How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Alabama

Alabama is grappling with a devastating substance abuse crisis. The state has witnessed a harrowing surge in drug overdose deaths, increasing by more than 100% from 2014 to 2020. In 2022, Alabama reported nearly 22 overdose deaths per 100,000 people, underscoring the pervasive and escalating nature of the epidemic.

The problem is particularly severe in rural areas, where access to treatment facilities and support services is often limited. For almost a generation, prescription opioids and methamphetamines have been ravaging small town communities and the core of major metros throughout the state. Today it’s illicitly-manufactured street-grade versions of the synthetic opioid fentanyl that’s leaving a path of widespread devastation across the state. Families are being torn apart, and communities are struggling to cope with the fallout. The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that the state’s overdose death rate continues to climb, driven largely by the proliferation of the powerful synthetic opioid.

In the face of this crisis, the demand for qualified substance abuse counselors has never been greater. These dedicated professionals are on the front lines, working tirelessly to provide the support and treatment necessary to combat addiction. Whether it’s through state-run programs, local clinics, or community outreach initiatives, substance abuse counselors play a critical role in helping individuals reclaim their lives.

Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Alabama

In Alabama, you have your pick of two credentialing options as a substance abuse counselor:

1. A local professional association that offers credentials recognized in the state

2. A state affiliate of the national professional association, NAADAC – The Association for Addiction Professionals that offers state-recognized certification in line with the NAADAC’s national standards

Separately, you have a state government agency, The Alabama Department of Mental Health Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ADMHSA) that offers a level of recognition to those who earn certification from, either one of the above-mentioned organizations.

Your first step is to decide which professional association you’d like to earn your certification through. Your decision will be based on whether you you’d prefer a credential aligned with nationally-recognized standards that would better allow for interstate mobility and the ability to offer counseling services online to people in other parts of the country. Both are recognized and respected within the state of Alabama:

Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC)
Associate Addiction Professional (AAP)
Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AAP)
Certified Adolescent Alcohol & Drug Abuse Professional (CAADP)
Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)

As you meet the credentialing requirements for one of these agencies, you’ll have the option of earning QSAP (Qualified Substance Abuse Professional) recognition through The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH). This is the state government agency that provides oversight, support, and advocacy for the mental health and substance abuse professional community in Alabama.

The QSAP I, II, and III levels are not official certifications, but milestones used by ADMH to measure a counselor’s progress and expertise. Achieving these milestones can enhance career opportunities and professional development for substance abuse counselors in Alabama.

In this guide, we will focus on the steps to becoming a Qualified Substance Abuse Professional II (QSAP II) by earning CAC (Certified Addiction Counselor) certification through the local NAADAC affiliate (Alabama Association of Addiction Counselors Certification Board). Earning the Alabama CAC credential by way of a bachelor’s degree makes it a close equivalent to the NAADAC’s NCAC-II certification.

As substance abuse counseling professional communities around the country embrace better alignment in practice standards from state to state, and as counselors more often offer services online to clients outside their local jurisdiction, we feel certification more closely aligned with national standards provides the best preparation for today’s counselors.

Not only will this guide walk you through earning the least-restrictive credential that aligns with common national standards, it will show you how to achieve full state-level recognition of that credential by earning QSAP recognition through the Alabama Department of Mental Health Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ADMHSA).

Here’s the steps you’ll take to earn your CAC credential and state-level QSAP II recognition.

1. Earn a Bachelor’s or Higher Degree in a Relevant Field

2. Complete a Period of Supervised Training and On-the-Job Experience

3. Take the Oral and Written Exam to Qualify for CAC Certification

4. Apply for CAC Certification and QSAP II Recognition

This guide breaks the process down into easy-to-follow steps, ensuring you have all the information you need to get started.

1. Earn a Bachelor’s or Higher Degree in a Relevant Field

To start your journey towards becoming a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) recognized as a Qualified Substance Abuse Professional II (QSAP II) in Alabama, you’ll need a bachelor’s or higher degree from a nationally or regionally accredited university or college.

It’s possible to qualify for CAC certification with an associate degree or even a high school diploma, but that would disqualify you from being eligible for QSAP recognition. The bachelor’s will also reduce the number of additional training hours required (discussed in the next step) by nearly a third. Most importantly, though, is the fact that earning a bachelor’s or higher degree will offer you the best possible preparation for counseling clients and helping them achieve wellness and lasting sobriety.

Naturally, your degree major should be in substance use disorder counseling or addiction studies, or an aligned behavioral health or human services field such as psychology, social work, community rehabilitation, family therapy, or similar major that requires equivalent clinical coursework.

This educational foundation is crucial as it equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively diagnose and treat substance use disorders.

2. Complete a Period of Supervised Training and On-the-Job Experience

The next step to qualifying for CAC certification through the Alabama Association of Addiction Counselors Certification Board (AAACCB) and QSAP II recognition through the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) is to complete a period of supervised training and gain on-the-job experience in substance use disorder treatment and case management.

It’s common for employers throughout Alabama to hire certification candidates. Since you can’t become certified in Alabama without at least two years of experience, this is a routine process here. The end result is a win-win situation where new hires get the supervised training and guidance they need to learn the ropes and become eligible for state certification and QSAP recognition, while employers end up with fully credentialed counselors familiar with the organization’s culture, clients, and processes.

The AAACCB outlines specific requirements for this period of on-the-job training and experience:

You must have a minimum of two full years of work experience in the substance use disorder treatment field. If working full-time (32-40 hours per week), you’ll be able to complete your experience requirements in the two-year period. On a part-time basis (20 hours per week), it would take four years. All experience must be completed within a five-year period prior to applying for the CAC credential.
Additionally, you need to document 270 hours of training (if you don’t hold a bachelor’s) or only 170 if you have a bachelor’s, including an initial 70 hours specifically in substance use disorder-related training. These Continuing Education Units (CEUs) can be earned through AAACCB or NAADAC approved providers by way of online training institutes, seminars, conferences and workshops. This must include at least 6 hours each of Ethics and HIV/AIDS training. At least 25% of the training must be in-person or through live streaming webinars.

By fulfilling these supervised training and on-the-job experience requirements, you will develop the practical skills and knowledge necessary to effectively provide substance abuse counseling and meet the criteria for both CAC certification and QSAP II recognition.

3. Take the Oral and Written Exam to Qualify for CAC Certification

After completing your supervised training and on-the-job experience, the next step towards earning your CAC credential and becoming a Qualified Substance Abuse Professional II (QSAP II) in Alabama is to take and pass the required exams. Upon meeting eligibility criteria, your employer will help facilitate the exam application process.

To achieve the CAC certification, you must pass both an oral and a written examination administered by Professional Testing Corporation.

Oral Exam:
- The oral exam evaluates your practical knowledge and skills in substance abuse counseling. The cost for the oral exam is $150, payable to AAACCB.
Written Exam:
- After successfully passing the oral exam, you will be eligible to take the written examination administered by the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC). The written exam costs $160 and assesses your theoretical knowledge in areas such as addiction theory, counseling techniques, and ethical standards.

By passing these exams, you will be one step closer to achieving the CAC certification and advancing your career as a Qualified Substance Abuse Professional II in Alabama.

4. Apply to Become a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC)

The last step in your journey is to submit all your application material. Start by downloading your application for State Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) certification through the Alabama Association of Addiction Counselors Certification Board (AAACCB).

Your application material will include:

Proof of a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as psychology, social work, community rehabilitation, pastoral counseling, family therapy, or another behavioral health area that requires equivalent clinical coursework
Evidence of two years of full-time SUD work experience (or equivalent part-time experience), and 270 hours of relevant training obtained within the last five years (170 hours when qualifying with a bachelor’s degree).
Evidence of 70 hours of SUD-specific training with required ethics and HIV/pathogens education, and supervisor verification of your work experience based on the twelve core functions.
$150 non-refundable application fee and completed application form

The AAACCB will review your application and the required materials. If everything looks good, they will issue you the State Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) certificate.

Since Qualified Substance Abuse Professional II (QSAP II) is a level of recognition rather than an official credential, there isn’t an individual application process for you to follow through the Alabama Department of Mental Health Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ADMHSA). Instead, your employer will submit an Application for Substance Use Disorder Performing Provider Medicaid Eligibility on your behalf.

With More Experience Comes Advanced Certification Options

A higher degree and more experience in the substance abuse counseling field open doors to advanced job opportunities, higher pay, and the ability to make a greater impact in your community. In Alabama, you have the option of advancing your QSAP II recognition to QSAP I if you choose to pursue a higher-level professional license through the Alabama Department of Mental Health or other medical or healthcare licensing division. Any of these licenses would meet that eligibility standard: LPC, LICSW, LMSW, Psychiatric CRNP, LMFT, Psychologist, PA, MD, DO. For most people in the substance use disorder treatment field, a social work license would be the most natural path to this level of advancement. For that reason, we provide a high overview of LICSW requirements below.

Qualified Substance Abuse Professional I (QSAP I)

A QSAP I is a professional who provides assessment and evaluation services to individuals with substance abuse disorders. They may also provide counseling and case management services. To become a QSAP I in Alabama, you must meet the following requirements:

Have a master's degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university.
Have at least four years of post-master's experience in the field of substance abuse.
Be recognized as a Qualified Substance Abuse Professional (QSAP) through the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
Complete at least 40 hours of continuing education in the field of substance abuse every two years.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

An LICSW is a social worker who is licensed to provide clinical social work services independently. To become an LICSW in Alabama, you must meet the following requirements:

Have a master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university.
Have at least three years of post-master's experience in clinical social work.
Pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical examination.
Complete at least 30 hours of continuing education in social work every two years.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Huntsville, Birmingham, and Throughout Alabama

Alabama offers a variety of settings where substance abuse counselors can make a meaningful impact. In Birmingham, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Medicine provides comprehensive addiction treatment programs, including outpatient and inpatient services. In Huntsville, Wellstone Inc. offers a range of behavioral health services including addiction treatment and crisis intervention.

Other notable facilities in Alabama include:

New Season Treatment Centers: With multiple locations throughout the state, New Season provides a variety of addiction treatment programs and services.
Alethia House: Providing a continuum of care for individuals struggling with addiction, Alethia House offers residential treatment, outpatient services, and recovery support.
Alethia House: Providing a continuum of care for individuals struggling with addiction, Alethia House offers residential treatment, outpatient services, and recovery support.
Phoenix House Mid-South: With a focus on evidence-based practices, Phoenix House offers comprehensive addiction treatment services tailored to individual needs.

As a substance abuse counselor in Alabama, you will be at the forefront of helping individuals and families overcome addiction, contributing to healthier communities throughout the state. With a variety of job settings and a strong demand for services, this is a rewarding career path for those committed to making a difference.

Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Huntsville, Birmingham, and Throughout Alabama

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse counselors in Alabama earned a median salary of $44,890 as of May 2023. Entry-level professionals in this field earned approximately $30,090 annually, while highly experienced substance abuse counselors earned $70,010 or more.

Huntsville: As of May 2023, the BLS reported a median salary of $47,810 for substance abuse counselors in Huntsville. Top earning counselors earned $74,600 or more.
Birmingham: According to the BLS, substance abuse counselors in Birmingham earned a median salary of $45,750 as of May 2023. Those with less experience earned around $33,070, while the most experienced counselors earned $71,200 or more.

Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Alabama

Alabama provides various educational paths for those aspiring to become substance abuse counselors, including undergraduate and graduate degrees. For those pursuing the bachelor’s-level credentials discussed in this guide, the University of Alabama offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Addiction and Recovery, focusing on addiction science, recovery, and counseling practices.

For those seeking advanced study, the University of West Alabama provides a Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Addiction Counseling, preparing graduates for clinical practice. Additionally, online programs like Capella University’s Master of Science in Addiction Counseling and Purdue Global University’s bachelor’s and master’s programs in Human Services with relevant specializations offer flexibility for those balancing other commitments.

Gadsden State Community College

Accreditation: SACSCOC
Campus

Associate Degrees

2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. Job growth projections 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 July 2024.