Addiction Studies
Associate in Science Alcohol and Drug Studies · Shasta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Program description
The Addiction Studies pathway is vocational, academic, and clinical in nature. This program prepares students to become chemical dependency and drug/alcohol counselors. The program focuses on the prevention, treatment, and recovery of populations dealing with the negative effects of various forms of dependency and addiction. This research-driven program addresses community needs for trained substance use prevention and intervention specialists to work and volunteer in both public and private agencies in the North state and throughout California. This program fulfills the requirements needed to take state exams to become a certified drug/alcohol counselor.
This certificate is approved through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Upon satisfactory completion of the listed requirements and filing an application for graduation with Admissions and Records, the student’s transcript will reflect completion of this certificate.
Program learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the certificate, the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate competent performance of the Twelve Core Functions and Global Criteria in their Supervised Practicum Internships, evidenced by written supervisor review in both Supervised Internships, ADS 94 and ADS 21.
- Apply CAADE ethical standards as evidenced by completion of the Ethics and Professional Development course, and the signed Ethics Code submitted in the supervised ADS 94 and ADS 21 courses.
- Analyze and describe the physiological and pharmacological aspects of substance abuse and dependence. This includes how drugs affect different body system, cause side effects, and impacts the community as a whole.
- Demonstrate the ability to competently conduct and follow a client from the point of program entry to discharge and complete all treatment planning and case management connected to that case.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the laws, regulations, and ethical codes of the substance use disorder treatment profession.
- Utilize effective communication and active listening skills and group counseling facilitation skills.
- Apply Human Services behavioral core skills and experiential training in an addiction treatment setting.
Degree requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses | ||
| ADS-10 | Introduction to Addiction Studies | 3 |
| ADS-11 | Substance Abuse Counseling for Diverse Populations | 3 |
| ADS-12 | Basic Addiction Counseling Skills | 3 |
| ADS-13 | Group Counseling for Treatment and Recovery | 3 |
| ADS-14 | Pharmacology of Alcohol and Addictive Substances | 3 |
| ADS-15 | Substance Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery | 3 |
| ADS-16 | Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Drug and Alcohol Counseling | 3 |
| ADS-17 | Alcohol and Drug Counseling Case Management | 3 |
| ADS-18 | Family and Addiction | 3 |
| ADS-19 | Co-occurring Substance Abuse Disorders | 3 |
| ADS-20 | Personal and Professional Growth for Drug Alcohol Counselors | 3 |
| ADS-21 | Addiction Studies Internship Seminar | 2.5 |
| ADS-94 | Field Work/Internship in Addiction Studies | 4.5 |
| PSYC-C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SOCI-C1000 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| orHUSV-70 | Introduction to Social Work Human Services | 3 |
| *May be used to fulfill General Education requirements. See a counselor. | ||
Associate in Science Degree Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major | 46 | |
| General Education (SCGE) | 21 | |
| Additional Electives | 0 | |
| Degree Total | 64 | |
| Number will vary depending on units that double count. | ||