Pursue a Career as an Addiction Counselor with Online Classes
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Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes provides comprehensive guidance on becoming an addiction counselor, highlighting the increasing demand for professionals in the field due to a rise in addiction issues. She emphasizes that the challenges faced in jail or prison settings are environmental rather than individual. Educational requirements for addiction counselors vary by state, with some allowing a high school diploma, while independent practice typically requires a bachelor's degree and specific training. Training hours for certification can range from 75 to 360 hours and can be completed in a few weeks with full-time study, followed by supervised clinical hours in a treatment center. Certification nomenclature differs by state, with NAADAC and IC&RC being the two main certifying bodies, the latter offering reciprocity between member states. Dr. Snipes recommends using resources like allceus.com to check state-specific certifications and advises searching for state addiction counseling boards online. Entry-level positions such as technician or recovery support specialist can help gain the required hours for certification, which often includes 3000 hours of client contact. In some states, volunteer work can count towards these hours, while others may require paid employment. Florida, for example, offers various certification levels based on education, and certified recovery specialists can bill insurance. After completing education and hours, candidates apply to take the certification exam, and some states may require a jurisprudence exam and letters of recommendation. Continuing education is necessary to maintain certification, with affordable options available through AllCEUs.com. In Canada, recovery coaching doesn't require state certification, but to be certified, specific education and experience hours are needed, with only three trainers approved for precertification training. It's important to verify if training is accepted by your state before enrolling, as requirements vary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an 18% annual growth in counseling jobs, with a median salary of around $50,000 for those with a bachelor's or master's degree. Dr. Snipes concludes by encouraging individuals to reach out with further questions and to use Google to find state-specific addiction certification boards.
Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes provides comprehensive guidance on becoming an addiction counselor, highlighti