Substance abuse counseling can be very difficult work. Overcoming substance abuse is very difficult, and for many, it is a lifelong challenge. Recovering addicts experience physical and psychological withdrawals.
Substance abuse counselors typically treat people with drug and alcohol problems, but they also work with people overcoming other behavioral addictions, such as gambling or pornography. Substance abuse counselors typically vary the prescribed treatment methods and modality to meet the individual needs of patients.
Substance abuse counselors work at drug rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, community clinics, and hospitals. When treating patients, counselors work with the patient to identify behaviors, settings, and situations that trigger drug or alcohol abuse. After counseling with patients, substance abuse counselors develop personalized rehabilitation plans designed to help patients overcome abuse and manage stress effectively in situations that typically trigger drug or alcohol relapses.
Each state has different licensing requirements for substance abuse counselors, but most counselors are required to complete both degree and on-the-job training. Jobs are available to those with bachelor’s degrees, but many drug rehabilitation centers and other organizations prefer counselors with master’s degrees in counseling, psychology, or social work.
Some organizations provide on-the-job training, but most hire applicants with relevant work experience, such as social work or counseling. Many organizations that hire substance abuse counselors may also seek those individuals who have personally dealt with and overcome drug or alcoholic abuse or addiction.
The National Board for Certified Counselors offers a substance abuse counseling certification program. Most state licensing boards require substance abuse counselors to periodically complete continuing education to remain state certified.
Below is a list of 79 colleges and universities offering degree programs in substance abuse counseling.
Troy University – Troy, AL
Programs offered include:
Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology – Substance Abuse Counseling
Argosy University – Phoenix, AZ
Programs offered include:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Substance Abuse
John F Kennedy University – Pleasant Hill, CA
Programs offered include:
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology – Addiction Studies
Nova Southeastern University – Fort Lauderdale, FL
Programs offered include:
M.S. in Counseling – Substance Abuse Counseling
Palm Beach Atlantic University – West Palm Beach, FL
Programs offered include:
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology – Professional licensure in Addictions Counseling
University of South Florida – Tampa, FL
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Addictions & Substance Abuse Counseling
MA in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling – Addictions and Substance Abuse Counseling
Hawaii Pacific University – Honolulu, HI
Programs offered include:
Bachelor of Arts in Human Services – Substance Abuse Counseling
Boise State University – Boise, ID
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Counseling – Addiction Studies
Master of Arts in Counseling – Addictions Counseling
Adler School of Professional Psychology – Chicago, IL
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology – Chicago, IL
Programs offered include:
MA in Clinical Psychology in Counseling – Treatment of Addiction Disorders
Indiana Wesleyan University – Marion, IN
Programs offered include:
Bachelors of Science in Addictions Counseling
Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling
Master of Arts in Counseling – Addictions Counseling
Martin University – Indianapolis, IN
Programs offered include:
Major in Addictions Counseling
University of Northern Iowa – Cedar Falls, IA
Programs offered include:
Certificates in Substance Abuse Counseling
Allen County Community College – Iola, KS
Programs offered include:
Associate of Applied Science in Addictions & Prevention Studies – Counseling
Associate of Science in Addictions & Prevention Studies – Counseling
Certificate in Addictions and Prevention Studies – Counseling
Butler Community College – El Dorado, KS
Programs offered include:
Associate of Science – Addictions Counseling
Garden City Community College – Garden City, KS
Programs offered include:
Major in Addiction Counseling
Kansas Wesleyan University – Salina, KS
Programs offered include:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Services – Addictions Counseling
Newman University – Wichita, KS
Programs offered include:
Bachelor of Science in Counseling – Addiction
Pittsburg State University – Pittsburg, KS
Programs offered include:
Certification in Addictions Counselor
Morehead State University – Morehead, KY
Programs offered include:
Certification in Substance Abuse Counselors
Western Kentucky University – Bowling Green, KY
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Addictions Counseling & Education
McNeese State University – Lake Charles, LA
Programs offered include:
Master of Arts in Psychology – Addiction Treatment
Our Lady of Holy Cross College – New Orleans, LA
Programs offered include:
Associate of Science in Addictions Counseling
Bachelor of Science in Addictions Counseling
Southeastern Louisiana University – Hammond, LA
Programs offered include:
degree
degree
Southern University at New Orleans – New Orleans, LA
Programs offered include:
Associate of Arts in Substance Abuse Counseling
Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling
The University of Louisiana at Monroe – Monroe, LA
Programs offered include:
Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling
Coppin State University – Baltimore, MD
Programs offered include:
Bachelor of Science in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling
Master of Science in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling
Frostburg State University – Frostburg, MD
Programs offered include:
Certificates in Psychology – Addictions Counselor Preparation
Sojourner-Douglass College – Baltimore, MD
Programs offered include:
Bachelor of Arts in Addictions And Substance Abuse Counseling
Cambridge College – Cambridge, MA
Programs offered include:
M.Ed. in Addiction Counseling M.Ed. in Marriage & Family Therapy, Mental Health & Addiction Counseling
M.Ed. in Mental Health & Addiction Counseling
M.Ed. in Mental Health & Addiction Counseling – Trauma Studies
M.Ed. in School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling – School Adjustment, Mental Health & Addiction Counseling
M.Ed. in School Adjustment, Mental Health & Addiction Counseling – School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling
Curry College – Milton, MA
Programs offered include:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Substance Abuse Counseling
Springfield College – Springfield, MA
Programs offered include:
Major in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies – Addictions and Mental Health
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Substance Abuse Counseling
Master of Science (M.S.) in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services
Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Substance Abuse Counseling
Madonna University – Livonia, MI
Programs offered include:
Major in Psychology – Addiction Studies
Oakland University – Rochester, MI
Programs offered include:
Educational Specialist in Counseling – Addictions Counseling
University of Detroit Mercy – Detroit, MI
Programs offered include:
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling – Addictions Counseling
Montana State University – Bozeman, MT
Programs offered include:
Certification in Addiction Counseling
University of Great Falls – Great Falls, MT
Programs offered include:
Associate of Science in Addictions Counseling
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Addictions Counseling
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Addictions Counseling
University of Nevada-Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Addiction Studies
Monmouth University – West Long Branch, NJ
Programs offered include:
Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling – Substance abuse Counseling
Montclair State University – Montclair, NJ
Programs offered include:
Master of Arts in Counseling – Addictions Counseling
The College of New Jersey – Ewing, NJ
Programs offered include:
Master of Arts in Counselor Education in Community Counseling – Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Canisius College – Buffalo, NY
Programs offered include:
Master in Counseling – Substance Abuse Counseling
Mercy College – Dobbs Ferry, NY
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling
New York Institute of Technology – city, state
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling
Saint Joseph’s College-New York – Brooklyn, NY / Patchogue, NY
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Alcoholism and Addiction Counseling
Appalachian State University – Boone, NC
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Addictions Counseling – Addiction Counseling
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Addiction Counseling
East Carolina University – Greenville, NC
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling
Master of Science in Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte – Charlotte, NC
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington – Wilmington, NC
Programs offered include:
Master of Arts in Psychology – Substance Abuse Treatment Psychology
Jamestown College – Jamestown, ND
Programs offered include:
B.A. in Psychology – Addiction Counseling
B.S. in Psychology – Addiction Counseling
Certification in Addiction Counseling
University of Mary – Bismarck, ND
Programs offered include:
Major in Addiction Counseling
M.S. in Counseling – Addiction Counseling
Ohio Christian University – Circleville, OH
Programs offered include:
B.A. in Substance Abuse Counseling
Tiffin University – Tiffin, OH
Programs offered include:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Addictions Counseling
Certificate in Addictions Counseling
University of Cincinnati – Cincinnati, OH
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Addictions and Chemical Dependency Counseling
Youngstown State University – Youngstown, OH
Programs offered include:
Master of Science in Counseling – Addiction Counseling
Northeastern State University – Tahlequah, OK
Programs offered include:
M.S. of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling
Portland State University – Portland, OR
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Addictions Counseling
Chestnut Hill College – Philadelphia, PA
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Addictions Treatment
M.A. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology – Addictions Treatment
M.S. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology – Addictions Treatment
Clarion University – Clarion, PA
Programs offered include:
B.S. in Rehabilitative Services – Substance Abuse
Saint Vincent College – Latrobe, PA
Programs offered include:
Addiction Specialist Certificate
Slippery Rock University – Slippery Rock, PA
Programs offered include:
M.A. in Community Counseling – Addiction Counseling
Rhode Island College – Providence, RI
Programs offered include:
B.S. in Chemical Dependency/Addiction Studies
University of South Dakota – Vermillion, SD
Programs offered include:
M.A. in Counseling – Substance Abuse Counseling
Alvin Community College – Alvin, TX
Programs offered include:
A.A.S. – Mental Health/Addiction Counseling
A.A.S. – Human Services – Substance Abuse Counseling
Certificate in Human Services – Substance Abuse Counseling
Certificate in Mental Health/Addiction Counseling
Amarillo College – Amarillo, TX
Programs offered include:
A.A.S. – Substance Abuse Counseling
Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling
Austin Community College District – Austin, TX
Programs offered include:
A.A.S. – Addictions Counseling
Certificate – Addictions Counselling
Certificate in Addictions Counseling in Criminal Justice System
San Antonio College – San Antonio, TX
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling
The University of Texas-Pan American – Edinburg, TX
Programs offered include:
Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitative Services – Addictions
College of St. Joseph – Rutland, VT
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling
M.S. in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling
Regent University – Virginia Beach, VA
Programs offered include:
B.S. in Psychology – Substance Abuse
The College of William and Mary – Williamsburg, VA
Programs offered include:
M.Ed in Community Counseling – Community & Addictions Counseling
Marshall University – Huntington, WV
Programs offered include:
M.A. in Counseling – Mental Health Counseling with Addictions Emphasis
West Virginia Wesleyan College – Buckhannon, WV
Programs offered include:
Major in Psychology – Addiction and Recovery
Edgewood College – Madison, WI
Programs offered include:
Major in Psychology – Substance Abuse Counseling
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater – Whitewater, WI
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Addictions Counseling
Viterbo University – La Crosse, WI
Programs offered include:
Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling
