You should have 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.

I. Many Counselors Unlicensed

Unfortunately, many alcohol counselors are not licensed. Some alcohol and drug programs have such counselors on their staff. Employing unlicensed alcohol counselors saves facilities money.  But that’s at the expense of their clients, who suffer.

Licensing of counselors occurs at the state level and 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. Therefore, alcohol counselors can easily obtain many initials behind their names.

II. Licences  and Credentials: Alcohol Counselor

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

LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor).

LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor).

CAC (Certified Addictions Counselor).

CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor).

CCDP (Certified Co-occurring Disorders Counselor).

LCADC (Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor).

LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor).

LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor).

NCAC (National Certified Addiction Counselor).

ICADC (Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor).

MAC (Master Addiction 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 the future to anyone who hasn’t bothered to become licensed?

Beware of any facility that creates its own self-licensing of its employees. This is a major red flag. Self-licensing is both meaningless and deceptive.

III. Resources for Alcohol Counselor Certifications

• How to Become a Certified Drug Counselor
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling: The differences between LADC and CADC certification and why the CADC is more important and useful
• The National Certification Commission (NCC), associated with the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
• International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC)

Disclaimer: This website is informational only. It makes no suggestions or recommendations about alcohol, drinking, rehabs, programs, or any other matter and none should be inferred. Neither this website nor your host receives any compensation, directly or indirectly, from listing or describing any program. Such listing or description does not imply endorsement. [+]

Filed Under: Alcoholism General Information