Credit/units

  • * DOT 045.107-010 Case Manager/Counselor
  • DOT 045.107-038 Resident Counselors
  • DOT 045.107-050 Clinical Counselors

*(If all requirements are met set forth by: Department of Health Services of California)

This 600- hour program prepares the student for entry-level employment as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor in different recovery settings. Students receive instruction in the basics of addiction, the 12 Core functions of a counselor, basic counseling skill and methods, chemical dependency and the family, ethics and special treatment issues, advanced counseling skills and methods. Students will be required to participate in a 255-hour externship in an approved facility, and 45 hours of educational required classroom lecture covering TAP 21 Addiction Counseling Competencies, and the 12-Core Functions. Upon successful completion of this program the student will receive a certificate of completion, Transcript of completed courses. The graduate of the program qualifies to apply for National and State testing with CAADAC and any other agencies accepting the units.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor
600 clock hours / 26 credit units

DAC 101 ADDICTION BASICS & DRUG PHARMACOLOGY: 45 Clock Hours\2.5 Credit Units

This modular gives the student basic knowledge and skills to understand the various aspects of chemical addiction, its processes, signs, symptoms and addictive behavior will be explored. Student will learn the specifics of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other commonly abused substances and their addictive properties. Other drug dependencies along with co-dependency and multiple addictions will also be covered. Various approaches to substance abuse treatment, recovery, the role of spirituality and 12-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon and Gambles Anonymous will be covered.

DAC 102 THE COUNSELING CORE FUNCTIONS: 45 Clock Hours\ 3 Credit Units

This modular covers the 12 core functions of the counselor in addition the student will learn about the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Stoical Manual of Mental Disorders) classifications of substance abuse disorders, limits an parameters in identifying substance abuse disorders vs. other disorders, along with dual and multiple diagnoses.

DAC 103 BUILING BASIC COUNSELING SKILLS:45 Clock Hours\ 2.5 Credit Units

This modular gives the student basic knowledge and skills to understand the basic techniques on active listening, attentiveness, reflection, paraphrasing, and summarization. They will also cover the basics of group process, group dynamics, dealing with denial and resistance, defense mechanisms, and other specifically group-related approaches.

DAC 104 ETHICS, SPECIAL POPULATIONS & OTHER TREATMENT ISSUES: 45 Clock Hours\ 2.5 Credit Units

This modular will cover the role and dynamics of the family in chemical dependency counseling. Relevant issues will include: co-dependency, enabling and collusion, adult children of alcoholics, family-of-origin issues, prevention and treatment in adolescents, sex addiction, domestic violence, couples and multi-family counseling, guilt and shame in the recovery process.

DAC 105 COUNSELING FAMILIES:45 Clock Hours\ 2.5 Credit Units

This modular will cover the ethical guidelines that pertain to the substance abuse counseling field. Critical topics will include confidentiality laws, informed consent, client privileged, expectations to confidentiality, dual relationships, peer confrontation, and more. Student will cover special issues relevant to chemical dependency counseling such as HIV-AIDS awareness, gambling, sex addiction, multi-cultural awareness and sensitivity, counseling special populations, women’s issues, and fetal alcohol syndrome will be covered.

DAC 106 ADVANCED COUNSELING THEORIES & TECHNIQUES: 45 Clock Hours\ 2.5 Credit Units

This modular will cover the theories of personality development and how each method of therapy is created. Seriously depressed and/or suicidal client, counselor burnout vs. counselor resilience, the 12 phases of relapse particularly the work of renowned relapse preventions Terence T. Gorski will be studied. Issues related to counseling and the criminal justice system: therapeutic treatment communities and the continuum of car for the criminal justice offender. A systematic review for the written portion of the IC&RC written exam will be conducted.

DAC107 CAREER PREPARATION:30 Clock Hours\ 1.5 Credit Units

This portion of the program is designed to assist the student to complete in the current labor market. The course will cover resume writing, job search techniques, and interview techniques, application completion. Each student will create and format their resume, conduct a job search survey in their demographic area.

DAC108 PRACTICUM:45 Clock Hours\ 3 Credit Units

This portion of the program is designed to meet the requirement needed to complete the 300-practicum requirements as outlined by CAADAC. These 45 hours of educational requirements provide the student with the guidelines under the TAP-21 “The Knowledge, skills and Attitudes of Professional Practice” and the 12-Core Functions of a counselor to prepare the student for the environments and population they will work directly with.

DAC109 EXTERNSHIP:255 Clock Hours\ 6 Credit Units

During this modular the student will participate in supervised on-the-job training experiences this combined effort between the school and externship facility. Students are able to apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom to real life situations. Evaluations occur routinely to provide the student the opportunity to discover any apparent weakness while receiving support from the Instructor.

Program in review for CAADAC accreditation: (California Alcohol And Drug Addiction Counseling)

Requirements:

  • Certificate of Completing from an Approved Institution
  • Competition documentation or transcript must state the below:
    • 270 core classroom
    • 45 classroom practicum
    • 255 hour in the field experience
  • Membership of CAADAC
  • Application for Testing required