Become an addictions counselor
With a degree from Jamestown Community College in Addictions Counseling and CASAC-T credentialing, you can work with individuals who suffer with drug addiction and substance abuse. Pursue jobs in inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, as well as programs in mental health, harm reduction, and drug maintenance.
While at JCC, you will learn about the nature and history of addiction and chemical dependency, and skills needed for intake assessment, treatment planning, case management, and counseling.
Your degree will prepare you for transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or addictions counseling. It also satisfies the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) 350-hour educational requirement to become a CASAC-Trainee, which lets you apply for CASAC-T certification through NYS OASAS with the goal of becoming fully credentialed as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor (CASAC) in New York. Learn more about becoming a CASAC »
2024 median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: $59,190/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
OASAS Addiction Professionals scholarship
You may qualify for the OASAS Addiction Professionals Scholarship program when you attend JCC! The program includes multiple scholarships, some which cover our full tuition.
Where to study at JCC
Courses
Addictions counseling skills
After you complete the program, you will be able to:
- Learn about substance abuse, including the physical and pharmacological effects of substances, diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders, diverse intervention and treatment approaches, health, wellness and communicable diseases, and the use of toxicology testing and screening devices.
- Develop counseling skills pertaining to addictions, including individual, group and family approaches, while developing cultural competence and knowledge of special populations.
- Demonstrate understanding of theories of human development and their relationship to substance abuse, and the impact of substance use on families and community.
- Demonstrate skills in assessment, clinical evaluation, recordkeeping, treatment planning, case management, and patient, family, and community education.
- Develop competence in maintaining professional and ethical responsibilities, including counselor-client relationships, ethical decision making and conduct, confidentiality and legal issues, and counselor wellness.