Addictions Studies
Certificate
Curriculum code 1321
Course Requirements                   Public Service Web Site

The use of alcohol and other drugs continues to be a social problem touching all elements of society: loss of work proficiency, functional relationships, appropriate parenting and—ultimately—human life. Moraine Valley Community College's Addictions Studies Program recognizes that the treatment of addictions must be comprehensive—treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.

You will be taught by professionals with years of experience in alcoholism and other addictions counseling. The program includes an internship that will allow you to gain valuable on-the-job experience and apply what you have learned in your courses.

You may be eligible to earn college credits for prior learning or work experience. Contact Moraine Valley's Alternative Learning office at (708) 974-5710 for details.

Professional Certification—Moraine Valley’s Addictions Studies Certificate Program is accredited by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Counseling Association (IAODAPCA) and meets the educational and supervisory requirements necessary for state certification. For more information on certification, contact the program coordinator or IAODAPCA at www.iaodapca.org.

Nature of Work—The primary goal of this program is to give you an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue and become a Certified Addictions Counselor (CADC) in Illinois through the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA) and related certification entities. An addictions counselor's professional training and levels of clinical experience vary. Addictions counselors with less training will not directly treat patients or clients, but function as part of a team by providing assistance to licensed, professional mental health practitioners.

Related Job Titles—Alcoholism counselor, addictions counselor, assistant intake worker, human services worker, caseworker, counseling assistant, substance abuse counselor.

Employment Outlook—Overall employment of counselors is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. In addition, numerous job openings will occur as many counselors retire or leave the profession. While job prospects will vary with location and specialization, opportunities generally should be very good because the number of job openings that arise should exceed the number of graduates of counseling programs. Rehabilitation counselors and substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, in particular, should experience excellent prospects.

Demand is expected to be strong for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors because drug offenders are increasingly being sent to treatment programs rather than to jail. Mental health counselors will be needed to staff statewide networks that are being established to improve services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances and for their family members. Under managed care systems, insurance companies are increasingly providing for reimbursement of counselors as a less costly alternative to psychiatrists and psychologists.

Median annual earnings of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in May 2004 were $32,130. The middle 50 percent earned between $25,840 and $40,130. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,060, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $49,600. For substance abuse, mental health, and rehabilitation counselors, government employers generally pay the highest wages, followed by hospitals and social service agencies. Residential care facilities often pay the lowest wages. Resource: US Dept. of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics For job and internship listings and job search assistance, contact the Job Placement Center in the Center for Contemporary Technology, T904, (708) 974-5737, www.morainevalley.edu/jpc.