Becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor in Idaho
Find Programs for Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Idaho
To understand the drug and alcohol abuse problem in the United States, you have to look at your specific state and its statistics.
In Idaho, many of the statistics are overwhelming. According to the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, 22% of Idaho high school students have had five or more drinks at one time at some point during the past 30 days (2016). 12% of adolescents report using inhalants recreationally and 8% report using pain relievers for non-medical reasons, a usage rate that is slightly higher than the national average (ICHA, 2016).
Changing the culture of drug and alcohol use in the United States requires a thorough understanding of addiction and effective interventions.
Find out how you can earn Idaho alcohol drug counselor certification by contacting counselor degree programs listed below.
Substance Abuse Counselor Training in Idaho
Some Idaho substance abuse counseling degrees are designed for undergraduate students. With a Bachelor’s degree, you may qualify for entry-level drug abuse counseling positions. These positions typically require supervision.
Completing a Bachelor’s degree takes an average of four years, since you must earn at least 120 credits prior to graduation.
Bachelor‘s-Level Substance Abuse Counseling Courses
- Foundations of Substance Abuse Disorders
- Co-occurring Disorders
- Psychopharmacology
- Group Interventions
- Community Resources for Addiction and Substance Use Disorders
- Relapse Prevention
- Family Dynamics in Substance Abuse Treatment
You learn many theories and techniques as an undergraduate student. Part of your accredited counseling degree is clinical practice, during which you work with patients in a limited scope of practice under the supervision of a licensed counselor.
Master’s in Substance Abuse Counseling—Idaho Requirements
The next level of certification requires a Master’s degree. To qualify for acceptance to a Master’s degree program, you need a Bachelor’s degree and a strong academic history.
Once you begin your training, you may graduate in two to three years after earning 30 or more credits. On top of the rigorous courses listed below, you may take several classes that are comprised of clinical work. The majority of Idaho counseling programs require over 500 hours of supervised experience.
Addiction Counselor Idaho Graduate Courses
- Addiction and the Family System
- Screening and Assessment of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Assessment and Case Management of Substance Abuse Disorders
- Assessing and Managing Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders
- Ethics for Addiction Professionals
Substance Abuse Counselor Careers in Idaho
Upon completion of a CADC program, Idaho graduates may start tackling the work experience requirements of licensure. The licensing process is regulated by the Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification.
- To become a CADC, you need a Bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling and 4000 hours of supervised work experience.
- To become an ACADC, you must have a Master’s degree and 2000 hours of supervised work experience.
Regardless of which setting you decide to work in with your certified substance abuse counselor degree, you may benefit from job growth in Idaho. From 2014 through 2024, job openings for substance abuse counselors may increase 25% (O*Net, 2016).
Currently, the average salary for an Idaho drug abuse counselor is $42,410 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Substance abuse social workers earn an average of $41,060 per year (BLS, 2016).
If you’re looking for a meaningful and fulfilling career, you may make an excellent certified addiction counselor. Those who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction need evidence-based help, not judgment. Not only does your work help individual patients, it improves public health in Idaho and minimizes overall healthcare spending.
Are you ready to tackle a career in the field of substance abuse counseling?
Get more information on Idaho substance abuse counseling degrees by reaching out to the programs listed below.
