Best Educational Programs in Oklahoma for Licensed Substance Abuse Counselors

Online Addiction Counseling Education in Oklahoma

Indeed, not only has seeking help for mental and addiction disorders become more widely acceptable, further studies have shown a variety of both predispositions and childhood factors that might contribute to issues in the area. In particular, trauma and factors outside of patients’ control have increasingly been linked to substance abuse disorders later in life. Therefore, pursuing a career as an addiction counselor, focusing on areas such as substance abuse counseling, school counseling, community counseling, and clinical mental health counseling can contribute strongly to reducing instances of addiction and substance abuse by helping patients tackle different problems that they struggle with.

There are several key industries in Oklahoma, which affects the state’s gross revenue and, therefore, can affect the likelihood that you will be able to find a job in the state. Oklahoma’s top business sector is mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, which brings in $29.3 billion in annual revenue and is the second largest producer of this industry among all states in the US. The mining industry is very labor intensive and requires the usage of heavy machinery, which can sometimes be complex and even dangerous to use. Furthermore, workers in the mining and oil industries may spend large portions of their working days away from home, either mining in a less-explored locale or on an oil rig. They may experience loneliness and fatigue in ways that workers in other industries do not, which could contribute to addiction disorders.

Oklahoma’s second largest industry is real estate and rental and leasing, which accounts for $18.9 billion in revenue every year. In recent years, housing and affordable rentals have become an important community issue across the United States, including Oklahoma. Working in the real estate industry, which is both services- and construction-based can have its own set of stressors. Counselors who understand real estate issues, like landlord-tenant relationships and contractual obligations, could be better-positioned to support patients who have addiction disorders fueled by these workplace stressors.

The third-largest sector by employment in Oklahoma is manufacturing, which nets $18.5 billion in revenue per year. This is an industry with tight deadlines, night shifts, and heavy equipment that often requires extra training and experience. Supply chain disruptions can lead to stressful work cultures, so counselors who understand the drivers of issues within manufacturing can be best equipped to help clients who are employed in these areas.

However, if you choose to work in addiction counseling, the most important thing you can understand are the causes of addiction and how you can help your patients get out from under it.

Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Oklahoma

To become an addiction counselor in Oklahoma, students must undertake a rigorous education and counseling certifications process. Addiction counselors require strict education and testing, as well as work requirements before they can work one-on-one with patients. Oklahoma requirements are strict, requiring those who wish to work in this field to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree either in alcohol and drug abuse counseling or another similar counseling field. They must also complete at least one full year of supervised work experience in the field.

Oklahoma offers two levels of certification within the addiction counseling specialty field. The first level is called the Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC) and the second is called the Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor (LADC). The CADC certification is open to any student who has a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science field. Their undergraduate education must include at least 45 hours of instruction in co-occurring disorders or abnormal psychology courses. The LADC level of certification is more rigorous overall, requiring at least a master’s degree.

Both levels of licensure also require students to complete a 300-hour practicum with at least 10 hours of training in the following 12 core areas:

Additionally, Oklahoma also requires addiction counselor candidates to have completed certain work requirements. For CADC candidates, they will have needed to work in the addictions field for at least 2 years, or 4,000 work hours, before receiving their license. For those two years, the CADC candidate must work directly with patients who suffer from addiction for at least 2,000 hours. LADC candidates have a less stringent work requirement, only 2,000 hours with 1,000 hours of direct contact with patients who suffer from addiction. Both CADC and LADC candidates must also have weekly 1-hour face-to-face meetings with their supervisors, who must also be approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health and already be licensed in a counseling field. Both the supervisor and candidate must have signed Form 206 (Supervision Contract) before the supervision relationship has been deemed valid.

In addition to educational and work requirements, Oklahoma also requires all candidates to have passed a criminal background check. All application forms must be signed and notarized, and students must also pay an application fee of $175. CADC applications also require students to send in a picture of themselves, while the LADC application requires a copy of the applicant's driver’s license. Candidates must also sign the Code of Ethics form together with their application.

Finally, candidates must undertake specific written and oral exams administered by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium. For the CADC certification, students must take and pass the Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam. For LADC certification, candidates must take and pass the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam. To renew one’s counseling license in Oklahoma, CADC holders must complete 270 hours of continuing education, of which 135 hours are specific to drugs and alcohol education. LADC holders must complete 180 hours of continuing education, of which 90 hours are specific to drug and alcohol education. Renewal fees cost $125, and the process must be completed every two years.

Potential Careers for Addiction Studies Graduates