Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Student Testimonials...
I passed my Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam with flying colors. Thanks to Christian Institute! Christian Institute's on-line classes gave me the flexibility and tools I needed to pass each class and feel confident while applying for my internship. Christian Institute was there for me every step of the way to answer questions and offer support.
I am so grateful for all their help. Sincerely, Polly H. 
Dear Lawrence:
Just a quick note to express my thanks for the help you gave me through Christian Institute as I studied for my drug and alcohol counselor credential. You were very encouraging along the way and kept me motivated to complete the tasks. Last week I took and passed the CADC II exam. Thank you. Norman B. Students' Evaluations and Comments about the Courses |
About this Program: Christian Institute (CI) has been offering drug and alcohol counseling certification courses since 2005. We have hundreds of satisfied students, and most importantly, many of them have gone on to become Certified. Christian Institute is approved by CCAPP (California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals). This means that you don’t have to worry if your courses will count towards your certification. You can visit CCAPP's website by clicking here for more information. With CCAPP certification, you have reciprocity with other states through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) This means that your certification is transferable to jurisdictions governed by IC&RC. You can also view other states' certification requirements. If you reside in another state, read the state's certification requirement. The states listed in the menu are the ones where Christian Institute's courses will meet the criteria.
Acquiring professional knowledge and skills to work with those who have substance abuse issues is essential to be more effective. As stated earlier, Christian Institute, since 2005, has been offering substance abuse training to persons who want to help others with substance abuse problems. Many of Christian Institute’s students have become certified drug and alcohol counselors. They are now working in non-profits, governmental entities and are even in private practice. Other students take courses for enrichment purposes so that they can learn about substance abuse in order to help love ones or understand the nature of addiction. Still others have taken the courses to be more effective in their church ministry. Christian Institute has primarily designed its courses so that persons can qualify to become certified as a drug and alcohol counselor. In understanding the nature of treating others with substance abuse issues, Christian Institute's curriculum helps students not only to pass the exam to become certified but also to enhance their fundamental understanding of providing treatment. Through Christian Institute's curriculum, students' understanding of working with clients is broaden; therefore, they develop new perspectives on how to perform treatment. Click here to take a Sample Course. The login is sample The password is register |
How to Register for CI's Online Courses
If interested, complete the Student Interest Form and a representative will contact you within 24 hours to discuss registration. Upon acceptance, students may register for the courses. Call us at (408) 220-8090 or email us ci@christianinstitute.org if you have questions.
Cost: The full tuition cost for the CADC program $1,400. The cost for books is extra, ranging from $21 to $100 per course. For discounts, the following chart applies.
- Pay for all seven courses at once $1400 for a total of $1400 for all courses
- Pay for each individual course $300 each for a total of $2100 for all courses.
Once registration and payment are received, students will receive within 24 hours the link to the course, their log-in information and password.
Students can then begin taking the online course.
How CI's Online Courses Work
Christian Institute offers online the seven courses needed to qualify to take CCAPP's written exam to become a certified alcohol and drug counselor. The seventh course, the Supervised Practicum, is a full course in which students begin their 255-hour internship at an approved drug and alcohol facility in which the students acquire 21 hours in each of the 12 Core Functions. The internship site is of the student's choosing.
The amount of time that students take to complete one online course is individualized, ranging from 30 to 60 days. However, because of the self-paced nature of the courses, some students have finished sooner and others longer. The courses have standard curriculum but the pacing is individualized.
Students must have at least a high school diploma or equivalency, an operating knowledge of computers such as sending and receiving emails, uploading and downloading files, opening websites, and using word-processing software like Microsoft Word.
The typical requirements for each course are:
After submitting the final exam, students will receive within one week their grade for the course.
Students will interact with the course instructor through the course's software, email and even telephone; all students will have the instructor's contact information.
Christian Institute offers online the seven courses needed to qualify to take CCAPP's written exam to become a certified alcohol and drug counselor. The seventh course, the Supervised Practicum, is a full course in which students begin their 255-hour internship at an approved drug and alcohol facility in which the students acquire 21 hours in each of the 12 Core Functions. The internship site is of the student's choosing.
The amount of time that students take to complete one online course is individualized, ranging from 30 to 60 days. However, because of the self-paced nature of the courses, some students have finished sooner and others longer. The courses have standard curriculum but the pacing is individualized.
Students must have at least a high school diploma or equivalency, an operating knowledge of computers such as sending and receiving emails, uploading and downloading files, opening websites, and using word-processing software like Microsoft Word.
The typical requirements for each course are:
- read the syllabus and course requirements once logged into the online course
- read the appropriate readings assigned for each topic
- take a quiz after each topic
- complete at least two assignments of doing a hands-on activity such as visiting a recovery program and writing a 500-word reflection paper on the activity
- take the final exam
After submitting the final exam, students will receive within one week their grade for the course.
Students will interact with the course instructor through the course's software, email and even telephone; all students will have the instructor's contact information.
CCAPP Certification Requirements
For more information on certification, contact CI at (408) 220-8090 or CCAPP at (916) 368-9412.
- A candidate must pass a written exam administered by CCAPP.
- The candidate needs to satisfactorily pass the seven courses to qualify to take the written exam.
- After completing the courses, the candidate submits a portfolio to CCAPP.
- If the candidate has at least 2080 hours of experience, he/she would qualify for a CADC I.
- If the candidate has more than 6000 hours, he/she would qualify for a CADC II.
- 6,000 hours supervised work experience (A degree in a behavioral health discipline, not used to meet the education requirements for certification, can be used for hours toward certification, for the CADC II only, as follows: AA degree = 2000 hours; BA degree = 4000 hours. Examples of behavioral science degrees are: Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Addiction Counseling. Sociology and other liberal arts degrees are not acceptable)
For more information on certification, contact CI at (408) 220-8090 or CCAPP at (916) 368-9412.
Courses needed for Certification
Overview of Addiction Examines the history of alcohol and other mood-changing drugs; the myths and stereotypes of alcohol use; the socio-cultural factors that contribute to the use of drugs; and the patterns and progressions of alcoholism.
Physiology and Pharmacology
Examines the effects of alcohol and drugs on the body, mind and behavior. The course also has a component on HIV/AIDS.
Examines legal and professional responsibility, regulatory restrictions; community prevention education; outreach; confidentiality and issues surrounding clients’ rights such as confidentiality.
Law and Ethics
Examines legal and professional responsibility, regulatory restrictions; community prevention education; outreach; confidentiality and issues surrounding clients’ rights such as confidentiality.
Case Management
Focuses on the core functions of intake, screening, assessment, orientation, treatment planning, referral, and reports and record keeping. Relapse prevention is also included.
Individual, Group and Family Counseling
Focuses on the objectives of counseling; theories of counseling; family and group dynamics; and counseling techniques..
Personal and Professional Growth
Focuses on symptoms of counselor burnout; the recovering counselor; professional standards; certification requirements; and professional resources.
Supervised Practicum
A course in which students begin their 255-hour supervised internship at an approved drug and alcohol facility.
Overview of Addiction Examines the history of alcohol and other mood-changing drugs; the myths and stereotypes of alcohol use; the socio-cultural factors that contribute to the use of drugs; and the patterns and progressions of alcoholism.
Physiology and Pharmacology
Examines the effects of alcohol and drugs on the body, mind and behavior. The course also has a component on HIV/AIDS.
Examines legal and professional responsibility, regulatory restrictions; community prevention education; outreach; confidentiality and issues surrounding clients’ rights such as confidentiality.
Law and Ethics
Examines legal and professional responsibility, regulatory restrictions; community prevention education; outreach; confidentiality and issues surrounding clients’ rights such as confidentiality.
Case Management
Focuses on the core functions of intake, screening, assessment, orientation, treatment planning, referral, and reports and record keeping. Relapse prevention is also included.
Individual, Group and Family Counseling
Focuses on the objectives of counseling; theories of counseling; family and group dynamics; and counseling techniques..
Personal and Professional Growth
Focuses on symptoms of counselor burnout; the recovering counselor; professional standards; certification requirements; and professional resources.
Supervised Practicum
A course in which students begin their 255-hour supervised internship at an approved drug and alcohol facility.