Alcohol/Substance Abuse Specialist

Credential Issued Associate of Science
Program Length 52 Weeks
Total Major Core 45 Credits
General Education Hours 15 Credits
Total Semester Hours 60 Credits

Program Objective:
The Substance Abuse Specialist Associate of Science degree program with a focus on substance abuse issues is designed to help students enter the field of substance abuse treatment. The courses follow the same format as the basic Mental Health Technology, but with a specialization on substance abuse. Students who complete the Substance Abuse track will learn about substance abuse issues in mental health, what are some commonly abused substances, identification and intervention in substance abuse, and how to evaluate the treatment environment. With additional training and work experience the Mental Health Technology Substance Abuse tract will enable a student to become a Certified Addiction Counselor. An Associate of Science degree along with 4,000 hours of direct experience in the addictions field will allow the student to sit for the Certified Addictions Counselor certification examination.

Program Description:
This program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the health care industry; planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety, and environmental issues.
The content includes but is not limited to depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, charting, obsessive compulsive behavior, anxiety values, crisis intervention, coma, hallucinations, organic brain syndrome, manic/depressive illness, electro convulsive therapy, group therapy, medications, adjunctive therapy, alcohol and substance abuse.