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You will be taught by professionals with years of experience in alcoholism and other addictions counseling. The program includes an internship that will allow you to gain valuable on-the-job experience and apply what you have learned in your courses. You may be eligible to earn college credits for prior learning or work experience. Contact Moraine Valley's Alternative Learning office at (708) 974-5710 for details. Nature of Work—The primary goal of this program is to give you an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue and become a Certified Addictions Counselor (CADC) in Illinois through the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA) and related certification entities. An addictions counselor's professional training and levels of clinical experience vary. Addictions counselors with less training will not directly treat patients or clients, but function as part of a team by providing assistance to licensed, professional mental health practitioners. An addictions counselor's 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:
In addition , they will assist other licensed professionals. Related Job Titles—Alcoholism counselor, addictions counselor, assistant intake worker, human services worker, caseworker, counseling assistant, substance abuse counselor, alcohol and drug counselor, chemical dependency counselor. Employment Outlook—Overall employment of counselors is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2008. In addition, numerous job openings will occur as many counselors retire or leave the profession. While job prospects will vary with location and specialization, opportunities generally should be very good because the number of job openings that arise should exceed the number of graduates of counseling programs. Rehabilitation counselors and substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, in particular, should experience excellent prospects. Demand is expected to be strong for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors because drug offenders are increasingly being sent to treatment programs rather than to prison. Counselors will be needed to staff statewide networks that are being established to improve services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances and for their family members. Under managed care systems, insurance companies are increasingly providing for reimbursement of counselors as a less costly alternative to psychiatrists and psychologists. Median annual earnings of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in May 2008 were $37,030. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,410 and $47,290. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $59,460. For substance abuse, mental health, and rehabilitation counselors, government employers generally pay the highest wages, followed by hospitals and social service agencies. Residential care facilities often pay the lowest wages. Resource: US Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010-2011 edition www.bls.gov/oco For job and internship listings and job search assistance, contact the Job Resource Center in the Student Services Center, S202, (708) 974-5737, www.morainevalley.edu/jrc. |
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The
use of alcohol and other drugs continues to be a social problem touching all
elements of society: loss of work proficiency, functional relationships,
appropriate parenting and ultimately human life. Moraine Valley Community
College's Addictions Studies Program recognizes that the treatment of addictions
must be comprehensive treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.
