Substance Abuse Counseling (AA)
If you're looking for a career that makes a profound impact, consider helping people on their journey to recovery. The demand for skilled and compassionate substance abuse counselors has never been higher, and our program at Flathead Valley Community College is your first step toward making a real difference. We provide the training and supportive environment you need to become a confident, effective professional.
Associate of Arts (AA)
Length: 2 years
Our 66-credit AA in Substance Abuse Counseling meets the academic requirements for Montana’s Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential. The curriculum covers current addiction models, diagnostic criteria and the professional ethics essential for a career in counseling. After graduation, you will be prepared to complete the 1,000 hours of supervised work experience required to sit for the state licensure exam.
My desire to help other people led me to a new career in addiction counseling and social work. The teachers at FVCC are all very open and understanding and have a desire to see students succeed.
Aspen Truzzolino
Substance Abuse Counseling Student
Our program’s structure allows students to stay in their home communities and have access to high quality education and direct connections to top employers.
Carlin Phillips, M.S., LCPC, ACLC
Associate Professor/Program Director Substance Abuse Counseling
Carlin C. Phillips
Assistant Professor, Substance Abuse
This program provides students with the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of addiction and is designed to meet the academic requirements for the State of Montana’s Licensed Addiction Counselor.
Upon completion of this program, students will
- Understand addiction
- Understand a variety of models and theories of addiction and other problems related to substance abuse.
- Describe the behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social effects of psychoactive substances on the user and significant others.
- Understand treatment
- 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.
- Recognize the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment and recovery process.
- Apply knowledge
- Understand the established diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and describe treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care.
- Provide treatment services appropriate to the personal and cultural identity and language of the client.
- Demonstrate professionalism
- Understand the importance of self-awareness in one’s personal, professional, and cultural life.
- Understand the addiction professionals’ obligations to adhere to ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the helping relationship.