How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Mississippi

Written by Sam Medley

In 2021, America’s opioid crisis had an unexpected and devastating resurgence. Many of the hardest-hit states were in the south. That year, West Virginia’s overdose death rate was the highest in the nation at 90.9 out of every 100,000 people. Kentucky, Tennessee, and Louisiana weren’t too far behind.

However, while opioid overdose deaths in Mississippi sharply increased in 2021, the state wasn’t hit as hard as many of its neighbors. At 28.4 for every 100,000, the Magnolia State’s overdose death rate was the 32nd highest in the nation. But unfortunately, Mississippi had and still has another equally worrisome problem to deal with.

According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, 70 out of Missippi’s 82 counties are in mental health provider shortage areas. This means an estimated 911,000 residents don’t have quick or easy access to therapists, social workers, substance use disorder counselors, and other behavioral health professionals. Without a strong mental health workforce, Mississippi is at risk for joining its neighbors at the top of America’s overdose rankings.

If you’d like to keep that from happening, becoming a substance abuse counselor in Mississippi could very well be your calling. In this guide, we’ll discuss how you can start your journey and what your career might look like.

Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Mississippi

To become a substance abuse counselor in Mississippi, you don’t have to follow one particular path. The state government offers a Certified Addiction Therapist (CAT) certification, but this credential is specifically designed for professionals working in government-run or funded agencies who don’t already hold another certification. Otherwise, the state doesn’t require substance use disorder counselors to hold any specific license or certification.

1. Fulfill Education Requirements

2. Complete 8,000 Work Experience Hours

3. Complete 200 Hours of Supervised Practical Training

4. Complete a Written Case Study

5. Submit a CADC-I Application

6. Pass the IC&RC’s Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Exam

If you’re looking to earn a credential that employers and professionals across the state will recognize, becoming a substance abuse counselor through the Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals (MAAP) can be a great option.

The MAAP has been training and certifying substance use disorder professionals in Mississippi since 1983. As a member of the International Credentialing and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), the MAAP’s credentials are recognized in many other states, as well.

They offer five levels of counselor certification:

In this guide, we’ll focus on how to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor-I. CADC-I’s are trained to help people through every stage of the recovery process. They’re also experts in assessment, treatment planning, and completing other duties that make them essential members of any recovery team.

Step 1: Fulfill Education Requirements

To become a CADC-I in Mississippi, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree in a field related to substance abuse counseling. This degree should come from a college or university that holds standard accreditation recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the United States Department of Education. This level of basic accreditation applies to every college or university operating in the US that’s eligible for funding from Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs, so you’d be hard pressed to find a school in Mississippi or anywhere else that doesn’t meet that bar.

The MAAP doesn’t list specific types of degrees, but related fields generally include:

No matter what kind of degree you pursue, you’ll need to complete 270 education hours related to the four domains of substance use disorder counseling. The four domains are:

Screening, assessment, and engagement.
Counseling.
Treatment planning, collaboration, and referral.
Professional and ethical duties.

You’ll also need to take six hours of ethics courses including the Mississippi Addiction Counselor Training (MACT) Ethics class offered by the MAAP. Additionally, you’ll need to take six hours of courses about HIV and AIDS.

Ways to Earn Education Hours

Many of the college classes you take as part of your degree program will likely count towards your 270-hour requirement. Generally, one semester hour of class counts for 15 hours towards the education requirement. College courses are typically worth two or three semester hours, meaning one class can count for 30 for 45 education hours.

However, if you can’t earn all 270 hours through your college degree program, the MAAP says you can also earn hours by completing:

One hour spent completing these types of training counts for one hour towards your 270-hour requirement. Keep in mind that at least 50% of your hours should be earned through direct contact education (classes, workshops, and seminars). You can only earn a maximum of 50% of your hours through employer in-service training and online or home study courses.

You can find information about training events on the MAAP’s education webpage and their MACT Program webpage. If you’re unsure if a training session offered through another agency will count, you can reach out to the MAAP for guidance.

Step 2: Complete 8,000 Work Experience Hours

One of the most important parts of becoming a CADC-I in Mississippi is learning about the issues your clients face on a daily basis. Because of that, the MAAP requires applicants to complete 8,000 supervised work experience hours before earning their credentials. This is roughly equivalent to working for 40 hours a week for four years.

Any supervised work done in service of people battling substance use disorders counts. This can include paid work, volunteering, or completing an internship. Your supervisor will be someone you report to at work such as a manager or a more experienced behavioral health professional.

The Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals requires that your work experience nvolve the four domains of substance use disorder counseling and the 12 core functions of counselors. Core functions are closely related to the four domains but are more focused on specific day-to-day duties.

The 12 core functions are:

Screening.
Intake.
Orientation.
Assessment.
Treatment Planning.
Individual, family, and group counseling.
Case management.
Crisis intervention.
Client education.
Referrals.
Recordkeeping and reporting.
Consultation with other professionals.

During this time, you’ll likely help more experienced counselors carry out their duties in an entry-level role. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to earn these hours after getting your bachelor’s degree. Many CADC-I applicants earn work experience hours while they go to school.

Employers here in Mississippi routinely hire certification candidates, even before graduation. It’s a great arrangement for all parties. Certification candidates get the training they need with an established employer while earning a paycheck, and employers get the benefit of counselors trained to the exact standards, processes, and client types the employer specializes in working with.

Step 3: Complete 200 Hours of Supervised Practical Training

While gaining general work experience can be a great introduction to the field, you’ll also need to learn how to apply advanced counseling theories to your everyday duties. Over the course of 200 supervised practical training hours, that’s exactly what you’ll do.

The MAAP classifies supervised practical training hours as hours spent working on the four domains under the direct supervision of a credentialed professional. You’ll need to spend at least 10 hours working on each of the domains.

Because your supervisor will be responsible for guiding you, giving you feedback, and helping you hone a very specialized skill set, the MAAP says your supervisor should be someone who’s certified at the same level you’re working towards or higher for at least six months. This means your supervisor can be a:

If you have a supervisor in mind who doesn’t hold one of these credentials, they can still be your supervisor. However, they must be approved by the MAAP first and submit an application outlining their experience and expertise.

Step 4: Complete a Written Case Study

To help you prepare for the exam you’ll take later in the process, you’ll complete a written case study on a client you’ve served. This person should have completed treatment or not be seeking treatment from your organization anymore. To preserve client confidentiality, you can use a fake name on this report.

Your case study should demonstrate your knowledge of the 12 core functions and the 46 Global Criteria. Global Criteria are smaller, more basic skills required to carry out the 12 core functions. For example, to assess clients, counselors must first identify an appropriate assessment system, explain to their clients why the system is meaningful, and know how to use different types of assessments together.

In addition to demonstrating your counseling skills, your case study should follow the 11-section format given by the MAAP. Sections cover your client’s:

Substance use disorder history.
Psychological functioning including previous psychiatric diagnoses.
Educational, vocational, and financial status.
Legal history.
Family and personal history (relationships, childhood, etc.).
Physical history including medical issues.
Treatment history.
Strengths and weaknesses as they pertain to their treatment.
Treatment plan.
Progress throughout treatment including any changes you made to their plan.
Discharge summary.

Your case study can be submitted with your application. Your supervisor will review and sign off on your study and can help you with any questions you may have.

Step 5: Submit a CADC-I Application

Once you’ve completed all previous steps, you’re ready to fill out the MAAP’s CADC-I application. If you’re not already a member of the MAAP, the application fee is $190. If you are, the fee is $130.

On the CADC-I application, you’ll be asked to include:

Basic personal information.
Contact details for three references who aren’t your supervisor. This can include coworkers and other people who can attest to your professional skills. You’ll need to have your references fill out small forms about themselves and their experiences working with you.
A 300-word summary of your counseling philosophy and what techniques you use.
Details about your supervised work experience including job title, job description, and information about your supervisor.
Details about your education hours. You’ll also need to submit official college transcripts and certificates of completion from any other training you completed.
A Supervised Practical Training Verification form. Your supervisor will fill out this section and include a detailed evaluation.
A copy of your written case study.
A signed copy of the MAAP’s Ethical Standards of Certified Professionals.

The MAAP doesn’t say how long it typically takes to process applications, but their Certification Examining Board meets at least once every quarter. They schedule more meetings as needed. Once your application is approved, they’ll send you information about registering for the IC&RC’s Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam.

Step 6: Pass the IC&RC’s Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Exam

Administered by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, the ADC Exam is used by organizations across the country to certify new counselors. It’s made up of 150 multiple choice questions that’ll test your knowledge of the four domains and 12 functions of substance use disorder counselors. You’ll have three hours to complete it.

While this is a computer-based exam, you’ll likely have to take it at an approved testing site under the supervision of a proctor. The IC&RC currently partners with ISO-Quality Testing to administer the exam. ISO-Quality Testing lists sites in:

Available testing dates may depend on where you decide to take the exam. You can visit the IC&RC’s test prep database for books, candidate guides, and practice exams. The exam fee is $200 for MAAP members and $290 for non-members.

With a Master’s Degree and More Experience Comes Advanced Certification Options

After becoming a CADC-I in Mississippi, you’ll be equipped to help individuals, families, and entire communities through their struggles with substance use disorders. However, your career outlook doesn’t end there. By earning a master’s degree and learning more about evidence-based counseling, you can become a:

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II. CADC II’s are trained to handle more complex cases and often supervise other counselors. After earning a master’s degree and undergoing more advanced training, CADC-I’s can upgrade to this license.
Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. This is one of the highest certifications the MAAP offers. Due to their clinical training, CAADCs often hold high-level administration positions and oversee entire recovery programs.
Licensed Professional Counselor. Though not strictly focused on substance use disorders, LPCs can run their own independent practices, diagnose mental health disorders, and provide advanced forms of treatment. LPCs are licensed through a government board called the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Jackson, Gulfport, and Throughout Mississippi

If you’re looking for substance abuse counselor jobs in Mississippi, the capital of Jackson is a great place to start. As a statewide recovery hub, the city is home to Harbor House, a comprehensive recovery service provider founded in 1973, and Sober Living America, a nationwide network of residential recovery communities.

In Gulfport, you’ll find other large providers such as the Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, a provider that offers everything from partial hospitalization treatment to outpatient programs.

To find other substance abuse counselor job opportunities in Mississippi, you may want to investigate:

Baptist Memorial Health Care: a healthcare provider network with behavioral health clinics in New Albany, Pontotoc, Tupelo, Yazoo City, and Oxford.
The Mississippi Department of Mental Health: the state’s government mental health and substance use disorder provider. They work with local recovery service providers and operate Community Mental Health Centers across the state.
The Mississippi Harm Reduction Initiative: a nonprofit focused on providing services to and advocating for Mississippians battling substance use disorders.
Stand Up, Mississippi: a statewide, government-led initiative to educate communities about recovery and connect them with resources. They also maintain a database of treatment providers.

Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Jackson, Gulfport, and Throughout Mississippi

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for substance abuse counselors in Mississippi is $42,010 as of May 2023. New counselors often make closer to $29,640 while the highest-earning professionals can make $63,980 and up. Experience, education, and where you work may affect your salary expectations.

Jackson. In Jackson, the median salary for substance abuse counselors is $48,040 as of May 2023. While new counselors in the area often make around $31,450, the BLS reports that the highest-paid ones make $60,260.
Gulfport. As of May 2023, the BLS reports that the median salary for substance abuse counselors in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula area is $36,050. Entry-level counselors in the area typically make around $29,750 while their more experienced colleagues often make about $72,800.

Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Mississippi

Because the MAAP doesn’t require CADC-I applicants to have a specific degree, you can choose from any number of bachelor’s programs to get your career started. For example, Mississippi State University offers a BS in Psychology that includes classes on behavior modification, substance use, and other career-relevant subjects.

Another great option might be the BA in Psychology program at the University of Mississippi. This program offers classes on substance use and behavior, applied behavioral analysis, and psychopathology (the study of mental health disorders).

If you’re looking for a clinical approach, Millsaps College in Jackson is home to a BS in Psychology program that includes courses on behavioral neuroscience and assessment in addition to an elective on substance use disorders.

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.