Drug & Alcohol Counselor

Have you ever thought about a career in addiction counseling? Addiction counseling professionals treat individuals who are in need of substance abuse counseling as well as offer peace of mind to the families of persons who are in need of drug addiction counseling. This course, offered by our accredited school partners, covers both Level 1 and Level 2 training.

Drug and Alcohol Counseling – Level 1 reflects the explosion of information regarding the understanding, identification, and treatment of addictive disorders. It examines the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, barbiturates, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, and hallucinogens, as well as chemicals -- such as aerosols, steroids, and over-the-counter analgesics. Additionally, the course investigates solid strategies for working with clients, the differences between abusers and addicts; drug effects on children, teenagers, and pregnant and nursing women; and children of alcoholics.

After completing this course, you should be able to:
• Define methods for detecting and determining addiction type
• Identify methods for understanding addiction and avoiding triggers
• Define the different treatment approaches
• Identify techniques for overcoming addiction and solving the problems it has caused
• Identify methods for counseling and treatment

Drug and Alcohol Counseling Level 2 is a comprehensive course for people who want to work with the chemically dependent and addicted in a variety of treatment settings. This course shows the student how to use the best evidence-based treatments available, including motivational enhancement, cognitive behavioral therapy, skills training, medication and 12 step facilitation. Guiding the student step-by-step through treatment, this course presents state-of-the-art tools, and forms and tests necessary to deliver outstanding treatment and to meet the highest standards demanded by accrediting bodies.

After completing this course, you should be able to:
• Identify steps for initial assessment and treatment planning
• Comprehend various therapies and treatment groups available to the individual
• Identify the steps involved in the AA 12 step program
• Identify dual diagnoses and family treatment programs
• Define clinical staff and characteristics of a good counselor

Enroll through one of our accredited university or college partners today!

Drug and Alcohol Counseling - Level 1 Module 1
Basics of Abuse and Addiction
• About Substance Abuse
• The Cost of Chemical Abuse/Addiction
• Definitions of Terms Used
• The Growth of New "Addictions"
• A Basic Misconception
• Effects & Side Effects of Chemicals
• Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
• Barbiturates & Barbiturate-Like Compounds
• Pharmacology of Barbiturates
• Neuroadaptation, Tolerance & Physical Dependence

Drug and Alcohol Counseling - Level 1 Module 2
Commonly Abused Chemicals 1
• Medical Uses of the Benzodiazepines
• Central Nervous System Stimulants
• CNS Stimulant Abuse
• Cocaine Abuse & Dependence
• History of Cocaine
• Complications of Cocaine Abuse/Addiction
• Marijuana Abuse & Addiction
• A Medico-Legal Conundrum
• Methods of Marijuana Abuse
• Opiates as Drugs of Abuse

Drug and Alcohol Counseling - Level 1 Module 3
Commonly Abused Chemicals 2
• Abuse of & Addiction to Hallucinogens
• Methods of Hallucinogen Abuse
• The Pharmacology of LSD
• ECSTASY (MDMA)
• Salvia Divinorum
• Abuse of & Addiction to Inhalants
• Scope of the Problem of Inhalant and Steroid Abuse
• Sources & Methods of Steroid Abuse
• Chemicals & the Neonate
• Scope of the Problem for Pregnant Women

Drug and Alcohol Counseling - Level 1 Module 4
The Many Faces of Substance Abuse
• Gender & Addiction
• Differing Effects of Common Drugs on Women
• The Faces of Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
• Rehabilitation for Children or Adolescents
• SUD & College Students
• Consequences of SUD in the College Population
• Codependency & Enabling
• Addiction and the Family
• Interventions
• Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA)

Drug and Alcohol Counseling - Level 1 Module 5
Understanding Substance Abuse Disorders
• The Dual-Diagnosis Client
• A Diagnostic Challenge
• Psychopathology & Drug of Choice
• Applications of the Medical Model of Addictions
• The Psychosocial Models of SUD
• A Disease of the Human Spirit
• The Mind-Body Question
• The Games of Addiction
• A Definition of Intervention
• Common Forms of Intervention

Drug and Alcohol Counseling- Level 1 Module 6
The Treatment of Addiction
• Treatment Settings
• Outpatient Treatment
• Residential Treatment Programs
• The Process and Methods of Treatment
• Pharmacological Interventions
• Pharmacotherapy of SUDs
• Lapse & Relapse
• Cravings & Urges
• Toxicology Tests
• Psycho-Educational Interventions

Drug and Alcohol Counseling - Level 1 Module 7
Other Issues in Chemical Dependence
• Elements of AA
• AA & Outside Organizations
• Other Types of Support Groups
• Challenges with 12-Step Programs
• SUD & Infectious Disease
• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Pneumonias & Tuberculosis
• Viral Hepatitis
• Drug Use & Violence
• The "War" on Drugs

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 1
Counseling: The Initial Hours
• How Treatment Works
• The Motivational Interview
• Natural History of Addiction
• How to Assess Motivation
• First Hours of Treatment
• How to Greet Clients
• Beginning the Therapeutic Alliance
• Dealing with Early Denial
• How Clients React to Detoxification
• Diagnosis: Substance Use Disorder

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 2
Biopsychosocial Interview and Treatment Plan
• How to Conduct the Interview
• Summary and Impression
• Disposition and Treatment Plan
• How to Build a Treatment Plan
• How to Develop Objectives
• How to Develop Interventions
• How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Treatment
• How to Select Goals, Objectives, and Interventions
• Treatment Plan Review
• How to Write Progress Notes

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 3
Individual Treatment and Group Therapy
• The Therapeutic Alliance
• How to Be Reinforcing
• Behavior Therapy
• Cognitive Therapy
• Interpersonal Therapy
• Benefits of a Group Process
• The Agenda Group
• The Relapse Prevention Group
• The Spirituality Group
• The Childhood Group

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 4
Drugs of Abuse and Recovery Skills
• Central Nervous System Depressants
• Alcohol
• Opioids
• Hallucinogens
• Synthetic Designer Drugs
• Cannabis
• Nicotine
• The Chemical Use History
• Love, Trust, and Commitment
• Addictive Relationships
• Self-Discipline
• Stress Management

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 5
12 Step Program and Lectures
• The Committee
• How to Help Clients Accept a Higher Power
• The Disease Concept
• Defense Mechanisms
• The Great Lie
• Normal Development
• Physical Addiction and Recovery
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Meetings

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 6
Special Problems and Adolescent Treatment
• The Psychiatric/Psychological Assessment
• The Depressed Client
• The Angry Client
• Personalities
• The Borderline Client
• The Narcissistic Client
• The Anxious Client
• Puberty
• Group Therapy
• Peer Pressure

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 7
The Family Program and The Clinical Staff
• The First Family Contact
• Common Family Problems
• How to Treat Family Members
• Psychologist/Psychiatrist
• Social Workers
• Nurses
• Staff-Client Problems
• Clinical Staffing

Drug and Alcohol Counseling 2 - Module 8
Continuing Care and Good Counselors
• Outpatient Discharge Criteria
• Inpatient Discharge Criteria
• How to Develop a Discharge Summary
• The Discharge Summary
• Aspects of Good Counseling

Psychology
• The Field of Psychology
• Biological Basis of Behavior, Sensation, and Perception
• Consciousness
• Learning with Change, Experience, and Memory
• Cognition and Intelligence
• Human Development
• Motivation and Emotion
• Sexuality and Gender
• Personality and Behavioral Patterns
• Health, Stress, and Its Management
• Mental Disorders: Causes, Nature, and Treatment
• Social Thought and Behavior

All required reference materials are provided with this program. Technical requirements:

Internet Connection
• Broadband or High-Speed (DSL, Cable, Wireless)
Hardware Requirements
• Processor - 2GHz Processor or Higher
• Memory - 1 GB RAM Minimum Recommended

Software Requirements
• Operating Systems - Windows 7, 8 or 10; Mac OS x 10 or higher
• Microsoft Office 2007, 2010 or 2013 or a Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)
• Internet Browsers - Google Chrome is highly recommended
• Cookies MUST be enabled
• Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled)
• Adobe PDF Reader

Upon successful completion of our Drug and Alcohol Counseling Level 1 and Level 2 courses, students may be prepared, in part, to sit for licensing and credentialing exams. Each state has its own regulations, and each state may have additional licensing requirements, so be sure to research your states requirements for employment by visiting your states occupation board.

This course provides students with qualified support professionals to guide them through their learning experience. The student support team is available to answer any questions a learner may have including questions on course content, course material, certifications, and registration or enrollment questions. Support advisers also monitor the progress of learners to ensure training retention and program advancement.