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Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor
Alcohol and other drug abuse counselors (AODA) are specially trained for treating individuals addicted to or struggling with alcohol and/or drug abuse. Counselors basically assist in motivating patients in maintaining sobriety, provide substance abuse education and direct the behavioral changes necessary for sobriety.
The primary responsibility of the counselor is to help patients adjust to a life without chemical dependency. Working with both the patient and their families, counselors provide physiological and psychological therapies along with substance abuse education.
Job Outlook
As more and more companies implement pre-employment drug testing programs and employee assistance programs, the need for AODA counselors will grow. Counselors work in hospitals, community clinics, private practices and corporations. Many programs, however, are funded by the government making it difficult to predict future job availability.
Educational Requirements
There are three levels of certification through the Illinois Addictions Counselor Certification Board.
Associated addictions counselor - one year of work experience
Addictions counselor - two years of work experience
Senior addictions counselor - four years of work experience
| Each of the above levels requires one or more of the following additional education depending on the counselor level selected: |
| • | Alcoholism and other addictions counselor training program |
| • | College degree (related degree is a degree in human service, behavior science or health care area; i.e., alcoholism and other addictions counseling, social work, psychology, rehabilitation, counseling, medicine) |
| • | Nursing |
| • | Life experience |
Certification is awarded to those individuals who demonstrate adequate skill, knowledge and competence in AODA counseling. Certification does not depend upon any single educational or experimental background. The required knowledge and skill may be acquired through a combination of specialized training, education, supervised work experience and life experience.
Educational Programs - Chicago Area
Adler School of Professional Psychology
65 East Wacker Place Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 201-5900
http://www.adler.edu/
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Harold Washington College
30 East Lake Street Room 702
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 553-5600
http://hwashington.ccc.edu/
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College of DuPage
425 Fawell Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 942-2800
http://www.cod.edu/
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Elgin Community College
1700 Spartan Drive
Elgin, IL 60123
(847) 697-1000
http://www.elgin.edu/
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Governors State University
College of Health Professions
One University Parkway
University Park, IL 60466
(708) 534-5000
http://www.govst.edu/
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Moraine Valley Community College
10900 South 88th Avenue
Palos Hills, IL 60465
(708) 974-4300
http://www.morainevalley.edu/
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National Louis University
2840 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 256-5150
http://www3.nl.edu/
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Waubonsee Community College
Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive
Sugar Grove, IL 60554
(630) 466-7900
http://www.wcc.cc.il.us/
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Other Programs
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Mail Code: 4609 Rehabilitation Institute
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 536-7704
http://www.siu.edu/
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Additional Resources
Illinois Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Professional Association, Inc.
West Grand Plaza
1305 Wabash, Suite L
Springfield, IL 62704
(217) 698-8110
http://www.iaodapca.org/
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