Addiction Counseling Professional Organizations

group of professionals applauding speaker Drug addiction continues to be one of the leading public health issues in America. Today, there are new challenges to face, including the introduction of synthetic opioids into the illicit drug supply. More than 100,000 people die each year from drug overdoses, with the vast majority caused by fentanyl-laced drugs. Deadly drug cocktails, a lack of treatment facilities in many areas, and a persistent stigma surrounding addiction continue to plague the nation and create challenges for the people, organizations, and agencies trying to find solutions and save lives.

But there’s plenty of hope on the horizon. Innovative approaches to drug rehabilitation are being implemented, federal agencies are disrupting drug trafficking networks, and state and local leaders are working together to improve access to treatment. At the same time, the substance abuse counseling field is growing to meet this increasing demand for substance abuse disorder (SUD) treatment.

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Professional Organizations for Academic Accreditation

Program accreditation, though not necessary for credentialing, serves as a sign of excellence for employers and provides assurance to students that the program has met rigorous academic and professional standards. In the field of substance abuse counseling, two professional organizations offer program accreditation:

National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC)

The National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC), established through an alliance between the International Coalition for Addiction Studies Education (INCASE) and NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, provides a single standard for higher education in addiction studies.

NASAC accredits programs in addiction studies at all levels, from one-year certificate programs to doctoral degrees. Accreditation standards are based on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Scopes of Practice and TAP 21 guidelines, which outline the addiction counseling competencies required for professionals in the field.

Competencies cover assessment, treatment planning, pharmacology, ethical practices, and more. Colleges and universities often turn to NASAC curriculum standards as guidance when creating addiction studies degree programs.

Programs that have earned NASAC accreditation have met or exceeded the established standards, which are based on a program’s:

Mission, goals, and objectives
Curriculum
Instructional modalities and resources
Faculty qualifications
Community support and articulation
Student progress
Graduate admission and guidance

You can view NASAC-accredited programs here.

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has been accrediting graduate degree programs in counseling since 1981. Today, CACREP accredits more than 983 master’s and doctoral degree programs in 473 colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Counseling graduate degrees accredited by CACREP include master’s degrees in addiction counseling, as well as master’s degrees in clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and clinical rehabilitation counseling with an addictions specialization.

Graduate programs must meet specific standards aimed at curriculum, faculty qualifications, clinical training, internships, and institutional support to qualify for accreditation.

CACREP maintains a searchable directory of programs.

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Professional Organizations for Continuing Education and Professional Development

Continuing education is an integral part of being a substance abuse counselor and is required to maintain certification or licensure.

Professional organizations focused on addiction counseling often serve as an excellent source of continuing education opportunities. In addition to your state credentialing agency, you’ll find a wealth of CE opportunities through the following organizations:

NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals

NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, offers an excellent selection of classes, workshops, events, and webinars that are offered either online or at locations near you.

You can view upcoming CE opportunities near you through NAADAC’s Approved Education Providers Directory. The NAADAC also hosts conferences and summits throughout the year that provide substance abuse counselors with opportunities to earn CEs and network with other professionals in the industry.

American Counseling Association (ACA)

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is an excellent source of CEs through its selection of online courses. Most of these resources are available to ACA members at no cost. They also host a major annual conference that’s attended by more than 3,000 counselors each year.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

SAMSHA provides free training and resources on addiction and mental health topics through its Prevention Training Now! library of training modules. All modules offered through SAMSHA are free of charge and available on demand for substance abuse professionals.

International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC)

The IC&RC does not provide continuing education directly, but it does work with member boards and organizations to provide continuing education opportunities for substance abuse counselors.

National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP)

The NAATP offers a webinar series that features presentations by key experts in the field of addiction counseling. They also host an annual Addiction Treatment Leadership Conference.

Professional Organizations for Advocacy

Contemporary advocacy efforts in substance abuse counseling range from parity in insurance coverage to the development and expansion of harm reduction initiatives to better workforce support. Whatever your passion, you’ll find several professional organizations that are working hard to address challenges and roadblocks, raise awareness, educate the public, and influence policy:

NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals

NAADAC is a valuable resource for advocacy information on issues affecting the field of substance abuse counseling.

Their directory enables SUD professionals to learn more about current public policy issues, become advocates, locate their state senators and local representatives, and discover how to take action. You can also attend NAADAC’s annual advocacy conference.

National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP)

NAATP focuses its advocacy efforts on creating a unified voice in addiction treatment care. NAATP’s Public Policy Statement outlines the organization’s position on law, policy, funding, and regulation. You can learn more about advocacy issues in your state through the State Advocacy Toolkit.

Professional Organizations Offering Certification and/or Licensure Exams

There are two organizations that state credentialing agencies use for measuring a candidate’s competency for certification or licensure: the NAADAC’s National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) and the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).

NCC AP and IC&RC exams provide standardized, psychometrically sound assessments that are recognized for their reliability in evaluating a candidate’s knowledge and skills in substance abuse counseling. Both exams also support reciprocity, making it easy for substance abuse counselors to transfer their credentials to another state, or even another country.

The NCC AP offers the following examinations:

National Certified Addiction Counselor Level I (NCAC I)
National Certified Addiction Counselor Level II (NCAC II)
Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
National Certification in Nicotine and Tobacco Treatment (NCNTT)
National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS)
National Clinical Supervision Endorsement (NCSE)

Learn more about which state boards use NCC AP certification examinations.

The IC&RC offers the following examinations:

Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC)
Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC)
Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP)
Clinical Supervisor (CS)
Peer Recovery-Associate (PR-A)
Peer Recovery (PR)
Prevention Specialist (PS)

Learn more about which state boards use IC&RC examinations and either IC&RC or reciprocal-level credentials.

Membership Opportunities

One of the best ways to connect with the substance abuse community, gain access to continuing education opportunities, and share your voice on issues that matter to you is through membership with one or more of the national addiction counseling organizations:

NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals

NAADAC, which has more than 13,000 members throughout the world, offers both individual memberships and organizational memberships. Members enjoy free CE courses and webinars, reduced rates for NAADAC-sponsored events, access to NAADAC publications, and other discounts. Individual memberships are offered in five different membership categories: professional, associate, peer recovery support specialist, student, and retired. Membership fees vary according to the state in which you live and start at about $37 annually for students and between $100-$140 for professionals.

National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP)

NAATP membership is aimed at providers of substance abuse counseling, including licensed and accredited treatment providers, recovery support services providers, and affiliates. Member benefits include free education and training opportunities, access to the national annual conference, opportunities to meet with industry leaders, job posting services, and access to resources, data, and information designed to help build your business.

Membership through NAATP is available at three levels: PSupporter, provider, and Affiliate, and is based on your company’s annual revenue.

American Counseling Association (ACA)

Membership with the ACA comes with a host of perks, including access to leadership development programs; admission to the Conference & Expo (spring) and Professional Practice Summit (fall); free CE opportunities; free and discounted digital and print resources, podcasts, webinars, and blogs; discounted liability insurance; access to career services; and savings on things like hotels and rental cars. Members also have access to ACA Connect – a private platform where members can gather to talk about counseling-related topics and ask for advice.

ACA membership levels include: student, new professional, professional, regular, and retired. Membership fees start at $105 annually for students and new professionals.

Additional Membership Opportunities for Master’s or Doctoral Level Practitioners

A number of professional membership organizations exist for master’s and doctoral-level substance abuse professionals:

The International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC), a member of the ACA, is a membership organization of substance abuse counselors, correctional counselors, and students and counselor educators who are dedicated to improving the lives of those with addictive and/or criminal behaviors. Their mission is to advance the addiction and offender counseling profession.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) is a medical society comprising more than 8,000 physicians, clinicians, and related professionals specializing in addiction medicine. ASAM is dedicated to increasing access to and improving the quality of addiction treatment. ASAM is primarily for physicians but allows associate members in other addiction-related fields, provided that they are sponsored. Generally, qualifying professions are those at the master’s level.

The Society of Addiction Psychology, Division 50 of the American Psychological Association, is focused on research, professional training, and clinical practice within the field of addiction. Addictive behaviors include the use of alcohol, nicotine, and drugs, along with disorders in gambling, eating, sexual behavior, and spending.

The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry is a national professional society that’s focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery for those with substance use disorders and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. All health professionals, including general psychiatrists, primary care providers, researchers, medical students, and other healthcare professionals, are welcome to join.

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