(Also see Human Services and Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice)
The Substance Abuse Counseling program prepares students for employment as alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) counselors. Coursework provides counseling education and training for social services and human resource professionals concerned with addicted individuals and their families.
The curriculum leading to the A.A.S. is accredited by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA). Completion of the program meets the association’s requirements to sit for the CADC (Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor) certification examination.
IAODAPCA certification indicates that the student has demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and core functions necessary to provide quality care to individuals seeking treatment of their alcohol and/or other drug abuse or dependence.
In addition to the 60-credit-hour A.A.S., Oakton offers two certificates: Preparatory Substance Abuse Counseling and Advanced Substance Abuse Counseling.
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse/Dependency - Family Dysfunction
- Develop a method to educate the family on the aspects of the disease of chemical dependency and information about Al-Anon/Nar-Anon, and FA (Families Anonymous).
- Analyze how alcohol and other drug abuse results in family dysfunction.
- Analyze how chemical dependency affects not only the chemically dependent person, but the family members as well.
2. Pharmacology
- Distinguish the actions of psychoactive drugs as they affect the body.
- Develop appropriate treatment referrals based on patient’s assessments.
- Define the routes of administration, methods of ingestion, tolerance, withdrawal and interactions of these drugs with other psychoactive and non-psychoactive drugs.
3. Signs and Symptoms
- Evaluate the signs and symptoms associated with the different classifications of psychoactive chemicals.
- Analyze the concepts of use, misuse, abuse, dependence, withdrawal, and overdose/toxicity.
- Create appropriate treatment approaches necessary to ensure the safety of patients while providing the appropriate level of care.
4. Human Development/Behavior
- Analyze the principles and processes of human physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social development including basic abnormal psychology and effects of chemical usage on growth and development.
5. Historical Perspectives
- Describe the historical development of alcohol and other drug abuse treatment including the history of chemical usage in the United States, development of the various treatment modalities and its relationship to the community at large.
6. Treatment Delivery Models
- Apply the eligibility requirements and criteria for specific delivery models of service.
- Differentiate what services are offered in treatment modalities with applicable regulations and limits of each.
- Differentiate when it is appropriate to make referrals to Outpatient, Detoxification, Residential, and Self-Help Groups.
7. Rules and Regulations
- Identify the applicable Illinois and Federal laws. Emphasis is placed on rules and regulations governing but not limited to:
- Intake protocol
- Discharge requirements
- Confidentiality regulations
- Record keeping
- Child abuse reporting act
- Client and provider rights
8. Core Functions
- Evaluate the core functions of an alcohol and other drug abuse counselor.
- Train the student in the execution of core functions in an AODA (alcohol and other drug of abuse) treatment setting.
9. Professional Ethics
- Evaluate the requirements, core functions and the Code of Ethics of the AODA (alcohol and other drug of abuse) Counselor.
- Professional ethics should include:
- Code of Conduct
- Disciplinary procedures
- Appeals procedure
- Counselor Assistance Program
10. Special Populations, Women and Adolescents
- Evaluate the differences in attitude and behavior patterns of significant cultures and special needs groups within Illinois' population in order to provide meaningful quality care.
- Identify addiction treatment services for women and/or their families and addiction treatment services for adolescents and/or their families.
11. Clinical Supervision
- Analyze the role of clinical supervision in the AODA (alcohol and other drug of abuse) treatment system.
- Create effective treatment systems through the process of clinical supervision.
Substance Abuse Counseling Courses
Note: Substance Abuse Counseling courses belong to Human Services (HSV) discipline.
Course reviews psychological principles and counseling techniques for public and social/human service workers. Content includes interview varieties, types and purposes; various communication techniques to establish rapport, question, reflect and help clients explore feelings and beliefs; and diagnostic and record-keeping systems. Skills developed largely through class exercises, role-plays and skill practice.
Course examines standardized screening and assessment instruments utilizing electronic health records, including American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria for admission into treatment settings and modalities. Practice integrative and comprehensive approaches that include, but not limited to motivational interviewing, treatment planning, documentation, discharge planning, aftercare, and referral methods. Theoretical and evidence-based practices to be explored include psychoanalytic, humanistic-existential, behavioral, cognitive behavioral, person-centered, trauma-informed care, Stages of Change and co-occurring related approaches.
This course provides an overview of theories and models in multicultural counseling for treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Identify issues relating to, but not limited to, aging, culture, disability, ethnicity, race, religion/spirituality, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, marital status/partnerships, language, socioeconomic status, and social justice. Students will engage in activities to analyze their own cultural awareness, influences, implicit biases, and limitations. The course will review culturally-centered, evidence-based assessments, referrals, and case management services. Culturally appropriate interventions will be analyzed for women, LGBTQ+, justice involved, adolescents, gerontology population, and veterans.
Course continues HSV 110. Content includes review of psychological principles and counseling techniques used by public and social/human service workers. Skills learned previously refined to focus on more in-depth probing of issues blocking effective responding of clients to life’s challenges. Further methods of analyzing and interpreting data uncovered in therapeutic counseling sessions and interviews. Practice given in conducting sessions, analyzing information uncovered in counseling, and proper documentation.
Course involves placement in an approved field to integrate and apply knowledge and skills in a clinical setting. Minimum 300 (three hundred) hours in a supervised field experience. Focus of practical experience in core functions include screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports and record keeping under the direction of a Practicum Site Supervisor. Program coordinator and/or practicum faculty provides ongoing supervision, monitoring and evaluation of student progress.
Fee: $65
Course involves placement in an approved field to integrate and apply knowledge and skills in a clinical setting. Minimum 300 (three hundred) hours in a supervised field experience, directed by Practicum Site Supervisor. Focus of practical experience in core functions include includes orientation, assessment, ethics, screening, intake, case management, community outreach, treatment planning, essentials of supervision, psychopathology, suicide risk, crisis intervention, client education, referral, charting and record keeping. Department coordinator and/or practicum faculty will provide ongoing supervision, monitoring and evaluation of student progress.
Fee: $65
Course reviews content of course work in Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate program and the Core Functions required by IAODAPCA to receive the CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) credential. Focus is on preparation for the IC&RC examination.