Alaska is not immune to the effects of the nation’s drug crisis. And in some ways, it has even more of an uphill battle than much of the lower 48. Limited law enforcement, gaps in healthcare resources, and a vast geography that makes it difficult to stem the flow of narcotics trafficking — all these things come together to create a perfect storm for a substance abuse epidemic.
Between 2020 and 2021, Alaska tragically gained recognition as the state with the highest rate of fentanyl overdoses, as reported by the Alaska Department of Health. During this period, overdose deaths surged 74%, with fentanyl-related cases skyrocketing an alarming 150%.
The impact on American Indian and Alaska Native populations is particularly severe. In 2021, their overdose rate was 77.7 deaths per 100,000 people, a stark contrast to the 28.8 deaths per 100,000 among non-native Alaskans.
But there’s a glimmer of light shining out from behind this dark episode we’re living through. There are people who care, and who are capable of doing something about it. Those people are the state’s dedicated substance use disorder professionals who have put the time in to earn the Chemical Dependency Counselor (CDC) credential. It’s definitely time well spent. With the skills they develop, CDCs are able to roll up their sleeves to do the hard work of disrupting the trend we’ve been seeing in recent years, making a real difference here in Alaska, one patient at a time.
You could be one of them. Here’s how.
Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Alaska
The Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification is the state agency that certifies substance abuse counselors, granting four successive certification levels to front-line counselors and supervisors based on experience and education:
- Chemical Dependency Counselor Technician
- Chemical Dependency Counselor I
- Chemical Dependency Counselor II
- Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor
- Program Administrator
If you’re career-focused and just getting started in the field, the Chemical Dependency Counselor I (CDC I) certification is what you’re after. That’s what we’ll be covering here in this guide.
You’ll take three major steps to become a CDC I in Alaska:
1. Complete a Required Training Program or Meet the Education Requirements with a Degree
2. Satisfy Clinical Work Experience Requirements
3. Apply for CDC I Certification
Becoming a substance abuse counselor in Alaska takes dedication, but the certification process doesn’t have to be daunting. We’re here to provide clear guidance and simplify the steps to help you achieve your goal.
1. Complete a Required Training Program or Meet the Education Requirements with a Degree
The first thing you’ll notice is that the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification offers both a degree and non-degree track to certification as a CDC I.
So, what route should you choose?
There are some obvious benefits to both you and your patients if you either hold a degree or choose to earn one in preparation to become a chemical dependency counselor.
An understanding of both general and addiction psychology, the social contexts in which addictions arise, and the social services and resources available to patients are all things that will come into play daily as a CDC. Holding an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in social work, addiction, human services, social services, psychology, or psychiatric nursing will also streamline your path to meeting the training and experience requirements to qualify for CDC certification.
Non-Degree Route to CDC Certification
If you choose to go the non-degree route, you’ll work with the Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor Training Program to complete a total of 148 clock hours of training, either remotely via Zoom or on-site in Anchorage, Barrow, Bethel, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, or Sitka.
Those training hours break down as follows:
Core Counseling Concepts:
- Ethics within the last two years (3 hours)
- Confidentiality within the last two years (3 hours)
- Intro to Addictive Behaviors (8 hours)
- Crisis Intervention (8 hours)
- Intro to Client-Centered Counseling (12 hours)
- Intro to Group Counseling (8 hours)
Specialized Topics:
- Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS (6 hours)
- Documentation (8 hours)
- Working with Diverse Populations (12 hours)
- Community Resources Use & Case Management (8 hours)
- Recovery, Health, Wellness, & Balance (8 hours)
Technical Skills and Evidence-Based Practices:
- Psycho-physiology (12 hours)
- Motivational Interviewing (16 hours)
- DSM Practice (12 hours)
- ASAM Practice (12 hours)
- Co-Occurring Disorders (12 hours)
Degree Route to CDC Certification
If you already have a degree in social work, addiction, social services, human services, psychology, or psychiatric nursing, or choose to earn an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s in one of these fields, much of the required coursework will be covered. If not included in your program, you’ll need to take the following courses: Ethics (3 hours); Confidentiality (3 hours); Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS (6 hours); and Intro to Addictive Behavior (8 hours).
Earning a degree also reduces the amount of training you’ll need to complete by half (see step 2) and will better position you for advanced certification options down the road.
All applicants are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if the degree program meets certification requirements.
2. Satisfy Clinical Work Experience Requirements
Once you’ve completed the required education, you’ll begin a period of training that includes both a formal supervised practicum and clinical experience in direct contact with patients. You’ll work under a qualified supervisor during this time who will document and attest to your work hours. Your duties must include direct client interaction, counseling (individual and group), treatment planning, and associated tasks.
Earning a degree will also allow you to complete the clinical work requirements much faster.
- If you did not complete a recognized degree program, you’ll need to complete a supervised practicum of 100 hours, followed by 4,000 hours (about two years) of on-the-job training as a chemical dependency counselor.
- If you completed a recognized degree program, you’ll need to complete a supervised practicum of 100 hours, followed by 2,000 hours (about one year) of on-the-job training as a chemical dependency counselor.
Graduating from a degree program also provides applicants with a leg up over non-degree applicants for two other primary reasons:
- Most programs include a practicum (internship) where you’ll be able to satisfy the 100-hour supervised practicum.
- After graduation, your college or university will provide job placement services that will help you secure a position in an approved setting that specializes in substance abuse counseling and addiction treatment where you’ll be able to earn the required experience hours to become a CDC I.
3. Apply for CDC I Certification
Once you’ve successfully completed all education and experience requirements, it’s time to apply for your CDC I certification. You can download the application and code of ethics agreement from the ACBHC website, or you can request a paper copy from the commission.
You’ll also need to gather supporting documents like professional affiliate recommendations, a supervisor recommendation, counselor competency practicum form, and employer verification.
Once everything is complete, mail the original application packet, supporting documents, and the $195 application fee to the ACBHC. Note that incomplete applications won’t be processed.
After submitting your application, the ACBHC will review it. You’ll receive your CDC I certification if everything is approved, and if not, you’ll be contacted for additional information.
Your CDC I certification is valid for two years. You will need to complete at least 40 hours of continuing education in the behavioral health field during each renewal period, three hours of which must be in ethics and confidentiality.
With More Experience Comes Advanced Certification Options
More experience in the substance abuse counseling field opens doors to advanced certifications, leading to better job opportunities in supervisory and administration roles, higher pay, and the ability to make a greater impact in your profession.
As you gain experience in the field, you’ll have the option of advancing your CDC I certification through three successive certification levels:
Chemical Dependency Counselor II (CDC II)
- 3 years (6,000 hours) of experience
- Must meet all practicum requirements for CDC I level plus 100 hours of supervised practicum based on the Alaska core competencies.
- 48 contact hours in:
- Ethics (3)
- Confidentiality (3)
- Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS (6)
- Intro into Addictive Behavior (8)
- Special Issues in Behavior Health Services (16)
- Documentation Quality Assurance (12)
Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor (CDS)
- 5 years (10,000 hours) of experience
- Must meet all practicum requirements for CDC II level plus 100 hours of supervised practicum based on the Alaska core competencies.
- 78 contact hours in:
- Ethics (3)
- Confidentiality (3)
- Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS (6)
- Intro into Addictive Behavior (8)
- Special Issues in Behavior Health Services (16)
- Documentation Quality Assurance (12)
- Principles & Practices of Supervision (30)
Administrator
- 3 years (6,000 hours) of experience as an administrator or manager, 2 of which must be in a licensed program.
- 300 hours of a supervised practicum meeting administrator content requirements.
- 73 contact hours in:
- Ethics for Supervisors (3)
- Ethics for Business / Health Care (3)
- Confidentiality within last two years (3)
- Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS (6)
- Leadership in Community Development (12)
- Principles and Practices in Supervision (30)
- Cross-Cultural Diversity (8)
- Crisis Intervention (8)
Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Throughout Alaska
According to the Alaska Department of Health, over 200 Alaskans died from drug overdoses in 2022. The demand for substance abuse counselors is expected to remain strong in the coming years. According to the US department of labor, the number of jobs in the field is expected to grow by 11% in Alaska through 2030.
The state offers opportunities for substance abuse counselors in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and communities across Alaska. Facilities like Akeela House in Anchorage, which specializes in residential and outpatient treatment programs, and the Ralph Perdue Center in Fairbanks, offering residential care, are just a few of the settings where substance abuse counselors are making a difference.
As a substance abuse counselor in Alaska, you’ll make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by addiction. Just some of the other programs recognized by The Alaska Department of Health include:
- Arctic Recovery, Anchorage
- Chris Kyle Patriots Hospital, Anchorage
- Rainforest Recovery Center, Juneau
- Stepping Stones, Fairbanks
- Restore Incorporated, Fairbanks
Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Throughout Alaska
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse counselors in Alaska earned a median salary of $70,866 as of May 2023. Entry-level professionals in this field earned approximately $46,430 annually, while highly experienced substance abuse counselors earned $103,590 on up.
- Anchorage: As of May 2023, the BLS reported a median salary of $69,742 for substance abuse counselors in Anchorage. Less experienced counselors earned about $43,410 during this time, while the top counselors earned $100,350 or more.
- Fairbanks: According to the BLS, substance abuse counselors in Fairbanks earned a median salary of $62,797 as of May 2023. Those with less experience earned around $44,820, while more experienced counselors earned at least $98,150.
Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Alaska
For many, becoming a substance abuse counselor starts by earning a degree in the behavioral health field. You’ll have some options to choose from in Alaska, including the University of Alaska Anchorage’s BS and MS in Social Work. However, you’ll also find many programs offered by colleges and universities outside the state that fulfill the requirements for CDC I certification in Alaska. Many of these programs are delivered in an online format, which makes it easy to earn your degree regardless of where you live.
2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures shown here for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. Job growth projections are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, CareerOneStop. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2024.