Substance Abuse Counseling, AA

Due to changing educational requirements at the state level for licensed addiction counselors, this course of study is subject to change. Students should work closely with an advisor to determine their course of study.

This program provides the student with the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of addiction and is designed to meet the academic requirement for the State of Montana’s Licensed Addiction Counselor.

Upon completion of this program, students will

• Understand addiction
  1. Understand a variety of models and theories of addiction and other problems related to substance abuse.
  2. Describe the behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social effects of psychoactive substances on the user and significant others.
• Understand treatment
  1. Describe the philosophies, practices, policies, and outcomes of the most generally accepted and scientifically supported models of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care for addiction and other substance-related problems.
  2. Recognize the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment and recovery process.
• Apply knowledge
  1. Understand the established diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and describe treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care.
  2. Provide treatment services appropriate to the personal and cultural identity and language of the client.
• Demonstrate professionalism
  1. Understand the importance of self-awareness in one’s personal, professional, and cultural life.
  2. Understand the addiction professionals’ obligations to adhere to ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the helping relationship.