Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies, Addiction Counseling, AAS

Major Code: 3302

Program Description

Note: Students enrolled in this program MUST submit to and pass drug screening tests – one prior to beginning any practicums and/or clinicals, and one random test during the same semester as any practicum and/or clinicals. Students will sign an agreement for this requirement which will outline the details.

Addiction is the number one public health issue in the United States today. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 22.1 million people aged 12 or older needed treatment for a substance use disorder in 2010. This program is designed to prepare students for careers in addiction counseling and to enhance the knowledge and skills of those already working in the field. Skills include individual, family and group counseling techniques, as well as assessment, treatment planning, prevention, and other topics related to addiction. This program was designed to prepare students to become an alcohol and drug counselor (ADC) in compliance with the standards set by the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP).

Program Goals and Objectives

• Prepare data, utilize assessments, and create treatment plans
• Demonstrate person-centered teaching/counseling/support strategies
• Recognize stages of change and implement intervention strategies
• Apply motivational interviewing skills in the counseling relationship
• Demonstrate 12 Core Functions of an addictions counselor
• Apply various assessment tools in regard to identifying chemical dependency
• Complete a career plan and be academically prepared for lifelong learning and professional growth.
• Practice addictions recovery by promoting choice, societal change, access to resources, and holistic approaches, and optimal community-based living
• Acquire proficiency in non-violent crisis prevention intervention and

Program Assessment

Program outcomes are assessed systematically and comprehensively by didactic course reviews, clinical performance evaluations, externally assessed by clinical supervisor evaluations, employer feedback, student/graduate surveys, and faculty evaluation. General education outcomes are assessed through General Education Portfolio

Other Information

www.bridgevalley.edu

Careers

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors is projected to grow 31% from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is expected as addiction and mental health counseling services are increasingly covered by insurance policies. The demand for rehabilitation, substance abuse, and behavioral disorder counselors is particularly strong due to the increasingly high rate of recidivism. Additionally, individuals with substance abuse related charges are being court ordered into residential treatment facilities rather than into the correctional system. Graduates can expect to find employment in:

• Private and Non-profit Treatment Facilities
• Correctional Institutions
• Hospitals
• Local and State governments
• Outpatient care centers
• Family services organizations
• Residential facilities

Salary

$25,410 - $60,000
Median annual wage: $38, 520