Addictive Disorders Counseling
Certificate of Achievement (C) Addictive Disorders Counseling · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Overview
The Addictive Disorders Counseling Program is designed to prepare students to work in the field of addictions counseling. Both a Certificate of Achievement and Associate Degree are available. The program provides students with the education and training to develop paraprofessional expertise and to qualify for employment as entry-level addictions counselors. A required fieldwork component offers students invaluable hands-on experience working at a facility dedicated to the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction. Licensed clinicians seeking expertise in addictions can complete the new non-fieldwork based Certificate of Achievement: Post-Professional Practice in Alcohol and Drug Counseling.
Requirements
Certificate of Achievement Requirements
Complete all Major Requirements for the Certificate of Achievement with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. Candidates for a Certificate of Achievement are required to complete at least 20% of the major requirements through SBCC.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Core | ||
| ADC 120 | Alcohol and Other Drugs | 3 |
| ADC 121 | Basic Interviewing And Counseling Skills | 3 |
| ADC 122 | Pharmacological And Physiological Effects Of Alcohol And Other Drugs | 3 |
| ADC 123 | Group Treatment | 3 |
| ADC 124 | Chemical Dependency and the Family | 3 |
| ADC 125 | Co-Occurring Disorders I: Recognition and Referral | 3 |
| ADC 130 | Diversity and Cultural Issues In Counseling: Identity, Expression and Addiction | 3 |
| ADC 135 | Chemical Dependency Counseling Case Management and Treatment | 3 |
| ADC 146 | Substance Abuse Prevention | 3 |
| ADC 148 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Addictive Disorders Counseling | 3 |
| ADC 152 | Clinical Process | 3 |
| ADC 290 | Work Experience in Alcohol and Drug Counseling | 4 |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3-4 |
| orPSYC C1000H | Introduction to Psychology - Honors | |
| orSOC 101 | Introduction To Sociology | |
| orSOC 101H | Introduction to Sociology, Honors | |
| orADC 131 | Attitudes, Motivation and Behavior Change | |
| Total Units | 40.00-41.00 | |
Learning Outcomes
- Implement a systematic approach to screening and assessment of individuals thought to have a substance use disorder and who are being considered for addiction-related services in a crisis situation.
- Use a collaborative process in which professionals and the client develop a written document that identifies important treatment goals within measurable, time-sensitive action steps toward achieving those goals with expected outcomes.
- Employ the administrative, clinical and evaluative activities that bring the client, treatment services and other resources together to focus on the issues and needs identified in the treatment plan.
- Facilitate the client’s progress toward mutually determined treatment goals and objectives, including counseling methods that are sensitive to individual client needs and to the influence of significant others, as well as the client’s cultural and social norms.
- Present clients, families, significant others and community groups with information on risks related to psychoactive substance use, as well as available prevention, treatment and recovery resources.
- Record the screening and intake process, assessment, treatment plan, clinical reports and progress notes, discharge summaries and other client-related data.
- Adhere to the obligations of an addiction counselor within accepted ethical and behavioral standards of conduct and professional development.
Recommended Sequence
Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.
How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.