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It is tough to admit to having a drug or alcohol problem. It’s even tougher to recover. Overcoming addiction is easier with support. Trained addiction professionals treat individuals with alcohol and substance use problems. Professional training for addiction providers ensures that patients have the best chance of success in recovery.
A patient will usually meet many addiction professionals during rehab. These professionals have different names, skills and schooling. For example, the term addiction specialists refers to trained medical doctors.
States regulate most addiction professional jobs. State licensing protects patients. Licensed professionals have completed specific amounts of education, testing and supervised work. Certified professionals have met national or international organizations’ requirements. Ways to get certified include passing exams, taking classes and working.
An interventionist helps persuade individuals to seek treatment for addiction and substance use. First, they meet with and train family and friends. Then they design a plan and help execute it. Almost anyone can call themselves an interventionist. However, some interventionists have a certification.
Certified intervention professionals (CIPs), and certified national drug & alcohol interventionists (CNDAI), have a minimal amount of education or work experience. Interventionists are not licensed but may have other licensed credentials. For example, a licensed counselor could also be an interventionist.
Addiction counselors are important partners in a patient’s recovery journey. They are more than therapists. Addiction counselors are a patient’s support system, adviser and teacher.
Unfortunately, there’s no consistency in addiction counselor education, licensing or certification. Addiction counselors are also called substance use disorder counselors, alcohol and drug counselors, substance abuse counselors and chemical dependency professionals.
Addiction counselors must have state licenses. Licensed addiction counselors have associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees or master’s degrees. Certified addiction counselors have met specific education and work experience requirements. Advanced alcohol & drug counselors (AADC), and master addiction counselors (MAC) have master’s degrees. Sometimes state licenses require certificates.
Addiction psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in addiction medicine. These psychiatrists study the physical and mental aspects of mental health plus addiction. They are especially useful for patients with dual diagnoses.
A person with a dual diagnosis has an addiction and a mental illness, which are also called co-occurring disorders. Treating addiction without considering the mental illness increases the chance of relapse. Addiction psychiatrists need licenses and certifications.
Addiction medicine physicians are medical doctors that treat patients with addiction. Addiction medicine physicians provide comprehensive care. They help patients with all medical aspects of recovery, including a patient’s evaluation, addiction diagnosis and recovery treatment. They also help family members affected by their loved one’s addiction. Addiction medicine physicians need licenses and certifications.
Behavioral health technicians help doctors provide hands-on care. They are found in mental health facilities, hospitals, treatment centers and more. Behavioral health technicians are also called paraprofessionals, psychiatric technicians and mental health technicians. These technicians help patients with daily tasks.
BHTs can have a bachelor’s degree. On-the-job training is also essential for these professionals. In most states, behavioral health technicians are not licensed; however, the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians (AAPT), offers certifications.
Licensed chemical dependency counselors (LCDCs), are also called substance abuse counselors. Chemical dependency refers to the body’s response to substance use. Alcohol, illicit or prescription drugs, and tobacco are examples of substances.
As their name suggests, these counselors are licensed. Licensing requires education, supervised work experience and testing. Frequently, LCDC education can vary. Most LCDCs have associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees.
Substance abuse social workers provide therapy and support. They help patients with mental health conditions and addiction. Their master’s degree in mental health prepares them to treat co-occurring disorders.
These social workers are also called mental health social workers. Substance abuse social workers must pass an exam and have supervised work experience to be licensed. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), offers optional certification.
A life coach helps people get their lives back on track. They are also called enrichment specialists, recovery coaches and executive coaches. Most life coaches have professional training from an accredited life coach training program.
Life coaches don’t need licenses, but certifications are available. The Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE), the International Association of Coaching (IAC) and the International Coach Federation (ICF) are common credentialing organizations.
The Recovery Village has locations across the country with open positions available for mental health and substance abuse counselors and other clinical roles locally at our facilities and nationally through our telehealth program. Our staff members collectively hold over 3,000 professional credentials, and our evidence-based approach to addiction treatment has earned our facilities a variety of accolades. We are accredited by The Joint Commission, a leading health care accrediting organization in the United States. View the most recent available positions at our job portal website.
The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab
633 Umatilla Blvd. Umatilla, FL 32784
(352) 771-2700
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