Post-Professional Practice in Alcohol and Drug Counseling
Certificate of Achievement (C) Addictive Disorders Counseling · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Overview
The Alcohol and Drug 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 Skills Competency Award: Post-Professional Practice in Alcohol and Drug Counseling.
Requirements
Certificate of Achievement Requirements
Complete all Major Requirements for the Certificate of Achievement with a C or better or Pass in each course. 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 1 | 3 |
| ADC 122 | Pharmacological And Physiological Effects Of Alcohol And Other Drugs 1 | 3 |
| ADC 124 | Chemical Dependency and the Family 1 | 3 |
| ADC 125 | Co-Occurring Disorders I: Recognition and Referral 1 | 3 |
| ADC 126 | Treatment And Case Management Of Chemically-Dependent Individual 1 | 4 |
| Total Units | 16.00 | |
- Acceptable substitutions are as follows: ADC 100 will substitute for ADC 120 Alcohol and Other Drugs; ADC 102 will substitute for ADC 122 Pharmacological And Physiological Effects Of Alcohol And Other Drugs; ADC 108 will substitute for ADC 124 Chemical Dependency and the Family; ADC 112 will substitute for ADC 125 Co-Occurring Disorders I: Recognition and Referral; and ADC 105 and ADC 106 or ADC 106 and ADC 116 will substitute for ADC 126 Treatment And Case Management Of Chemically-Dependent Individual.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop an appropriate case history.
- Assess and diagnose both the existence and degree of dependence on alcohol and other drugs.
- Define the scope, responsibility and limitations of the Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
- Formulate a comprehensive treatment plan based on client need, incorporating adjunctive support systems with primary treatment programs.
- Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Describe what constitutes an effective intervention.
- Describe the dynamics and common roles in the family of the chemically dependent person.
- Describe how to utilize community support systems, Alanon, Alateen, ACA, etc., to support family members through the recovery process.
- Apply therapeutic interventions with traditional and non-traditional family structures.
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.