Alcohol & Drug Addiction Counseling Program
(ADAC)

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ADAC Program Overview

The California Nurses Educational Institute (CNEI) offers the CCAPP-approved Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (ADAC) program, which provides a well-balanced education based on class lectures, demonstrations, and the performance of practical skills. The training concludes with an externship at a qualified treatment facility where the student can gain real-world experience working as a substance abuse counselor in California. The program can be completed in less than nine months.

Graduates of this program receive a diploma and are eligible to test for the Certified Addiction Counselor (CADC-1) exam for the state of California. This professional certification opens the path to careers in alcohol and drug counseling, substance abuse treatment, and behavioral health services across various healthcare and rehabilitation settings.

Job Summary

Substance abuse counselors are responsible for assisting patients through drug rehabilitation program and treatment centers and offer techniques for handling addiction. Patients may work with substance abuse counselors individually, but treatment is often provided in group sessions.

Counselors assist patients with crisis management and coping strategies; they also help family members and friends of patients acclimate to lifestyle and behavioral changes. One of the primary tasks of any substance abuse counselor is evaluating patient progress during therapy.

Substance abuse counselors carry out critical tasks such as:

Counsel individuals that suffer from addiction and the detrimental effects of drug and alcohol abuse.
Assess, design and implement treatment plans for individual, group therapy sessions, family counseling, case management, and more.

Time to Complete:

38 Weeks Evening 735 Hours

Semester Units:

Lecture Levels:

Externship

255 Hours

Format:

Distance-Education & In-Person

Start Dates/Class times:

Request More Information

Program Details - ADAC

Program Objective

Our objective is to train and prepare students for an entry-level job as an Alcohol & Drug Addiction Counselor.

Upon Graduating from our ADAC program, students will be fully prepared and eligible to test for the Certified Addiction Counselor exam for the state of California (CADC-1).

Program Description (ADAC)

The 735-hour ADAC program will be completed in 38 weeks. It consists of 480 hours divided into 5 course levels of classroom and practical instruction. The 6th level consists of 255 hours of externship in a rehab and recovery facility.

The ADAC program is designed to allow students to start classes at the beginning of any of the first five course levels. Most externships may be scheduled only during the day. Graduation of the program requires successful completion of all levels.

Requirements

In order to graduate from the ADAC program, students must meet the below requirement:

High school diploma or equivalent educational diploma (e.g., a GED or foreign diploma)
Complete all levels
Complete the externship
Satisfactory attendance
Satisfactory academics
No financial obligations to school

Students Must Complete:

Lecture Levels I – V (480 Hours)
Externship Level VI (255 Hours)

ADAC Course Levels

Clock Hours

Level I: History of Alochol and Mood Changing Drugs

Level II: Law and Ethics

Level III: Case Management, Intake and Assessment Process

Level IV: Individual, Group, and Family Conseling Techniques

Level V: Professional Development, Supervised Practicum

Level VI: Externship: Supervised Field Work

255

TOTAL

735

CADC / ADAC Career Outcome & More Information

Substance Abuse Counselors in California

The data below shows the job market for Alcohol & Drug Addiction Counselors for the State
of California. CNEI cannot guarantee employment, salary levels, or career advancement. The
data is not specific to CNEI students or graduates.

1. Salary Range

$47K

2020 median pay from BLS

2. Job Outlook

25% Increase

Average Growth Rate from 2019 – 2029

Salary ranges reflect the 25th and 75th percentile for the occupation in California, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of CNEI. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location, and other factors specific to the individual. CNEI does not guarantee employment, salary level, or career advancement. CNEI does not guarantee employment, salary level, or career advancement.

Learn More About Certified Addiction Counselors

Financial Aid is Available For Those Who Qualify

Start Your Substance Abuse Counselor Career. Request Information Today!

Your first step towards applying for your career as a substance abuse counselor starts here.

FAQs - ADAC Program (CADC Preparation)

FAQ ADAC Program - CADC Preparation by CNEI

What is the ADAC program at CNEI?

The ADAC program at the California Nurses Educational Institute is a CCAPP-approved course in substance abuse counseling that prepares students for entry-level jobs in recovery and behavioral health centers. Graduates can take the California Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC-I) exam.

Does CCAPP approve the ADAC program?

The California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) has fully approved CNEI's Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counseling program. This means that graduates can apply for the CADC certification process.

Will this program help me get ready for the CADC test in California?

Of course. The ADAC program gives you all the academic hours, supervised training, and externship experience you need to pass the CADC-I exam in California.

How long does it take to finish the CNEI ADAC program?

You can finish the program in about nine months, which includes studying in class, doing hands-on work, and doing an externship under supervision at a qualified treatment or counseling center.

Do ADAC classes happen in person or online?

Some of CNEI's ADAC classes are online, so you can learn from home and get hands-on clinical training at our Rancho Mirage campus. This format lets students fit their studies around their jobs or families.

What will the ADAC program teach me?

Students learn about group facilitation, counseling theory, ethics, case management, and assessment. They also get real-world experience through a supervised externship, which helps them learn how to help clients recover and change their behavior.

What do you need to do to get into the ADAC program?

To apply, you need to have a high school diploma or GED, go to class regularly, and finish all of your externship hours and classroom levels. The CNEI enrollment office can help you with the admission process.

What kinds of jobs can I get once I finish this program?

People who have graduated often work as behavioral health technicians, case managers, or substance abuse counselors in recovery centers, clinics, or community groups all over Southern California.

Does CNEI help students find clinical placements?

Yes. CNEI sets up externships for students with approved healthcare and counseling facilities so they can do the fieldwork they need to do and get experience before they graduate.

What makes this program different from other courses that teach people how to help people with drug problems?

CNEI's CCAPP-approved ADAC program is different from many short courses because it combines academic theory with hands-on fieldwork. This helps students get ready for both certification and real-world counseling jobs in less than a year.

Where is CNEI?

The California Nurses Educational Institute is in Rancho Mirage and serves students from Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Indio, and other nearby areas in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Is it possible to work while in the ADAC program?

Sure. Students can keep working while they finish their classes and externship requirements because many of them are offered online or in the evening.

What kind of certificate will I get when I graduate?

CNEI gives graduates a Diploma in Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counseling. This lets them apply for CADC certification through CCAPP and start working as a counselor.

Is there money available to help pay for the ADAC program?

Students who meet the requirements can get financial aid. The admissions team at CNEI can help applicants understand their options.

What do I need to do to apply for the ADAC program?

You can fill out an application online at the CNEI website or call our admissions office in Rancho Mirage for help with the enrollment process, getting financial aid, and figuring out your class schedule.

Students from Across Southern California

Learners entering the Vocational Nursing program often come from cities throughout the Coachella Valley. Our Rancho Mirage campus draws future LVNs from Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Indio, and Desert Hot Springs, along with students traveling from Riverside and San Bernardino counties. We value these communities and appreciate the trust local residents place in our LVN program as they take the next step toward a healthcare career.

BPPE

P.O.Box 980818
West Sacramento, CA 95798
(888) 370-7589
www.bppe.ca.gov

COUNCIL ON OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION (COE)

7840 Roswell Road,
Bldg. 300, Suite 325
Atlanta, GA 30350
(800) 917-2081
www.council.org

BOARD OF LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSES & PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIANS

2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 263-7800
www.bvnpt.ca.gov

US Department Of Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20420
(844) 698-2311
www.va.gov

Alcohol & Drug Addiction Counseling Program
(ADAC)