Education

  Quick Answer Addiction studies degrees focus on research, policy, and systems-level understanding of addiction, preparing graduates for careers in public health, program administration, and academia. Substance abuse counseling degrees emphasize clinical practice skills and direct client work, leading to careers as licensed counselors in treatment settings. Choose addiction studies for research and policy roles, […]

What every substance abuse counselor needs to know about evolving certification requirements in the fentanyl era Quick Answer The fentanyl crisis has prompted federal and state governments to update substance abuse counselor certification requirements. The Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act now requires eight hours of opioid treatment training, while states are adding fentanyl-specific

Quick Answer The best substance abuse counseling internship programs achieve 88-100% job placement rates (typically within 6 months of graduation, based on recent cohort data) by combining typically 600-1000+ supervised clinical hours with exam preparation and employer connections. Top programs include UNC Charlotte (100% first-attempt licensure pass rate maintained over 10+ years), Texas Tech (92.8%

Quick Answer At the 10-year mark, associate’s degree programs often show higher return on investment than bachelor’s programs, mainly because they cost less and graduates begin working earlier. Over a 30 to 40-year career, bachelor’s degrees tend to lead to higher lifetime earnings and more leadership opportunities. Many counselors find success with a hybrid approach:

Quick Answer Accelerated substance abuse counseling degrees range from 30-credit master’s programs (12-18 months) to 62-credit bachelor’s completion programs (1.5-2 years for those with prior college credits). The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff offers one of the fastest master’s options at 27 credits, while SUNY Brockport provides a 62-credit bachelor’s completion track for students with

Quick Answer Yes, many colleges award credit for recovery experience through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) programs. You can potentially earn 15-30 credits by documenting knowledge gained through treatment programs, peer support work, recovery coaching, and formal addiction training. This can save you thousands of dollars and months on your path to becoming a substance abuse

Quick Answer Polysubstance abuse involves using multiple drugs simultaneously or sequentially, creating heightened risks of overdose and adverse reactions. Counselors gain training through formal SUD degree programs, continuing education courses offering CEUs, and supervised clinical practice with experienced mentors who understand regional trends in drug combinations. Table of Contents Understanding the Polysubstance Crisis Why Polysubstance