You can become a substance abuse counselor in Michigan through CADC certification, which requires 300 hours of education and 6,000 hours of supervised experience. A degree significantly reduces requirements. Bachelor’s holders need only 200 training hours and 4,000 experience hours instead of 6,000.
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The drug epidemic in Michigan has reached a fevered pitch, claiming 3,000 lives in 2022, according to CDC data. Opioids were the major cause of overdoses here, responsible for about 80 percent of all deaths during this time.
A life is lost every four hours to drug overdose in Michigan. Let that sink in.
The brutality of Michigan’s drug epidemic, now largely fueled by fentanyl, is most acute in areas like Detroit’s east side. This is a place where overdose deaths are among the highest in the state and where those affected by substance use disorder are now openly using and even sleeping along the very same streets they grew up on.
How the Recovery Mobile Clinic Brings Services to the Most Neglected Pockets of Detroit
The harm reduction model, once a controversial policy, is continuing to gain traction in both Michigan and across the nation. Maybe you’ve seen the billboards popping up in neighborhoods like Belmont in Detroit and Baxter in Grand Rapids or have overheard, or have been a part of, public discussion on the topic. Providing those afflicted by drug addiction with resources and services to simply help keep them safe and alive until they’re ready to seek drug treatment has become an important part of Michigan’s strategy to lower drug overdose fatalities.
In metro Detroit, nonprofits and other advocates aren’t just providing harm reduction resources. They’re taking them to the streets. Community centers are important, but many advocates also realize that bringing the resources directly to those in need is vital.
One such program is the Recovery Mobile Clinic, a nonprofit that deploys RVs to communities throughout the region to provide much-needed medical care and harm reduction resources to those in need. Started in 2020 by nurse practitioner Jordana Latozas, the Recovery Mobile Clinic is essentially a “mobile addiction clinic” that brings care directly to the people. According to Latozas, they’re reaching out to patients who are “struggling the most” and often fall through the cracks of traditional medical care.
The Recovery Mobile Clinic never turns people away for their inability to pay. Fundraisers and crowdfunding events help support their efforts.
It’s clear, the situation is dire, and there’s no time to waste. But even in the depths of an epidemic, there’s hope for a brighter future in Michigan.
At any given time here, you’ll find nonprofit volunteers pounding the pavement, handing out life-saving harm reduction supplies. You’ll find state and local agencies making concrete plans to allocate the $1.5 billion the state will receive over the next 18 years as part of the national opioid settlement toward substance abuse programs and resources. And you’ll find substance abuse counseling professionals helping people navigate a personal path to recovery.
The drug crisis in Michigan requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, and Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselors (CADC) are at the heart of the state’s efforts to help those in need and the people who love them find life-saving treatment.
Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Michigan
The Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) is the agency responsible for certifying substance abuse counselors in Michigan. There are three levels of certification in the substance abuse counseling field:
- Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC)
- Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC): Master’s-level certification
- Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS): Master’s-level certification
In this guide, we’ve detailed the steps to becoming a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC), the standard entry-level credential for anybody joining the field. We’ve also detailed how to advance beyond that by becoming a CAADC and CCS in the section you’ll find below under Advanced Certification Options.
You’ll take four major steps to become a CADC in Michigan:
1. Complete a Certificate Program Consisting of 300 Hours of Education and 300 Hours of Supervised Training
2. Complete 6,000 Hours of Supervised Counseling Experience
3. Take and Pass the IC&RC ADC Exam
4. Apply to Become a CADC Through the Michigan Certification Board of Addiction Professionals (MCBAP)
We’ve taken all the information you’ll need to know about the credentialing process in Michigan, breaking it down into easy-to-follow steps.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Michigan?
The timeline to certification depends on your education level:
- Non-Degree Path: 3-4 years (300 hours education + 300 hours training + 6,000 hours experience, approximately 3 years full-time)
- With an Associate’s Degree: 2-3 years (reduced to 5,000 experience hours)
- With Bachelor’s Degree: 2 years (reduced to 4,000 experience hours)
- With Master’s Degree: 1-2 years (only 2,000 experience hours required for CAADC)
1. Complete a Certificate Program Consisting of 300 Hours of Education and 300 Hours of Supervised Training
(Or earn a degree and complete just 200 hours of training!)
The first order of business if you want to become a substance abuse counselor in Michigan is to complete at least 300 total hours of education. This includes 180 hours specific to SUD and six hours in ethics. There are a number of schools in Michigan that offer certificate programs that satisfy these exact requirements for CADC certification.
If you are qualifying for CADC certification without a degree, you’ll need to complete at least 300 hours of supervised field training.
You also have the option of completing these education and supervised training hour requirements by earning an associate degree or higher in a field related to substance use disorder counseling. And consider this: Every college credit you earn is equivalent to 15 contact hours counted toward the 300-hour supervised training requirement.
That means if you are qualifying with an associate degree or higher in an approved discipline, you’ll only need to complete 250 hours of supervised experience, and with a bachelor’s degree it’s only 200. Your degree will include a period of supervised training (practicum) that’s conducted by a qualified SUD professional, which will cover those 200 hours.
The MCBAP recognizes the following areas of study:
- Associate or bachelor’s degree: counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, marriage and family therapy, family studies, sociology, human services, criminal justice, public health, nursing, or social science
- Master’s degree: Counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, marriage and family therapy, or criminal justice
Though the MCBAP doesn’t require a formal degree to become a substance counselor in Michigan, many aspiring substance abuse counselors choose to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field. This approach not only likely satisfies the 300-hour education requirement, but it also includes a practicum that satisfies the supervised experience requirement.
Plus, most colleges and universities help students connect with local employers where they can complete their practicum and also begin accruing the required experience hours needed for CADC certification. In short, a degree in addiction counseling or a related field will often facilitate the process of earning the required education and experience.
The MCBAP maintains a list of Michigan schools that offer certificate and degree programs in addiction counseling.
Degree vs. Non-Degree Path Comparison
| Requirement | No Degree | Associate’s | Bachelor’s | Master’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Hours | 300 | Satisfied by degree | Satisfied by degree | Satisfied by degree |
| Training Hours | 300 | 250 | 200 | 100 (CAADC) |
| Experience Hours | 6,000 | 5,000 | 4,000 | 2,000 (CAADC) |
| Typical Timeline | 3-4 years | 2-3 years | 2 years | 1-2 years |
2. Complete 6,000 Hours of Supervised Counseling Experience
(Or fewer by earning a degree!)
Once you’ve completed your education and a period of supervised training, it’s time to begin putting your new skills to use and accruing the experience hours you’ll need for certification.
If you qualify for CADC certification without an associate degree or higher, you’ll need to complete at least 6,000 hours (about three years) of experience in SUD counseling.
If you’re qualifying for CADC certification with an associate’s degree or higher, you’ll enjoy a reduced number of required experience hours:
- Associate’s degree: 5,000 hours of experience
- Bachelor’s degree: 4,000 hours of experience
- Master’s degree or higher: 2,000 hours of experience
3. Take and Pass the IC&RC ADC Exam
You must take and pass the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC) exam to earn certification as a CADC in Michigan.
You’ll register and pay for the exam with the MCBAP. Once you’re registered, you’ll receive a notice from SMT NOTICE, the testing company, with information on how to set up the location, date, and time of your CADC exam. There are 13 approved testing sites located throughout Michigan. Allow for up to six weeks to apply and secure a test appointment.
4. Apply to Become a CADC Through the Michigan Certification Board of Addiction Professional (MCBAP)
All applications are completed online through the Certemy system, which is accessible on the MCBAP site.
You’ll renew your certification for either two or three years, the choice is yours. You’ll choose either a two- or three-year renewal period when you apply for certification for the first time. If you renew every two years, you’ll need to complete at least 40 hours of continuing education. If you renew every three years, you’ll need to complete at least 60 hours of continuing education.
Advanced Certification Options
The MCBAP offers two options aligned with International Certification & Reciprocity (IC&RC) standards that allow you to step up to higher license levels as you progress through your substance abuse counseling career in Michigan.
Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC)
Requirements:
- Master’s degree or higher in counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, art therapy, or marriage and family therapy
- 2,000 hours of SUD counseling experience
- 186 hours of SUD-specific education (must include at least six hours in ethics)
- 100 hours of post-master’s supervised training in the IC&RC domains
- IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) exam
Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
Requirements:
- Master’s degree or higher in counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, or marriage and family therapy
- 30 education hours, of which must be in the specific IC&RC performance domains
- 6,000 hours of SUD counseling experience, 4,000 of which must be clinical supervisor experience
- Must be a current CADC or CAADC
- 100 hours of post-master’s supervised training in the IC&RC domains
- IC&RC Clinical Supervisor (CCS) exam
Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Michigan
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), opioid overdose deaths continue to plague Michigan, highlighting the need for professionals in substance abuse counseling. Between October 2022 and September 2023, the national opioid overdose death rate was 23.3 deaths per 100,000 people.
In many parts of Michigan, overdose death rates far surpassed the national rate during this time:
- Wayne County (Detroit): 58.5 deaths per 100,000 people
- Genesee County (Flint): 55.2 deaths per 100,000 people
- Muskegon County: 47.6 deaths per 100,000 people
- Manistee County: 47.5 deaths per 100,000 people
- Ingham County (Lansing): 45.8 deaths per 100,000 people
- Berrien County (Niles): 37.9 deaths per 100,000 people
- Saginaw County: 34.5 deaths per 100,000 people
Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Throughout Michigan
Substance abuse counselor jobs in Michigan range from major hospital operations to community centers to private inpatient and outpatient facilities and beyond.
In Detroit, nonprofits like the Detroit Recovery Project provide recovery support services for both the east and west sides of the city. Private facilities like the Henry Ford Maplegrove Center offer 24-hour residential care, detox, medication-assisted treatment, individual and group therapy, and more. Community programs like the New Light Recovery Center offer outpatient programs and methadone-maintenance treatment.
In Grand Rapids, substance abuse counselors are lending their talents to facilities like Recovery Road, which offers sober living houses for both men and women, and Our Hope Association, which offers long-term residential treatment and counseling services to women recovering from addiction.
Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Lansing, and Throughout Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse counselors in Michigan earned a median salary of $56,160 as of May 2023. Early career professionals here earned about $39,310 during this time, while those with advanced credentials and extensive experience earned about $82,540.
The BLS reported that Lansing’s substance abuse counselors earned the highest median salary in the state:
- Ann Arbor: $59,860 (median), $82,540 (90th percentile)
- Detroit (includes Warren and Dearborn): $50,370 (median), $95,450 (90th percentile)
- Flint: $49,000 (median), $90,320 (90th percentile)
- Lansing: $64,580 (median), $84,040 (90th percentile)
For more comprehensive salary information, see our complete substance abuse counselor salary guide.
Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Michigan
Michigan is home to quite a few degree and certificate programs designed specifically to prepare substance abuse counselors for certification at every level. A large number of schools like Mott Community College and Grand Rapids Community College offer certificate programs in addiction studies.
Many schools here also offer full undergraduate degree programs in substance abuse counseling. At the associate level, Lake Superior State University offers an Associate’s in Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment. At the bachelor’s level, the University of Detroit Mercy offers a BS in Addiction Studies.
A number of schools also offer opportunities for career changers. Western Michigan University offers a post-bachelor’s Clinical Addiction Certificate.
Many Michigan programs offer online or hybrid formats for working professionals, including options from Central Michigan University, Mott Community College, University of Detroit Mercy, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University.
Central Michigan University
College of Education and Human Services
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Online
Bachelor’s Degrees
- Minor in Substance Use Disorders
Master’s Degrees
- MA in Counseling-Addiction Counseling concentration
Grand Rapids Community College
Accreditation: HLC
Campus
Undergraduate Certificates
- Addiction Studies Certificate
Lake Superior State University
School of Kinesiology and Behavioral Sciences
Accreditation: HLC
Campus
Associate Degrees
- Associate’s in Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Bachelor’s Degrees
- Minor in Substance Abuse Counseling
Mott Community College
Fine Arts and Social Science Division
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Online
Undergraduate Certificates
- Substance Abuse Services Certificate
University of Detroit Mercy
College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Online
Bachelor’s Degrees
- BS in Addiction Studies
Wayne County Community College
Accreditation: HLC
Campus
Undergraduate Certificates
- Addiction Studies College Certificate
Wayne State University
School of Social Work
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Online
Master’s Degrees
- MSW with a Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Use Studies
Graduate Certificates
- Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Use Studies (campus only)
Western Michigan University
College of Health and Human Services
Accreditation: HLC
Hybrid, Online
Graduate Certificates
- Clinical Addiction Certificate (Graduate level)
- Addiction Specialization (Graduate level, can be added to graduate degree programs in counselor education and counseling psychology, occupational therapy, psychology, public health, biological sciences, social work, sociology, or other related disciplines; can also be stand-alone to fulfill continuing education requirements for licenses)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a degree to become a substance abuse counselor in Michigan?
No, you don’t need a degree to become a substance abuse counselor in Michigan. You can qualify for CADC certification with 300 hours of education from a certificate program and 6,000 hours of supervised experience. That said, earning a degree significantly reduces requirements. Bachelor’s degree holders only need 200 training hours and 4,000 experience hours.
How long does it take to get CADC certification in Michigan?
The timeline depends on your education level. Without a degree, expect 3-4 years to complete 300 hours of education, 300 hours of training, and 6,000 hours of experience. With a bachelor’s degree, the timeline drops to about 2 years since you only need 200 training hours and 4,000 experience hours.
Can I work as a substance abuse counselor in other states with a Michigan certification?
Yes, Michigan’s CADC is an IC&RC credential, which means it may be recognized in other IC&RC member states through reciprocity agreements. The specific requirements vary by state, so you’ll need to check with the certification board in the state where you want to practice. Most IC&RC states have pathways to transfer or recognize credentials from other member boards.
What’s the difference between CADC and CAADC?
CADC is the entry-level certification requiring 300 hours of education and 6,000 hours of experience (or less with a degree). CAADC is the advanced certification that requires a master’s degree, only 2,000 experience hours, 186 hours of SUD-specific education, 100 hours of post-master’s supervised training, and passing the IC&RC AADC exam. CAADC opens doors to higher-level positions and better pay.
How much do substance abuse counselors make in Michigan?
According to BLS data from May 2023, substance abuse counselors in Michigan earn a median salary of $56,160. Entry-level counselors earn around $39,310, while experienced counselors with advanced credentials can earn $82,540 or more. Lansing offers the highest median salary at $64,580, while Detroit area 90th percentile earners make up to $95,450.
Are there online substance abuse counselor programs in Michigan?
Yes, several Michigan schools offer online or hybrid options for substance abuse counselor programs. Central Michigan University, Mott Community College, University of Detroit Mercy, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University all offer online program formats that can help you meet CADC certification requirements while maintaining your current work schedule.
What does the IC&RC ADC exam cost?
Exam fees are set by the MCBAP and can change. You’ll register and pay for the exam directly through the MCBAP website. Contact MCBAP directly or visit their exam registration page for current pricing information. Plan to allow up to six weeks to apply and secure a test appointment at one of Michigan’s 13 approved testing sites.
Key Takeaways
- Michigan offers three certification levels: CADC (entry-level), CAADC (master’s-level), and CCS (clinical supervisor)
- You don’t need a degree for CADC, but a bachelor’s degree reduces the requirements from 6,000 to 4,000 experience hours
- The typical timeline is 3-4 years without a degree, 2 years with a bachelor’s degree
- Lansing pays the highest median salary at $64,580, while Detroit area 90th percentile earners make up to $95,450
- Eight Michigan schools offer addiction counseling programs, many with online options
- Michigan’s CADC is an IC&RC credential recognized through reciprocity in many other states
Ready to Start Your Substance Abuse Counseling Career?
Explore Michigan’s degree programs and certificate options to find the path that fits your goals. Compare associate, bachelor’s, and master’s programs to see which reduces your certification timeline and costs the most.
Explore Degree Options2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2025.
