How to become an adolescent substance abuse counselor

How to become an Adolescent Substance Abuse Counselor

Becoming an adolescent substance abuse counselor involves several steps, including formal education, specialized training, and obtaining relevant certifications. Here's a general pathway to enter the field:

Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is generally the minimum requirement for entry-level positions (e.g., substance abuse counselor aide, case manager) in adolescent substance abuse counseling. Ideal fields of study, which provide a solid understanding of human behavior, addiction, mental health, and the basic principles of counseling, include:

• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Social Work

Gain Relevant Experience
Look for internships or volunteer opportunities in settings like schools, hospitals, treatment centers, or community organizations. Experience working with adolescents, even in non-counseling roles, will help you understand their specific challenges and needs.

Jobs such as teaching assistant, camp counselor, or support staff in rehabilitation centers can provide insight into working with teenagers, especially in the context of substance abuse.

Develop Soft Skills

• Empathy and Communication – To be effective, adolescent substance abuse counselors need strong communication skills, patience, empathy, and the ability to build trust with young clients who may be resistant or hesitant about seeking help.
• Crisis Management – Being able to handle crises calmly and competently is also an essential skill, as many adolescents with substance abuse issues may also struggle with emotional instability or trauma.

Master’s Degree
While a bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for some positions, many adolescent substance abuse counselors, especially those in higher-level counseling roles, hold a master’s degree in one of the disciplines referenced above in the Bachelor’s Degree section.

An alternative degree is a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. Students who choose this option should seek out programs that cover adapting family systems approaches to address the unique circumstances of families in which substance misuse and substance use disorders (SUDs) occur. These approaches require counselors to understand and manage complex family dynamics and communication patterns. They must also be familiar with the ways family systems organize themselves around the substance use behaviors of the person with an SUD.

Accreditation
At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, it’s important to attend a program accredited by a recognized body, such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), or the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Accreditation ensures that the program meets professional standards and prepares students for licensure.

Clinical Training
As part of their master’s program, aspiring adolescent substance abuse counselors will need to complete a supervised clinical internship or practicum comprised of a specific number of hours, typically 2,000 to 4,000 hours. Ideally, much of this clinical training should be focused on gaining experience working with young people struggling with substance abuse, particularly in settings like schools, outpatient clinics, substance abuse treatment centers, or juvenile detention facilities.

Licensure
Following their clinical training, counselors need to obtain licensure in the state or country where they intend to practise. In most cases, this entails passing a licensing exam such as the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Some jurisdictions may mandate that adolescent substance abuse counselors earn the National Certified Addiction Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) designation. The Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) credential may be another pathway to licensure.

Continuing Education
The field of substance abuse counseling is continually evolving, and counselors are encouraged to participate in continuing education and networking events to stay up to date with the latest research, treatment methods, best practices, and ethical guidelines. Many states and organizations require counselors to earn continuing education (CE) credits to maintain their licensure and support professional growth.

Certifications
There are several certifications available for adolescent substance abuse counselors that help demonstrate professional expertise. These credentials may be required or strongly preferred by employers:

• National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCCAC I) / National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level II (NCCAC II) / Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) – These three foundational credentials for addiction counselors are offered by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP). Respective minimum academic requirements at each level are a high school diploma, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree.
• International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Prevention, Substance Use Disorder, and Recovery Credentialing – The IC&RC, in association with jurisdictionally specific Member Boards, offers the following credentials: Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC), Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC), Clinical Supervisor (CS), Prevention Specialist (PS), Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP), Peer Recovery-Associate (PR-A), and Peer Recovery (PR). Requirements for each designation include a combination of education, supervised clinical hours, and passing an exam.
• National Certified Counselor (NCC) – Offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the NCC is a general certification for counselors who have earned an accredited Master’s Degree in Counseling or a related field, completed a certain number of supervised clinical hours, and passed the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
• Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) – Also offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), this certification is specifically for counselors who wish to demonstrate their expertise in clinical mental health counseling. Requirements include an accredited Master’s Degree in Counseling, a minimum number of supervised clinical hours, and passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
• Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) – Offered by the International Trauma Training Institute (ITTI), the CCTP signifies expertise in trauma recovery and can be beneficial for counselors who work with clients affected by abuse, violence, or other forms of trauma. Requirements include specialized training in trauma-informed care and trauma therapy, as well as a specified number of clinical hours working with trauma survivors and passing the CCTP exam.
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Certifications – This association represents marriage and family therapists, including those working in behavioral health counseling who focus on family systems and relationship dynamics. AAMFT offers three different MFT certification badges: Clinical Fellow Designation, Approved Supervisor Designation, Certificate of Leadership.
• Certified Family Recovery Specialist (CFRS) – This certification, offered by various organizations, is particularly relevant for counselors who specialize in family therapy and providing support for families of individuals dealing with substance abuse.
• National Certified Peer Specialist (NCPS) – This certification, offered by the National Certification Board for Behavioral Health Professionals, is an advanced credential focused on the knowledge and skills peer specialists need when supporting others to achieve and maintain recovery from a mental health condition or other behavioral health challenge. Requirements include training, certification courses, and personal experience in recovery.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations also support the substance abuse counseling community:

• Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) – SAHM is a multidisciplinary organization committed to the promotion of optimal physical, mental, and social health and wellbeing of all adolescents and young adults by supporting adolescent health and medicine professionals through the advancement of clinical practice, care delivery, research, advocacy, and professional development.
• American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) – ASAM is an organization focused on the medical aspects of addiction and evidence-based research, which can be valuable for counselors working with adolescents who have severe substance use disorders.
• American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) – While AAAP focuses primarily on addiction psychiatry, it provides resources for addiction professionals working with adolescents and children. The organization promotes best practices, research, and clinical education in addiction treatment.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – While not a professional organization per se, NIDA offers extensive research and training on substance abuse treatment. It can be a valuable resource for adolescent substance abuse counselors who wish to stay updated on the latest research and evidence-based practices.
• Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care (SSWLHC) – SSWLHC offers support and development for social workers in healthcare settings, including those working in facilities where substance abuse treatment is part of overall healthcare.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – SAMHSA is a key federal agency that offers research and treatment guidelines, evidence-based practices, grant opportunities, and resources for integrated mental health and substance use care.
• National Council for Mental Wellbeing (NCMW) – NCMW is an advocacy and training organization for mental health and addiction professionals. It supports those working with adolescents through education, policy development, and advocacy.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – NAMI offers mental health advocacy, support groups and public education, and research and policy updates. While focused on mental illness, it supports professionals working with substance abuse clients and offers insights on how mental illness and substance use intersect.
• American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) – AMHCA focuses specifically on supporting mental health counselors, offering continuing education and conferences and advocating for policies that support the mental health counseling field.
• American Counseling Association (ACA) – The ACA is a broad professional association for counselors, including those in the substance abuse space. It offers educational resources, ethical guidelines, and networking opportunities for professionals in various counseling fields. ACA has divisions focusing on specific areas, such as mental health counseling, addiction counseling, marriage and family therapy, and school counseling.
• American Psychological Association (APA) – APA provides access to research on psychological treatment for addiction and trauma.