Addiction Studies, A.A.S.

The primary goal of this program is to give students an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue and become a certified addictions counselor in Illinois through the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCThis program is designed to give students an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a certified addictions counselor in Illinois through the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA)/Illinois Certification Board (ICB). The Illinois Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA), under the Department of Human Services, recognizes certification as a qualifying credential for Addiction Counseling staff working in licensed addictions treatment programs. Students who complete the Associate in Applied Science degree are eligible to take the credentialing exam for the Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC). It is especially important and valuable to note that upon completion of this degree, the normal two-year work experience requirement for Certified Addictions Counselor candidates is waived. This means that a student who earns an Associate's Degree in Addiction Studies will only have to take and pass the certification exam in order to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.A)/Illinois Certification Board (ICB). An addictions counselors professional training and levels of clinical experience vary. Addictions counselors provide alcohol and drug counseling and education by performing a number of key functions, which may include the following: Individual Counseling Group Counseling Intakes and Assessments Client Education Referrals Case Management Record Keeping Related Job Titles Alcoholism Counselor, Addictions Counselor, Intake Worker, Substance Abuse Counselor, Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Chemical Dependency Counselor