Becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor in Delaware
Find Programs for Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Delaware
As availability of prescription drugs and synthetic drugs has increased throughout the United States, many states have battled a growing substance abuse issue. This is an issue that does not seem to respond to harsher penalties, incarceration, or fines. As a result, many states have turned to increased treatment options to address this problem.
In Delaware, criminal justice legislators have turned their attention to making substance abuse treatment more widely available and affordable, rather than putting first-time offenders in the prison system (Washington Times, 2016).
A certified addiction counselor can provide patients with the practical skills and knowledge they need to fight drug addiction and improve their quality of life.
Find out how to become a substance abuse counselor in Delaware by getting in touch with degree programs near you.
Substance Abuse Counselor Training in Delaware
The first level of certified substance abuse counselor training in Delaware is undergraduate education. At this stage, you need a Bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling or behavioral science from an accredited four-year institution.
After meeting general education requirements in various academic areas, you move on to classes that focus on the psychology of drug addiction and effective treatment methods. On average, full-time students graduate in four years.
As you delve into the causes of addiction and the different treatments available, you can build your practical and clinical skills by working with patients in a supervised setting.
Bachelor‘s Level Substance Abuse Counseling Courses
- Crisis Intervention Skills for Addiction and Substance Abuse Counselors
- Case Management in Addiction Treatment
- Family Dynamics and Communication Education
- Relapse Prevention in Substance Abuse Treatment
- Foundations of Addiction and Substance Abuse Disorders
Master’s in Substance Abuse Counseling—Delaware Requirements
To become a fully licensed and independent counselor, you need to meet Delaware substance abuse counselor certification requirements. A Master’s degree in this field typically includes 35 to 50 credits, which can usually be completed in six semesters of study.
Previous study in psychology, human services, and human development is extremely helpful at this stage, since graduate-level courses focus on the advanced theories and theoretical perspectives of substance abuse. On top of your classroom theory courses, you gain hands-on experience by working with patients with different substance abuse issues.
If you need the flexibility of an online degree, you may earn an online CADC certificate for Delaware licensure.
Addiction Counselor Delaware Graduate Courses
- Assessment of Addiction
- Integrated Addiction and Mental Health Treatment
- Ethical and Legal Issues in Addiction Treatment
- Theories and Models for Addiction Treatment
- Interventions in Substance Abuse Treatment
- Implications of Addiction Treatment
Substance Abuse Counselor Careers in Delaware
Your education may help you meet many requirements for substance abuse counselor certification. Delaware has two levels of certification.
- The Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals requires that CADC applicants have either a Bachelor’s degree and 4000 hours of supervised work experience or a Master’s degree and 2000 hours of supervised work experience.
- To become an LADC in Delaware, you need a Master’s degree and 3200 hours of experience.
In Delaware, expected job growth rates mirror what is reported in other parts of the country. Statewide demand for substance abuse counselors may increase 19% by 2024, while job openings for substance abuse social workers may increase 15% (O*Net, 2016).
Currently, Delaware substance abuse counselors claim an average salary of $41,280 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). The average annual income for a substance abuse social worker is $51,920 (BLS, 2016).
There’s no better time than right now to look into substance abuse counselor careers. This specialized area of psychology empowers you to help patients who may feel as if they have run out of options. There is still a significant stigma associated with substance abuse, and it often prevents people from asking for help when they need it. Your hard work and education can help Delaware get closer to its goal of a drug-free population.