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Associate of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling – 100% Online

If you want to help others struggling with substance addiction, consider HCI College’s Substance Abuse Counseling online program, which is ideal for those who wish to enter the field with more education or advance an existing career in Substance Abuse Counseling.

You know the devastation addiction can cause, and you believe you have the ability to help others empower themselves. Perhaps you have overcome addiction yourself, and have become stronger for having survived it. You have the willpower, now all you need is training and you will be on your way to starting a fulfilling career as a Substance Abuse Counselor.

Associate of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling Description

The AS in Substance Abuse Counseling prepares the student to help individuals with job readiness knowledge, skills and attitudes required to be successful in the helping professions; acquire paraprofessional competencies applicable to the substance abuse treatment field and many other behavioral health professions; learn about theories as they apply to working with clients, skills needed to apply the theories, and promote an understanding of how substance use disorders develop in individuals as well as how treatment is designed to meet their individual needs. This degree is especially useful for those wanting to work in the field of substance abuse or mental health treatment.

Is Substance Abuse Counselling Career Training Right For You? Find Out!

Take the HCI “Substance Abuse Counselling Career Training Readiness Quiz”

This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get Your Substance Abuse Counselling Career Training Readiness Score Now >>

Program Highlights

  • 100% Online
  • 24 Month Program
  • Associate of Science Degree

Program Goals and Objectives

  • Initial screening of potential clients as to their need for further evaluation and diagnosis.
  • Intake: Collecting of necessary personal information, explanation of confidentiality laws, obtaining of appropriate release of information signatures.
  • Orientation: Clarify rights and responsibilities of both client and treatment facility, facility rules, tour appropriate areas, explain treatment process, help client to understand what is expected, and what s/he may expect.
  • Referral: Be able to appropriately match client diagnosis and symptoms to treatment facility and program level. Be familiar with other area programs and facilities that clients may need beyond substance abuse treatment and be able to make appropriate referrals.
  • Counseling: Be able to: select the appropriate counseling model(s) for a situation; use one-on-one and group counseling skills, including empowering clients, focusing on strengths, and keeping the focus on the client’s agenda, not the counselor’s.
  • Crisis Intervention: Recognize and appropriately respond to signs of relapse, suicidality, depression. Be able to appropriately call others for assistance when the situation is beyond his/her abilities to handle.
  • Patient Education: Counselor should be able to: help client to understand the processes of addiction, withdrawal, relapse, and recovery; convey this information in terms understood by clients and in one-on-one, in group or in front-of-the room environments.
  • Case Management: Be able to understand, and where appropriate assist client with, processes in which the client may be involved in the areas of social services, legal, health care, and mental health care.
  • Reporting and Record Keeping: Be able to keep succinct but complete and coherent records regarding all client interactions for the well-being of both client and agency. Be capable of objective reporting and of knowing what should be included.

If you are considering advancing your career in substance abuse or mental health treatment, contact HCI College admissions today. Find out how you can earn your Associate of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling online.

*Graduates from this program will receive their degree from the West Palm Beach campus.

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