Always insist on having a licensed alcohol counselor.

You wouldn’t seek medical help from an unlicensed doctor. Why use an unlicensed alcohol counselor? Make sure to have a licensed alcohol counselor. Too much is at stake to do otherwise.

Overview

I.   Licensed Alcohol Counselor

II. Licenses and Credentials

III. Resources

I. Licensed Alcohol Counselor

Sadly, many alcohol counselors are not licensed. Some alcohol and drug programs actually employ unlicensed counselors. Employing unlicensed alcohol counselors saves money. But that’s at the expense of their clients, who suffer.

Counselor licensing is done by the states. So requirements vary. But they typically require a minimum educational level, supervised clinical experience, and successful completion of a licensing exam. Some states require periodic continuing education in counseling. The objective of these standards is to protect the public. That’s all of us.

National credentialing also exists. Often, the same exacts tests are used at both state ands national levels. So alcohol counselors can easily obtain many initials behind their names.

II. Licenses and Credentials

There is a great variety of licenses and credentials for alcohol counselors.

CAC (Certified Addictions Counselor).

CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor).

CCDS (Certified Co-occurring Disorders Specialist).

ICADC (International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor).

LCADC (Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor).

LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor).

LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor).

LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor).

MAC (Master Addiction Counselor).

NAADAC (National Certified Addictified  Counselor).

The requirements for these and many more certifications and licensures are very appropriate and reasonable. There is simply no reason to accept anything other than a licensed alcohol counselor.

Why entrust your future to anyone who hasn’t bothered to become licensed? Or worse, to one who isn’t competent enough to become licensed.

Don’t take a chance!

III. Resources: Licensed Alcohol Counselor

Websites

National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals.

How to Become a Certified Drug Counselor.

Readings

Craig, R. Counseling Alcohol Dependent Client. Boston: Pearson.

Leong, F. Book of Counseling. Los Angeles: SAGE.

White, T. Working With Drug and Alcohol Users. London: Kingsley.