Substance Abuse Counselor

Program Overview

The Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) certification program at Laitinen Academy is designed to prepare professionals for a career in addressing substance use disorders and providing effective, compassionate care. This program focuses on a comprehensive approach to addiction counseling, combining evidence-based theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Course Objectives

In-depth Understanding of Addiction: Explore the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to substance use and dependency.
Advanced Counseling Techniques: Develop advanced skills in various counseling methodologies that support individual and group therapy settings.
Integrated Treatment Models: Learn to design and implement integrated treatment plans that address co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Ethics and Professional Responsibility: Gain a deep understanding of the ethical considerations unique to the field of substance abuse counseling.

Program Length

This intensive program is structured to cover a wide range of topics essential for effective counseling, culminating in 260 hours of instruction followed by a practicum or supervised clinical experience.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be awarded a certification from Laitinen Academy, recognized as a substantial qualification for practicing as a Substance Abuse Counselor. Graduates are also prepared to meet state licensure requirements, subject to the regulations of their respective states.

Who Should Enroll

Aspiring substance abuse counselors looking to obtain certification and licensure.
Health care professionals aiming to specialize or gain comprehensive knowledge in addiction counseling.
Social workers, psychologists, and other practitioners expanding their expertise in substance use disorders.

Learning Outcomes

Comprehensive knowledge of addiction science and effective treatment methodologies.
Proficiency in ethical decision-making and client care management.
Preparedness for licensure exams and qualifications for immediate employment in various therapeutic settings.

Career Options

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Providers, Hospitals, Detox, Residential, Outpatient, Medication Assisted Treatment Clinic (MAT), Health and Human Services, Criminal Justice

Typical pay scale for substance abuse counselor SAC

The pay scale for Substance Abuse Counselors (SAC) can vary widely depending on several factors including geographic location, level of education and certifications, type of employer, and years of experience in the field. Here’s a general overview of what you might expect:

Entry-Level Substance Abuse Counselor

Starting salaries for entry-level Substance Abuse Counselors typically range from $30,000 to $40,000 annually. These positions often require minimal experience and may accept candidates with a bachelor’s degree or, in some cases, an associate degree coupled with relevant certifications.

Mid-Level Substance Abuse Counselor

Mid-career professionals, who have gained a few years of experience and possibly additional certifications or a master’s degree, can expect salaries in the range of $40,000 to $50,000 per year. This range can include counselors who have developed specialized skills or are working in settings that require a higher level of expertise, such as inpatient centers or hospitals.

Experienced Substance Abuse Counselor

Experienced counselors, particularly those with advanced degrees, specialized certifications (like a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor), or management responsibilities, might see their salaries range from $50,000 to $65,000 or more.

Professional Substance Abuse Counselor

Senior-level or highly specialized Substance Abuse Counselors, including those who manage large programs or have extensive experience, can earn $65,000 to $80,000 or more. These positions typically require significant expertise and years of experience.

Geographical Variations

High-cost areas: In regions with a higher cost of living, such as major metropolitan areas like New York City or San Francisco, salaries can be significantly higher to accommodate the increased living expenses.
Rural areas: In contrast, more rural areas might offer lower salaries but also tend to have a lower cost of living.

Type of Employment

Private sector: Jobs in private practice or private rehab facilities might offer higher wages compared to public or nonprofit settings.
Public and nonprofit sectors: These roles may have more limited budgets resulting in lower salaries but often provide more benefits, such as loan forgiveness programs for those working in certain conditions or areas.

Additional Benefits

Benefits: Full-time Substance Abuse Counselors often receive benefits packages which can include health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. These benefits can add significant value to the overall compensation package.

Salaries are often influenced by the demand for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, which has been increasing due to a greater understanding of addiction as a medical condition and a move toward treatment over incarceration for drug-related offenses. Always consider the entire compensation package and potential career advancement opportunities when evaluating job offers.

Memberships

International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium IC&RC

IC&RC promotes public protection by offering internationally recognized credentials and examinations for prevention, substance use disorder and recovery professionals. Membership offers Reciprocity World Wide

National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals NAADAC

NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, represents the professional interests of more than 100,000 addiction counselors, educators and other addiction-focused health care professionals in the United States, Canada and abroad. NAADAC’s members are addiction counselors, educators and other addiction-focused health care professionals, who specialize in addiction prevention, treatment, recovery support and education.

Participating in the SAC-IT program has been a very transformative experience for me. I feel confident and capable of transitioning into the next phase of my career as a substance use counselor. I have developed such a strong understanding of our client population and am excited to support them in a greater capacity and support their recovery journey. I am so proud to have taken the leap and enrolled in Laitinen Academy.

The start of my personal recovery journey was full of substance abuse counselors and clinical support. I had no idea what the future looked like for me, but the more that I learned more about my own substance use disorder and how to take care of myself, the more I realized I could use my experience and those skills I was learning to help others. The SAC-IT Program through Laitinen Academy had been like a GPS on that road. The tools I’ve learned and the education I received in the program not only have helped me feel prepared for this field, but they have strengthened my excitement for the opportunity to do this work. The positive impact this program has had on me is going to be a key piece of the positive impact I hope to have on others

As an individual in recovery, having an opportunity to work in the treatment field has brought me a level of job satisfaction that I never thought was possible. As I’ve continued to grow into this field I’ve looked for ways to advance my knowledge and skill set and Laitinen Academy’s Substance Abuse Counselor In-Training course gave me just the opportunity I was looking for. The comprehensive course work combined with the easy to use platform, and attentive one-on-one instruction allowed for me to feel engaged and supported throughout the entire course. The material presented in the course felt both educational and representative of real world scenarios I may encounter while working as a counselor for those that suffer from Substance Use Disorders, and upon completion of the course I feel invigorated and prepared to begin work as a Substance Abuse Counselor In-Training.