New Hampshire’s northern most city of Berlin serves as a sober reminder that the nation’s drug epidemic has touched even the most seemingly unlikely places in the country.
While the focus of discussions about the state’s drug crisis often center around cities like Manchester, which reported some 700 drug overdose deaths in 2022, the more remote regions of the state have not been spared from the deadly consequences of substance addiction either. In fact, according to many, it’s getting worse. According to Berlin’s police chief, in this city of just 9,000 people, 11 died of a drug overdose in 2022. And in other more rural areas of the state, like Coos County, the picture is largely the same. In 2022, residents of Coos County died at twice the rate from drug overdoses that they did in New Hampshire as a whole.
However, accessing treatment and finding recovery support pose significant challenges in these areas due to limited services and scarce financial resources. With only one treatment center serving the entire North Country (which encompasses about one-third of the state), individuals seeking help often face long waiting periods and logistical difficulties in reaching clinics or doctors.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress everywhere you turn. Community leaders in Berlin secured state funding for a recovery center, providing peer-based supports like twelve-step groups and recovery coaching. These resources aim to help individuals feel more at home and sustain their recovery journey. Similarly, Colebrook has improved access to both treatment and the overdose-reversal drug naloxone.
Whether you’re interested in becoming part of the drug crisis solution in New Hampshire’s bustling metro areas like Manchester and Nashua, or your aspirations lie in improving access to care and resources in the state’s more rural areas, there are many opportunities available in New Hampshire. Becoming a substance abuse counselor in New Hampshire means providing the care that’s needed across the state to battle the drug abuse crisis and provide those with substance use disorder and the people who love them with hope for a better future.
Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals (OPLC) is the state agency responsible for licensing substance abuse counselors in New Hampshire. They offer the following certification levels for counselors based on experience and education:
- Certified Recovery Support Worker (CRSW)
- Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC)
- Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (MLADC)
- Licensed Clinical Supervisor (LCS)
For most aspiring substance abuse counselors in New Hampshire, the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) credential serves as the point of entry into the field. That’s the credential we’ll be covering here in this guide.
1. Earn an Associate Degree or Higher in Addiction Studies or a Similar Focus
2. Complete 300-Hours of Hands-on Training and 6,000 Hours of Supervised Work Experience (4,000 hours with a bachelor’s)
3. Take and Pass the IC&RC ADC Exam
4. Apply to Become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) through the New Hampshire Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals (OPLC)
Don’t let the licensure process intimidate you. Becoming a substance abuse counselor in New Hampshire is within reach, and we’re here to simplify the steps and help you achieve your career goals.
1. Earn an Associate or Higher Degree in Addiction Studies or a Similar Focus
To become a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) in New Hampshire, you’ll need to earn a minimum of an associate degree in substance use counseling, addiction studies, or an equivalent program. Your program must include no less than 300 hours of drug and alcohol education, with a certain number of hours distributed across these specific domains:
- 6 hours of education in confidentiality
- 6 hours of education in the 12 core functions
- 6 hours of education in ethics
- 6 hours of education in HIV and AIDS
- 6 hours of education in suicide prevention
You can earn the required education through a formal college or university associate degree program or through programs offered by organizations like the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuser Counselors, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), the New Hampshire Training Institute on Addictive Disorders, and the New Hampshire Center for Excellence on Addiction. Note: No more than 25% of the required education can be obtained online, with exceptions for online college programs or live and interactive online training.
You can also meet the educational requirements for certification as an LADC in New Hampshire by completing a bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas:
- Clinical mental health
- Social work
- Psychology
- Substance use counseling
- Addiction studies
- Human services
Earning a bachelor’s degree can reduce the number of practical training hours you’ll need for licensure as you’ll see in Step 2.
2. Complete 300-Hours of Hands-on Training and 6,000 Hours of Supervised Work Experience (4,000 with a Bachelor’s)
Now it’s time to complete a period of supervised work experience and practical training. This training phase will provide you with invaluable hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply the knowledge you have gained thus far in a real-world setting.
Supervised Practical Training: You must complete a minimum of 300 hours of supervised practical training in alcohol and drug use counseling. This training should cover the 12 core functions, with at least 10 hours of supervised practical training received in each function. The supervised practical training should include both direct and indirect supervision.
If you completed an associate degree program through a college or university, chances are you’ve already met the experience requirement through the completion of an internship or practicum!
Supervised Work Experience: You’ll need to accumulate 6,000 hours (about three years) of supervised work experience under the supervision of an individual authorized by the Board to practice substance use counseling. If you hold a bachelor’s degree, you need to accumulate just 4,000 hours (about two years) of supervised work experience.
The college or university where you earned your degree will be able to help you secure placement with an agency where you can complete the required hours.
Your supervisor will closely monitor your performance during the work experience and maintain detailed records and notes. These records and notes are essential for accurately assessing your work and completing the Supervised Work Experience Report Form you’ll need when applying for LADC certification.
3. Take and Pass the IC&RC ADC Exam
You’ll need to take and pass the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam before applying for the LADC license.
You’ll complete the Jot Form and submit payment to register for the exam. Within 10 days, you’ll receive word from the IC&RC that details the steps to take to schedule your exam.
The IC&RC will send your exam scores directly to the Board upon passing the exam.
4. Apply to Become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) through the New Hampshire Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals (OPLC)
Have you fulfilled the required experience hours and passed the ADC exam? Then it’s time to apply for the LADC credential!
You’ll need to complete and sign the Application for Initial Licensure as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor or Master Alcohol and Drug Counselor form and submit the following forms:
- Criminal history records check form and fingerprint card to request both a NH and federal records check.
- Verification of Employment form
- Supervision Agreement
- Education and Training Summary form
- Applicant Evaluation form
Once the Board has received all the required documents, they’ll review your application and notify you if any additional information is needed and issue your license within 60 days.
With a Master’s Degree and More Experience Comes Advanced Certification Options in New Hampshire
Ready to take the next step in your substance abuse counseling career?
Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (MLADC):
- Earn a master's degree in clinical psychology, substance use treatment, social work, or human services
- Accumulate at least 3,000 hours of post-master’s clinical supervised direct counseling experience
- Take and pass the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (AADC) exam
Licensed Clinical Supervisor (LCS):
- Hold a current MLADC or LADC license with no disciplinary actions
- Accumulate at least 10,000 hours of counseling experience, and 4,000 hours of supervision experience in substance use and co-occurring disorders
- Complete at least 30 hours of training in clinical supervision
Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Manchester, Dover, and Throughout New Hampshire
The state of New Hampshire offers a range of opportunities for substance abuse counselors to make a meaningful impact in their communities. In Manchester, you can find employment at facilities such as the Manchester Alcoholism Treatment Center and the Elliot Hospital Behavioral Health Services, both of which provide comprehensive treatment programs for individuals struggling with substance abuse. In Dover, there are opportunities at locations like the Southeastern New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, where you can contribute to the provision of behavioral health services.
Other notable facilities in New Hampshire where substance abuse counselors are needed:
- The Farnum Center, Manchester: Specializes in substance abuse treatment and recovery services.
- Harbor Homes, Nashua: Offers a range of behavioral health and substance abuse services.
- Greater Nashua Council on Alcoholism, Nashua: Provides counseling and support services for individuals and families affected by substance abuse.
- Genesis Behavioral Health, Laconia: Offers a comprehensive range of mental health and substance abuse treatment programs.
Embarking on a career as a substance abuse counselor in New Hampshire not only allows you to help others but also offers a fulfilling and rewarding professional path. With the ongoing need for these services, your role will be essential in supporting recovery and promoting healthier communities throughout the state.
Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Manchester, Dover, and Throughout New Hampshire
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse counselors in New Hampshire earned a median salary of $54,470 as of May 2023. Entry-level professionals in this field earned approximately $39,130 annually, while highly experienced substance abuse counselors earned closer to $80,540.
- Manchester: As of May 2023, the BLS reported a median salary of $54,370 for substance abuse counselors in Manchester. Less experienced counselors earned about $38,960 during this time, while the top counselors earned about $80,780.
- Dover: According to the BLS, substance abuse counselors in Dover earned a median salary of $43,070 as of May 2023. Those with less experience earned around $33,310, while more experienced counselors earned about $73,630.
Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in New Hampshire
New Hampshire colleges and universities offer a variety of degree programs that meet the requirements for substance abuse counselor certification. For example, the University of New Hampshire offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Addiction Studies, providing relevant coursework in substance abuse counseling. Additionally, Southern New Hampshire University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a concentration in Substance Abuse, which prepares students for a career in counseling individuals struggling with addiction.
These degree programs ensure that you meet the educational requirements for certification and are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to make a significant impact in the field. Pursuing a degree in human services, psychology, or a related field provides a solid foundation in addiction studies, counseling techniques, and ethical practices, preparing you to support individuals on their path to recovery.
By obtaining a substance abuse counselor degree in New Hampshire, you will be well-prepared to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and contribute to the overall well-being of your community.
Nashua Community College
Accreditation: NECHE
Campus
Undergraduate Certificates
- Addiction Recovery Support Worker Certificate
Associate Degrees
- AS in Human Services with an Addiction Recovery Support Worker Certificate included
NHTI-Concord’s Community College
Social, Educational, and Behavioral Sciences
Accreditation: NECHE
Online
Undergraduate Certificates
- Substance Use Disorder Treatment Certificate
Associate Degrees
- AS in Addiction Counseling
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.