Delaware

What does an Addiction Counselor in Delaware do? What is Their Job Role?


Substance abuse is one of the most daunting issues of our time, wreaking havoc in the lives of users and their families. As a substance abuse counselor, you can make a difference and help turn around the lives of those battling addictions to drugs or alcohol. In Delaware, there are different requirements for licensure depending on a candidate’s goals and education, and it is possible to work your way up the career ladder.


Overview


In Delaware, the state government recognizes Counselor I and Counselor II status for substance abuse professionals, with the former a higher position than the latter. However, a substance abuse counselor can receive Counselor II status while he or she is working to meet Counselor I requirements. Individuals seeking Counselor II status may work at this level while fulfilling Delaware or national certification, or If they have worked in this field for less than five years. Those enrolled in qualifying practicums or internships may also receive Counselor II status.


Delaware Licensing & Certifications for Associates & Independent Counselors


Delaware offers two types of substance abuse counselor certification. The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor(CADC) receives certification via a third party system, while the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) is state-sanctioned and requires an advanced degree.


The Delaware Certification Board (DCB), a nonprofit, private organization, establishes certification standards and monitors such standards for substance abuse counselors and other professionals in the field of behavioral health. Since the DCB is part of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium, credentialed counselors may move to another state and receive automatically another state’s accreditation or licensure.


Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC)


The LADC license requires either a master’s degree or Ph.D. in behavioral science. This includes a minimum of 30 graduate level hours in counseling or related fields. To receive the LADC title, a person must have at least 3,200 hours of post- master’s degree experience in substance abuse counseling.

Chemical Dependency Professionals


Through the state’s Division of Professional Regulation/ Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals), those with master’s degrees may earn licensure as Chemical Dependency Professionals. Such applicants may present certification as a National Certified Addiction Counselor via the Association of Addiction Counselors or as a Master Addiction Counselor. All such certifications are sent to the Board office, and must include the date of certification and the certification number. The Board issues license to professionals, and meets the fourth Wednesday of every month at noon, except for July and November. These meetings are held in the Cannon Building, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover.


Those wanting to put their license application on the Board’s agenda for consideration must submit all necessary documentation to the Board at least ten business days before a meeting date.

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)


Delaware requires CADC applicants to have current employment in the field. While CADC certification does not require a bachelor’s degree, those with degrees may become certified faster. Many employers require a bachelor’s degree for their positions. While Delaware does not require a major in a particular subject, types of human service majors are preferable. CADC applicants may receive credit for workshop, seminars and in-service activities as well as regular college credits. The DCB considers three college credits as equivalent to 45 hours. CADC candidates must have at least 270 hours of education relating to the following fields:


  • Clinical evaluation

  • Counseling

  • Treatment planning

  • Service coordination

  • Referral

  • Documentation

  • Education – community, family or client

  • Professional ethics and responsibilities.


The professional ethics and responsibilities component requires a minimum of six hours. Delaware allows all educational components to take place through qualified distance learning courses. The candidate must also show proof of direct supervision of at least 10 hours in each of these domains, for a minimum total of 300 hours.


DCB Application


The application for CADC certification is available on the DCB website. The application includes a verification form filled out by the supervisor and a release that requires notarization. All candidates must provide their current job description, signed by their supervisor, and any relevant training certificates. Employment is verified via a letter written on the employer’s letterhead. At least three weeks before submitting the application, DCB recommends candidates ask to have their official transcripts sent from their academic institutions. Currently, certification fees are $350.


Once the application is approved by the DCB, the candidate may schedule an examination at one of the several computerized testing centers located throughout the state “on-demand.” Should the candidate not pass the initial examination, he or she must pay a $150 re-examination fee when taking the test again.


Background Checks


All candidates are subject to criminal background checks and fingerprinting. Delaware residents should have their background checks performed at one of three locations listed in the application. Kent County location allows walk-ins, but appointments are necessary at New Castle or Sussex County. or New Castle County. Bring the authorization form found in the packet and pay the fee, currently $69, to the location of your choice.


CACREP Accredited Online Certification


Two types of accreditation are recognized in the United States; institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation takes the entire institution into account while the specialized focus on professional preparation programs. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is a specialized accreditation that focuses on master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling at colleges and universities worldwide. Only already-accredited institutions are eligible for CACREP review. The review for accreditation will center on programs offering graduate degrees in counseling.


Choosing a CACREP-accredited program ensures that the program meets the highest of quality standards. Many counseling specialties are accredited by the CACREP, including addiction counseling. Accredited addiction counseling programs prepare individuals to work with those affected by addictive behavior and their families. Addictive behaviors include alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex, and anything else that negatively affects your personal or work life by creating addiction behaviors.


CACREP-accredited programs will focus on treatment models and the phases of addiction including prevention, recovery, and relapse prevention. These 60-semester hour programs will include the application of interventions. When students choose a CACREP-accredited program they can be confident that:


  • the program meets or exceeds national standards

  • the program will focus on professional counseling rather than psychology or education

  • the program has an excellent reputation

  • CACREP graduates statistically receive higher scores on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE).

  • the requirements for licensure will be met.


Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals


The Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals’ primary goal is protecting their state’s citizens from unsafe and unethical counseling practices. The Delaware Board develops professional standards, rules, and regulations. The Board maintains competency standards as well as watching for incidents of price fixing or other unethical practices and they handle all complaints against licensees and enforces any necessary discipline. The Board regulates licensure for:


  • Mental Health Counselors

  • Associate Counselors of Mental Health

  • Chemical Dependency Counselors

  • Marriage and Family Therapists

  • Associate Marriage and Family Therapists


Address

Cannon Building

861 Silver Lake Boulevard

Suite 203

Dover, DE 19904-2467


Phone

(302) 744-4500


Website Address

https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/profcounselors/


Licensure:

  • Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH)

  • Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (LACMH)


Delaware has a Licensed Alcohol and also Medication Specialist with a 3rd party state credentials system and a state supported qualified level. Both titles are: the Qualified Alcohol and likewise Drug Counselor (CADC) and also the Certified Alcohol and additionally Medication Specialist (LADC). The LADC degree requires a Master's degree in a Behavioral Science with credit histories in Treatment or a very closely appropriate topic.


You call for 270 hours of education as well as knowing in the 8 ADC domain names with at the very least 6 in specialist concepts as well as likewise obligations. Education and learning can be in the form of a degree program at an accredited university or in-services, university credit report training programs, workshops as well as workshops. 3 college debts can be transformed right into 45 hrs of education and learning.


You can find the application right here. The Qualified Alcohol as well as likewise Drug Counselor (LADC) is the state approved title. This title requires an innovative degree. You require to have a Master's degree or Ph. D. in a Behavioral Science with at the minimum 30 hours at the graduate degree in Counseling courses or really affiliated area.


Delaware chemical abuse counselors might be qualified for one or even much more qualifications based upon their academic level. Nonetheless, the process is shorter for those that do hold degrees. Chemical abuse therapists with master's levels can be licensed as Chemical Dependency Professionals through the Division of Specialist Legislation/ Board of Mental Health As Well As Health as well as Chemical Dependence Specialists; unlike DCB, this is a governmental company.


Work can be validated via a letter on letterhead. The candidate ought to supply a current job summary, co-signed by a manager, and certifications from appropriate training. DCB recommends that 3 weeks prior to application, potential customers demand to have actual official documents sent out from the issuing scholastic facility. There is a $350 charge for certification.


Delaware will absolutely approve qualification as a National Qualified Addictions Counselor (NCAC) or Master Dependency Therapist (MAC) provided by the Association for Addition Specialists (NAADAC). A product abuse specialist that is approved by an extra company could furnish records that will certainly allow the Board to figure out equivalence/ viability. A substance abuse counselor that holds an existing license in a UNITED STATE.


Drug counselors in Delaware are given special training, in many cases specialized training in substance abuse counseling. These professionals who work in hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers can work with addicts of all ages, backgrounds, and languages. Some people in Delaware do not even recognize that there is such a thing as a drug counselor, but they do provide the kind of emotional support required to help addicts get back on track.


Substance abuse counseling jobs in Delaware offer these addiction counselors the ability to help many different types of patients. This can range from patients of all ages and backgrounds, to those that are young, old, and sick. The ability to help people who are ill can help make these addiction counselors very popular.


A career as an addiction counselor is more than just offering the necessary support to the patients they help. They must also take on their own personal and professional relationship with the patients. Drug counselors may even be required to work with their own families, making sure they are on track, and doing what they can to ensure they can stay out of trouble.


There are plenty of areas in which a drug counselor has to look into. Whether it is counseling people about abuse of alcohol and drugs, or help for the drug addicted loved ones, these counselors have to learn just as much as their patients. They have to work hard to educate themselves about all forms of addiction and be willing to take on the job.


In order to be an addiction counselor in Delaware, a person must graduate from a college or university with an Associate of Arts degree. In addition, they must have at least a Bachelor's degree, in addition to an internship in addition to their main degree. These degrees also include a concentration in substance abuse counseling.


Many health care facilities, and organizations also require their addiction counselors to undergo specialized training. Counselors must undergo certification in their field or be certified in a field related to addiction. These programs can involve courses in psychology, behavioral sciences, and rehabilitation, among other things.


Education is one of the great benefits of being an addiction counselor. In addition to getting the proper education, counselors also gain knowledge in addiction recovery. Counselors are trained to help patients get through the challenges that are caused by addiction.


The recovery process is a complicated one and requires patience and understanding. The addiction recovery process does not happen overnight and cannot be completed in a week. Because of this, counselors learn to set realistic goals for their patients, so they can succeed in the recovery process.


Because of their compassion and love, counselors can also help in the rehabilitation process. They can speak with clients about their past history and learn about addiction and how it came to affect them. They can even help addicts talk to their families about the dangers of abusing drugs and about how to get help for themselves if they need it.


Substance abuse counseling jobs in Delaware also offer a host of other options for drug counselors. Counselors can work with rehab facilities to provide medical care for patients. They can also be trained to handle the treatment of addicts that will need ongoing medical treatment.


Not only is education training a great benefit to being a counselor, but it is also very important to the recovery process. Some of the educational requirements for people in the field can be as basic as taking a high school diploma. However, more advanced and professional education is usually required.


It is important for people in this career to understand the importance of effective treatment, and how to work with addicts. Addiction counselors can make an impact on a person's life when they work with the person who has an addiction problem. and ensure that they receive the best possible care.


Counselor Testing & Examination Process


Candidates must take the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium Examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors. The exam’s questions are in a multiple choice format, and the candidate must choose between four possible responses. Of the four, only one answer is considered the best, and candidates receive credit only if they choose that response.


Clinical Supervision Explained


Delaware requires a substantial amount of clinical supervision before someone may qualify as a counselor. Approved supervisors may be mental health counselors, chemical dependency professionals, psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers or marriage and family therapists, all of whom are currently licensed. However, Delaware does not approve school psychologists or counselors as mental health counselor supervisors.


The amount of clinical supervision necessary depends on education level. Those lacking a bachelor’s degree must put in 6,000 hours of supervised work experience in alcohol and drug addiction, although the hours are reduced to 5,000 for those who have earned an associate degree. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree must put in 3,000 hours, while those with a master’s degree must put in 2,000 hours. More than half of these hours – a minimum of 51 percent - of such work experience entails providing clients with direct addiction counseling.


For an LADC, at least half of the 3,200 hours, or 1,600, must take place under a DCB-approved supervisor’s direct supervision. These 1,600 hours must be completed within four years. One hundred of those hours must include “face-to-face” supervisor consultation, and of those 100 hours, not more than 40 may take place under group supervision. Group supervision is considered face-to-face time between the candidate, the supervisor and up to five other people under supervision.


Renewal and Continuing Education


Recertifications are necessary for CADCs every two years, and there are continuing education requirements of 40 hours of approved education every two years. This includes 20 hours of addiction-specific education and three hours in professional ethics and responsibilities. All educational hours require documentation, such as a transcript, sent to the DCB.


LADC licenses are renewable every other year, and expire in seven years.


Potential Counselor Career Path Options

  • Addiction Counselor

  • Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor

  • Behavioral Health Specialist

  • Certified Addiction Drug and Alcohol Counselor

  • Chemical Dependency Counselor

  • Mental Health Counselor

  • School Counselor

  • Substance Abuse Counselor


Associations & Organizations


Professional associations for substance abuse counselors in Delaware include the Delaware Association for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (DAADAC), whose goals are to “organize a constituency of professionals with unified goals in the prevention and treatment of alcoholism, drug addiction, and co-occurring disorders who primarily live and/or work in the State of Delaware.” DAADAC also advocates for the profession’s recognition and promotion in law and public policy.