Addiction and substance use disorders impact all of us鈥攐ur communities, our friends, and our families. Across the U.S., an estimated 21.5 million Americans have substance use disorders.聽Discover how you can make a difference as an addiction and prevention professional. Moraine Valley's聽Addictions Studies program equips individuals for entry-level employment in drug and alcohol treatment field as counselors working under supervision in treatment centers.
$28.46
Median Hourly Pay
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$59,190
Median Annual Salary
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The primary goal of this program is to give you an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue and become a certified addictions counselor in Illinois through the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA)/Illinois Certification Board (ICB).
An addictions counselor鈥檚 professional training and levels of clinical experience vary. Addictions counselors provide alcohol and drug counseling and education by performing a number of key functions, which may include the following:
- Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Intakes and Assessments
- Client Education
- Referrals
- Case Management
- Record Keeping
Related Job Titles
Alcoholism Counselor, Addictions Counselor, Intake Worker, Substance Abuse Counselor, Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Chemical Dependency Counselor
NEW CLASS! Starting fall 2025, the Addiction Studies program is offering a new course, Neuroscience (ADC-203), where students will explore how alcohol, drugs and traumatic experiences impact the brain and body. The course also highlights restorative and preventative strategies, including trauma-informed care, and essential self-care practices for counselors and other health care professionals.
Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 17% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 48,300 openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
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Program Details
| Program Name | Type of Credential | Curriculum Code | Department or Division |
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Questions?Contact the program coordinator Anni Rasmussen. 
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