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!

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.

Add = Addiction. Al = Alcohol. Cert = Certified. Clin = Clinical. Coun = Counselor. Lice = Licensed. Pro = Professional.

CAC (Cert Add Coun).

CADC (Cert Al and Drug Coun).

CCDS (Cert Co-occurring Disorders Specialist).

ICADC (Internat Cert Al and Drug Coun)

LCADC (Lice Clin Al and Drug Coun).

LCPC (Lice Clin Pro Coun).

LMHC (Lice Mental Health Coun).

LPC (Lice Pro Coun).

MAC (Master Add Coun).

NAADAC (Nat Cert Add  Coun). [This site links.]

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

Web

• • How to Become a Cert Drug Coun.

Readings

• • Craig, R. Coun Alco Dependent Client.
  • Leong, F. Book of Coun.
  • The Importance of Working with a Lic Coun.
  • White, T. Working With Drug and Alco Users.
  • Who are Lic Pro Coun?