Alcohol and Drug Counseling
Transforming Lives Through Recovery
Our Alcohol & Drug Counseling certificate prepares you for a rewarding career helping people overcome addiction. You will learn about the physical, mental, and social aspects of substance use while gaining skills to support individuals in recovery. Coursework meets Nebraska's educational requirements for Alcohol & Drug Counseling licensure and prepares you to take the state credentialing exam. Whether you have personal experience with addiction recovery or simply want to help others, this specialized training opens doors to meaningful work in treatment centers and community agencies.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Understand Substance Use and Addiction
You will gain comprehensive knowledge of behavior patterns associated with addiction and current treatment approaches for substance use disorders. You’ll learn drug classification systems, how different substances affect the body and mind, and the signs and symptoms of withdrawal.
Learn Addiction Treatment and Recovery Support
You’ll develop expertise in treatment issues related to chemical dependency and the recovery process. You will learn evidence-based approaches to supporting individuals through withdrawal, early recovery, and long-term sobriety.
Build Professional Counseling Skills
You will learn the essential listening, communication, and counseling skills needed to effectively support individuals struggling with addiction. In addition, you will practice conducting assessments, building therapeutic relationships, facilitating group sessions, and providing compassionate care.
Alcohol & Drug Counseling
Certificate
Locations: Lincoln / Hybrid
The Human Services – Alcohol & Drug Counseling specialization provides comprehensive training in physical, mental and social aspects of substance use disorders. You’ll develop specialized skills needed to work in treatment centers and community agencies helping individuals overcome addiction challenges.
ESTIMATED TUITION
$4,167
CREDIT HOURS
24
PROGRAM LENGTH
2 Terms
SCHEDULE
Full-Time / Part-Time
STARTING TERM
Fall / Spring / Summer
WHY SCC?
Flexible for Working Students
Our Alcohol & Drug Counseling program is designed to make it easier to balance your education with work, family, and other responsibilities while reaching for your career goals. We offer classes in-person and online, and you choose between full- or part-time.
Advance Your Career
Our certificate program is designed for those who have already earned an associate’s degree or higher. It’s the perfect way to advance your career or add specialized addiction counseling credentials to your existing education.
Gain Real-World Experience
We emphasize practical, hands-on learning to develop the communication and counseling skills you need to effectively support individuals in recovery. You’ll practice counseling techniques through role-playing exercises, analyze real-world scenarios through case studies, and participate in engaged learning activities.
Nebraska Counseling License Preparation
Upon completion of the program, you’ll be prepared to take the Nebraska credentialing exam and become provisionally licensed as an alcohol and drug counselor, opening career opportunities throughout the state.
CAREER OUTCOMES
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors assess clients struggling with substance use disorders, develop individualized treatment plans, and provide counseling services to support recovery. They conduct individual and group therapy sessions, monitor client progress, maintain detailed case documentation, and coordinate care with other healthcare providers.
Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist
Substance Abuse Treatment Specialists work directly with individuals and families affected by addiction to provide comprehensive support services. They facilitate group therapy sessions, teach coping strategies and life skills, conduct substance abuse education programs, and help clients develop relapse prevention plans.
Clinical Addiction Counselor
Clinical Addiction Counselors provide advanced therapeutic services to individuals with severe substance use disorders. They perform comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, develop evidence-based treatment interventions, provide crisis intervention services, and collaborate with medical professionals on medication-assisted treatment.
Human Services Program Accreditation
Certificate Getting Started
Application to the SCC Alcohol and Drug Counseling program involves two steps. First, students must achieve specific math and reading test scores or complete specific English and math college courses to be eligible to be admitted to the program. Second, once students achieve the required test scores or complete required courses, they can apply to the program.
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution
Southeast Community College is a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution (NC-SARA) institution. As such, SCC is unable to offer online or distance courses to students in the following areas at this time: American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.