How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Illinois

In Chicagoland, they’re counting the opioid overdose deaths in the thousands. The numbers are staggering —in 2022 alone, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office recorded nearly 2,000 overdose deaths, 1,824 of which involved fentanyl. To put that number in perspective, it’s more than all homicides and car crash facilities in the state combined during this time. The problem is widespread in Illinois.

On Chicago’s West Side, the opioid crisis is particularly acute, but it’s certainly not the only area struggling to climb out from under what feels like a dark cloud. Communities throughout Chicago and Cook County are reeling as the crisis continues to take its grim toll, everywhere from Englewood to East Garfield Park to Washington Park and beyond.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Chicago Field Division, many of the elements that make this massive metropolis so successful, such as its legitimate trade and vast infrastructure, have also allowed drugs to flow freely, creating a devastating storm that’s trapping hundreds of thousands in addiction.

But Illinois lawmakers and recovery advocates are committed to making a better tomorrow for communities through the state affected by substance use disorder. On the front lines leading that charge are the state’s Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors (CADC).

Old School Helpline Resources and Cutting Edge Outreach Programs Combine to Save Lives in Cook County and Beyond

The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Illinois Helpline serves as a free statewide resource … the Cook County Public Health Department has partnered with a large number of law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations, including public libraries, to make Narcan widely available in public places throughout the county … and just recently, the 9-1-1 system began staffing mental health professionals as part of Chicago’s Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) program. CARE’s Opioid Response Teams provide follow-ups with individuals who suffered a non-fatal opioid overdose.

Illinois’ network of substance abuse recovery programs and services is vast and growing, providing aspiring substance abuse counselors like you with exciting opportunities to become part of the state’s solution to the disease of drug addiction.

From community programs that provide safe places for people to shower, eat a hot meal, and get immediate medical attention, to city programs like CARE that help match people caught up in the cycle of drug addiction with resources, to nonprofit and private rehabilitation programs providing both short- and long-term care and services, there are many opportunities for a fulfilling career as a substance abuse counselor in Illinois.

Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Illinois

To become one of the professionals in Illinois responsible for providing counseling services to individuals with drug and alcohol problems, their families and loved ones, you’ll need to earn certification through the Illinois Certification Board (ICB).

One of the first things you’ll notice is that the ICB offers many certification options for substance abuse counselors, along with specialty designations, professional endorsements, and board-registered credentials.

But for the purposes of this guide, we’ve detailed the process of becoming a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC), the standard substance abuse counseling credential that allows you to provide professional counseling services independently.

At the bottom of this guide, in the section entitled With a Higher Degree and More Experience Comes Advanced Certification Options, we also detail the following advanced certification options that you may choose to pursue once you’ve achieved more experience and/or education in substance abuse counseling:

Becoming a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC) in Illinois involves four major steps:

1. Complete a Certificate Course Equal to 225 Clock Hours

2. Document at Least 4,000 Hours of Paid AOD-Qualified Work Experience

3. Apply for CADC Certification Through the Illinois Certification Board (ICB)

4. Take and Pass the IC&RC ADC Exam and Become Certified

You likely have plenty of questions about the process. We’ve taken the guesswork out of what it takes to earn your CADC credential by breaking down each step and providing you with clear, simple instructions that will allow you to move forward with confidence and earn the credential you need.

Step 1. Complete a Certificate Course Equal to 225 Clock Hours

The path to CADC certification in Illinois starts with a high school diploma or GED and the completion of at least 225 clock hours of education (note: 1 college semester = 15 clock hours; a 3-semester hour college course = 45 clock hours) that includes:

- 15 hours of AOD treatment services for women and their families
- 15 hours of AOD treatment services for adolescents and their families

(Examples of AOD counselor education includes pharmacology; signs and symptoms of alcohol and other drugs use; dynamics of substance use disorders; medical treatment issues; detox/withdrawal; relapse; AOD rules and regulations; AOS special populations; history of AOD; effects of alcohol or drugs on the human body)

Part of your education must also include a supervised practical experience (internship) of at least 150 hours at an approved addiction counseling site.

A number of Illinois colleges, universities, and professional organizations provide stand-alone non-degree certification programs designed to meet these requirements.

But there are distinct advantages to earning a degree as you prepare to become a CADC. Earning an associate or bachelor’s degree provides a more streamlined path to CADC certification since it substantially reduces the amount of supervised experience hours you’re required to complete (see Step 2).

An associate or bachelor’s degree, or even a master’s degree, in a related field will also set you apart from the crowd and qualify you to earn advanced credentials. (You’ll find more information on this below under With a Higher Degree and More Experience Comes Advanced Certification Options)

If you want to substitute a portion of the required experience requirements with a degree, you’ll need to complete an associate or higher degree in the behavioral sciences or in another relevant field like community counseling, mental health, social work, rehabilitation counseling, criminal justice, psychology, or sociology. The program must include at least 12 semester hours related to AOD topics.

Step 2. Document at Least 4,000 Hours of Paid AOD-Qualified Work Experience

Once you’ve completed the required education, you’ll need to begin accruing experience hours that you’ll use toward CADC certification. The ICB defines qualified work experience as a paid position where you provide direct, primary drug and/or alcohol counseling at least 51 percent of the time. Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not qualify.

So this begs the question. How do I get all these hours of supervised experience before I’m certified? The answer is more straightforward than you might think. You get a job with a private or state-sponsored substance use disorder service provider that will get you there.

Programs and providers around Illinois need help, and are looking to fill entry-level positions exactly like the kind that would give you the experience hours you need. You’ll get the experience you need while getting paid for it, and at the same time you’ll be guided along the path to qualifying for your CADC certification, and eventually more advanced credentials as you progress in your career.

If you haven’t earned an associate degree or higher in a recognized field of study, you’ll need to complete at least 4,000 hours of paid work experience to earn the CADC (equivalent to about two years of full-time work).

However, if you’ve earned a qualifying associate or bachelor degree or higher, you’ll be able to substitute some of the required experience hours:

Step 3. Apply for CADC Certification Through the Illinois Certification Board (ICB)

Once you’ve met all experience and education requirements, you’ll apply for CADC certification. You’ll need to provide the ICB with a current job description (on official company letterhead and dated and signed by both you and your supervisor) and your official transcripts when you apply.

Note: Applications are only accepted by mail: ICB, 401 East Sangamon Avenue, Springfield, IL 92702.

Step 4. Take and Pass the IC&RC ADC Exam and Become Certified

To become a CADC in Illinois, you must take and pass the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC examination).

Once ICB has approved your application, you’ll receive an exam letter and pre-registration test code via email. To schedule for this computer-based exam, you’ll complete and return the pre-registration test code sheet, along with a non-refundable payment for the exam fee.

After they’ve received your payment and re-registration form, they’ll inform Computer Based Testing (CBT), a third-party testing administrator, of your eligibility to take the exam. You’ll then receive an email from CBT with instructions on how to register for your exam (you’ll choose your exam location, date, and time.). CBT has exam sites throughout Illinois.

The ICB has study guides available to help you prepare for the IC&RC ADC exam.

You’ll immediately receive a score upon finishing the exam; however, you must wait until you receive word from ICB (about 7 to 10 days after taking the exam) to complete the final step in the application process, which includes paying the initial certification fee.

You’ll have one year from the time you apply to complete the application process, which includes taking and passing the exam and paying for the initial certification fee.

You’ll need to renew your CADC credential every two years upon the completion of at least 40 ICB-approved continuing education units (CEUs), with one college semester hour of credit equal to 15 CEUs.

With a Higher Degree and More Experience Comes Advanced Certification Options

All that hard-earned education and experience pays off in Illinois, where you can earn successively more advanced credentials in substance abuse counseling, shown here :

300 clock hours of education: 160 hours must be AOD specific
Supervised practical experience:
- 300 hours with a high school diploma
- 250 hours with an associate’s degree in a relevant field
- 200 hours with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
- 100 hours with a master’s degree or higher in a relevant field
6,000 hours (about three years of full-time work) of paid AOD-qualified work experience in the past five years, 30 hours of which must specific to AOD treatment services for women and/or their families; 30 hours of which must be AOD treatment services for adolescents and/or their families; 6 hours of which must be in professional ethics and responsibility; and 134 hours of which must be in the following performance domains: screening, assessment, and engagement; treatment planning, collaboration, and referral; counseling; and ethical and professional responsibilities
IC&RC Reciprocal Examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC examination)

Must first hold the CRADC credential
350 clock hours of education, 190 of which must be AOD specific, 45 hours must in be in AOD treatment services for women and/or their families; 45 hours must in AOD treatment services for adolescents and/or their families; 6 hours must be in professional ethics and responsibility; 30 hours must be in clinical supervision; and 124 hours in the following performance domains: counselor development; professional and ethical standards; program development and quality assurance; performance evaluation; administration; and treatment knowledge
10,000 hours (about five years) of paid AOD work experience in the past 7 years (2 of the 5 years must be as a clinical supervisor of counselors)
300 hours of supervised practical experience
IC&RC Supervisor examination

Master’s degree or higher in a behavioral science field with a clinical application
180 clock hours of AOD-specific education; 45 hours must in be in AOD treatment services for women and/or their families; 45 hours must in AOD treatment services for adolescents and/or their families; and 6 hours must be in professional ethics and responsibility
2,000 hours (about one year) of paid supervised AOD work experience in the past four years
300 hours of supervised practical experience
IC&RC Advanced AADC examination

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Illinois

Substance abuse counselors are in high demand in Illinois, and the state has set out to increase its number of qualified professionals to satisfy the growing need for CADCs. The Illinois Department of Human Services has partnered with the ICB to help prepare individuals to become CADCs, and they’re spending $3 million to jumpstart their efforts. They’ve recently begun offering financial assistance to aspiring CADCs who are working toward certification, and they’re also ramping up assistance with job placement and continuing education opportunities.

According to a report by the Illinois General Assembly, the substance abuse workforce is aging (56 percent of all substance use disorder professionals certified through the IC&RC are over the age of 50), and the state is falling below the national average rate of substance abuse counselors for every 1,000 adults.

At the same time, opioid overdose deaths continue to climb throughout the state. According to the CDC, many Illinois counties reported surging rates of opioid overdose deaths between September 2022 and August 2023 that surpassed the national rate of 32.5 deaths per 100,000 people:

Winnebago County (Rockford): 50.3 deaths per 100,000 people
Vermillion County (Danville): 47 deaths per 100,000 people
Peoria County: 44.3 deaths per 100,000 people
Sangamon County (Springfield): 44.2 deaths per 100,000 people
Cook County (Chicago): 43.3 deaths per 100,000 people
Montgomery County (Hillsboro): 42.8 deaths per 100,000 people

The number of substance abuse facilities in Illinois continues to grow, revealing increasing opportunities for substance abuse counselors. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2020 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, Illinois reported 638 substance abuse facilities in 2011; by 2020, this number swelled to 713 facilities that treated nearly 41,000 people.

No surprise here: the U.S. Department of Labor projects that substance abuse counselor jobs in Illinois will increase by 18 percent in the decade leading up to 2030. During this time, the state should see 1,480 annual job openings in the Prairie State due to a blend of new job creation, retirements, and natural job turnover.

It also comes as no surprise that many of the substance abuse counselor jobs in Illinois are concentrated in the Chicagoland region. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area ranked fourth among the nation’s top metro areas for its employment of substance abuse counselors – 11,600 as of May 2022.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Chicago

Chicago’s system of recovery and support services and programs is extensive. Substance abuse counselor jobs range from small, private rehab programs to major healthcare programs to nonprofit community clinics.

Harm reduction organizations like the Chicago Recovery Alliance are dedicated to addiction treatment and support. Major hospital systems like the University of Chicago Medicine offer an entire network of services such as medically managed detox, intensive outpatient services, and partial hospitalization services. And designated Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) facilities like the Haymarket Center provide substance use disorder treatment for individuals, regardless of their ability to pay.

The City of Chicago has also implemented a number of outreach programs and resources for Chicagoans suffering from addiction. For example, the Chicago Department of Public Health recently partnered with the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Abuse and Prevention (IDHS/SUPR) for a pilot program to offer Chicagoans medication assisted recovery (MAR). Organizations like Family Guidance Centers Inc. provide MAR, regardless of their ability to pay. Individuals seeking treatment are immediately connected with care coordinators who help them determine the best treatment options and connect them with medical providers who can then provide them with a medication prescription.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Springfield

Springfield has emerged as a leader in Illinois for its progressive approach to individuals with substance use disorder. Their Safe Passage Initiative, a partnership between the police and the Gateway Foundation, has changed the way the Springfield Police Department deals with individuals suffering from addiction. Through the Safe Passage Initiative, individuals seeking the help of the police for their drug and/or alcohol addiction will be entered into the screening process for the initiative, and any who are in possession of a small amount of drugs or drug paraphernalia will not be criminally charged.

Springfield’s progressive stance on drug addiction has allowed many individuals to seek the treatment that will help them overcome their substance use disorder. As a result, you’ll find a wealth of substance abuse counselor jobs at places like the Rediscovery Recovery House, a sober living home for men in recovery from addiction; Lincoln Recovery, a private drug rehab facility that offers a monitored detox and inpatient program; and MedMark Treatment Centers, which offers personalized opioid treatment programs and counseling services.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Rockford

Substance abuse counselors in Rockford enjoy plentiful opportunities to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from substance use disorder. For example, Rosecrance, which has more than 60 centers throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, operates a residential and outpatient treatment center in Rockford. This 97-bed treatment center offers individual counseling, family counseling, and group therapy.

Individuals in Rockford also seek treatment through the Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center, which is home to a six-month drug rehab program that offers meals, shelter, and comprehensive care that includes work therapy, spiritual counseling, life skills, Christian living, and personal growth classes. They also help individuals in the program secure sober housing, obtain a sponsor, and maintain their sobriety for the long-term.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Joliet

Opportunities for substance abuse counselors in Joliet are found at facilities like Symetria, an outpatient rehab and suboxone clinic that also offers one-on-one unlimited therapy and mental health treatment. CADCs in Joliet also work at private facilities like Stepping Stones Treatment Center, a 12-step drug and alcohol rehab that provides inpatient, outpatient, and aftercare services, along with dedicated programming for young adults and those with mental illness.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Peoria

Professional opportunities for substance abuse counselors in Peoria includes places like the Addiction Recovery Center at Carle Health Proctor Hospital, which offers inpatient care, withdrawal management, medication-assisted recovery, partial hospitalization, group and individual counseling, and medially monitored inpatient care, and UnityPoint Health Addiction Recovery Center, which offers detox, inpatient rehab, and a partial hospitalization program.

Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Chicago, Bloomington, Danville, Champaign, Peoria, Rockford, and Springfield, Illinois

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse counselors in Illinois earned a median salary of $57,500 as of May 2022, which is about $4,000 above the national median for this profession. With just a few years of experience, these professionals earned about $46,450, while those at the top of their field earned about $98,920.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Chicago

According to the BLS, substance abuse counselors in the Chicago metro area, which also includes Naperville and Elgin, earned a median salary of $62,510 as of May 2022, which was about $5,000 above the state median during this time. Those newest to the profession earned about $47,270, while those at the top of their field earned about $100,160.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Bloomington

The BLS reports that as of May 2022, substance abuse counselors in Bloomington earned a starting salary of about $37,700, a median salary of $47,470, and a top salary of $80,640.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Danville

As of May 2022, the BLS reported that substance abuse counselors in Danville earned the highest median salary of all Illinois metro areas, at $71,620. The starting salary for these professionals in the Danville metro area were about $46,630 during this time, while the top salary came in at about $94,720.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Champaign

As of May 2022, substance abuse counselors in the Champaign metro area, which also includes Urbana, earned a median salary of $62,510. With just a few years of experience, these professionals earned about $46,210, while those with extensive experience earned about $104,430 – one of the highest salaries reported among substance abuse counselors in Illinois.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Peoria

According to the BLS, substance abuse counselors in Peoria earned a starting salary of about $44,980, a median salary of $52,050, and a top salary of about $83,810 as of May 2022.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Rockford

As of May 2022, the BLS reported that substance abuse counselors in Rockford earned a median salary of $46,640. Those newest to the profession earned about $43,030, while those at the top of the pay scaled earned about $72,080.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Springfield

According to the BLS, Springfield’s substance abuse counselors earned a median salary of $54,880 as of May 2022. With just a few years of experience, these professionals earned about $46,400, while those at the top of their field earned about $81,010.

Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Illinois

The ICB currently accredits 26 alcohol and other drug counselor training programs.

You can become a substance abuse counselor by completing a certificate or training program through an Illinois college, university, or other organization. For example, the Haymarket Center, the largest provider of treatment for substance use and mental health disorders in the Chicago region, offers an ICB-accredited training program that includes 225 hours of coursework and a 300-hour internship. A number of community colleges also offer a CADC program, either with or without an associate’s degree. For example, Elgin Community College offers a path to the CADC credential through its Vocational Specialist Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling or its AAS in Human Services, Substance Abuse Counseling Option.

However, most certificate programs offered through Illinois colleges and universities are post-baccalaureate post-master’s certificate programs that require students to either be completing or have completed a degree in counseling or a related mental health field.

For example, Aurora University offers a CADC certificate program that can be earned alongside their BS or MS in Social Work, while Chicago State University offers an Alcohol and Other Drugs of Addiction Counselor Training Post-Baccalaureate Certificate for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. And Northeastern Illinois University offers a 21-credit Addiction Counseling Certificate for students or graduates of clinical mental health, couple family, rehabilitation, or school counseling programs.

Adler University

Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Master's Degrees

Graduate Degrees

Graduate Certificates

City Colleges of Chicago

Kennedy-King College
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

College of DuPage

Human Services
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

College of Lake County

Business and Social Sciences Division
Accreditation: HLC
Online

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Elgin Community College

Career and Technical
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Governors State University

College of Health and Human Services
Accreditation: HLC
Online

Bachelor's Degrees

Master's Degrees

Graduate Certificates

Illinois Central College

Arts and Behavioral Sciences Department
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Moraine Valley Community College

Health Sciences
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Oakton College

Career Programs and Pathways
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Online

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

South Suburban College

Social and Behavioral Sciences
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

University of Illinois Springfield

School of Public Management and Policy
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Master's Degrees

Graduate Certificates

University of St. Francis

College of Arts and Sciences
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Bachelor's Degrees

Graduate Certificates

Waubonsee Community College

Liberal Arts and Sciences Division
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

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.