Alcohol and Other Drug Studies

Summary

The Certificate of Achievement in Alcohol and Other Drug Studies prepares students for certification as alcohol and other drug counselors in the State of California (units may qualify for other state certification or licensing requirements). The Certificate of Achievement is designed to prepare students for entry level alcohol and other drug counselor employment. Students must complete all required courses within ten years in order to receive the Certificate of Achievement.

The AODS department recommends students take courses in the order as presented.

AODS 270 must be substituted for AODS 164 if student has a paid internship.

Learning Outcome(s): Students who complete the Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Program will be able to:

1. Identify diagnostic criteria, apply assessment skills, and describe scientifically validated models of substance use disorder treatment.
2. Identify the behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social effects of psychoactive substances on the person and their significant others.
3. Explain the potential for medical and mental health conditions to coexist with substance use disorder.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the laws, regulations, and ethical codes of the substance use disorder treatment profession.
5. Practice in an internship the eight addiction counselor practice dimensions: clinical evaluation; treatment planning; referral; service coordination; counseling; client, family, community education; documentation; professional and ethical responsibilities.

Accreditation

The Alcohol and Other Drug Studies (AODS) program prepares students for certification as substance use disorder counselors in the State of California (units may qualify for other state certification or licensing requirements). This program is vocational, academic, and clinical in nature. It trains students in the practice dimensions and core competencies of alcohol and other drug counseling while providing a theoretical foundation in the behavioral sciences and human service professions.

The AODS certificate program includes education in the many complex factors that contribute to addiction and substance abuse (including psychological and sociological factors), training in the evidence-based clinical practices used in day-to-day work as a counselor, and on-the-job experience through a supervised internship at an active treatment facility.

The AODS certificate program at San Diego City College is fully accredited and approved by the State of California’s Department of Health Care Services through a contract with the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE), an organization that accredits substance abuse counselor training programs in higher education.

Upon completion of the certificate of achievement or associate degree, students may be eligible for entry level employment as an alcohol and other drug counselor. However, the State of California requires additional credentialing in order to maintain employment in this field. Persons hired as alcohol and other drug counselors have five years to become fully certified and most employers will want counselors to be certified within a year of being hired. California does not license alcohol and other drug counselors at this time. Certification is accomplished through private credentialing organizations that are nationally approved and approved by the State of California. The Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Program specifically prepares students for application to three certifying organizations: the California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators' (CAADE) Addiction Counselor Certification Board of California (ACCBC), the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP), and the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). ACCBC offers certification as a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC), CADTP offers certification as a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CAODC), and CCAPP offers certification as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC). Each organization offers several levels of certification depending on experience and academic achievement. Students who complete the certificate of achievement in AODS will have met the educational requirements for all three certifying organizations.

Requirements