Certified Addictions Counselor Curriculum & Syllabus
The Addictions Academy | Fully Accredited & Globally Recognized
Curriculum Overview
TAA 100
Understanding Addiction & Treatment Knowledge (80 hrs)
Addiction history, treatment models, dual diagnoses, pharmacology, behavioral addictions, and human development theories.
Overview of addiction and treatment/history
Understanding when addiction treatment protocols are necessary
Understand and apply The Disease of Addiction and treatment options and modalities (overview)
Understand Dual or Triple Diagnoses (mental illness, HIV, mental disability)
Understand Etiology/Causation of Addiction and dependence liability
Gain Knowledge of History of Addiction and/or Addiction Treatment
Involvement and Treatment of Family in Recovery
Apply the Models of Treatment/Evidence Based Progress
Understanding Other Substances and Behavioral Addictions
Pharmacology and Physiology (including alcohol) 45 hours specific
Understand and apply Differentiation between Tolerance vs. Dependence markers
Learn Psychoactive drugs, toxic and therapeutic effects/uses
Understand and apply basic pharmacology principles
To gain knowledge in the Physical Aspects of Addiction, Brain Science
Understanding the Relationship of Addiction to Health, Crime, and Other Social Problems
Signs, Symptoms, Progression of Addiction
Understanding additional Treatment Components
Types of Service Modalities (residential, outpatient, etc.)
Use of Support Groups
Understanding human development theories: Lifespan, Role Theory, Self-Actualization, Self in Relations, Attachment Theory, etc.
Understanding how human development and cognitive abilities form and relevancy to addiction
Understanding Nature vs. Nurture Concepts
TAA 101
Documentation (15 hrs)
Intake, assessment, clinical notes, summaries, privacy laws, and record-keeping best practices.
Utilizing Assessment Tools, Assessing Treatment Signs and Progress
Utilizing Client Screening Tools (those currently in use)
Understanding Client Intake Procedures
Understanding and Utilizing Discharge or Transfer Summaries
Creating Proper Clinical Documentation
Understanding Electronic Health Records/Technology
Understanding Privacy & Confidentiality
Creating and Generating Progress Notes
Understanding how to engage clients in the treatment process
Creating Psychosocial Summaries
Reports/Record Keeping/Records Management
TAA 102
Counseling Theories & Techniques (80 hrs)
Individual, group, and family counseling skills, motivational interviewing, group dynamics, and therapeutic alliances.
Client Progress Assessment and Response
Developing Counseling Theories/Techniques
Creating a Therapeutic Relationship with the client
Demonstrating Active and Empathetic Listening Skillset
Demonstrating Mirroring, Reflecting Listening, and Paraphrasing situations with the client (oral presentation/role play)
Developing a Therapeutic Alliance with the client in 5 steps
Applying Evidence-based Practices
Understand the relevance of Individual/Group/Family Counseling
Understanding Transference, Counter Transference
Demonstrating Motivational Interviewing Techniques and 3 effective questioning techniques (oral presentation/role play)
Demonstrating Communication Styles; Challenging, clarification, Reflection (role play)
Types of Treatment Programs/Levels of Treatment
Create and Understand Group Intervention
Knowledge of Counseling Theory versus Counseling Practice
Understanding Group Therapy Dynamics
Creating Counselling Techniques in group settings
Application of Life Skills and implementation of problem-solving techniques in Group settings
Establishing a therapeutic relationship setting
Creating Safe Space in a Group
Creating and Demonstrating life skills in Group Techniques
Understanding Group Intervention Techniques
Understanding Counseling Theory
Understating the differences between educational, psychoeducational, therapeutic, and self-help groups
Creation of group curriculum
TAA 103
Application to Practice & Professional Growth (50 hrs)
Crisis intervention, ethics, leadership, burnout prevention, and cultural competence.
Care for the Caregiver/Self Care
Understanding Burnout and personal wellness
Understanding your limitations as a counselor
Understanding burnout and compassion fatigue
Demonstrating Crisis Intervention/Verbal De-escalation
Understanding Ethics and Ethical Decision-making
Understanding Differences between Individual, Group, and Family Counseling Techniques (role play)
Understanding Laws Governing Privacy, Confidentiality, and HIPAA
Understanding Management and Leadership Skills
Understanding Medication-Assisted Treatment
Understanding Models of Treatment
Demonstration of Observation and Communication Skills (role play)
Understanding Rules and Regulations that Govern Full Continuum of Services and Referrals
Demonstrating Knowledge of Special Population Needs/Cultural Competence
Demonstrating Supervision Techniques (role play)
Understanding Research/Translating Research to Practice
Understanding Wellness, Alternative Therapies, Nutrition
Care Coordination
Demonstration of Motivational Interviewing Techniques
Demonstration of Trauma-Informed Care Approach
TAA 104
Treatment Planning & Special Populations (30 hrs)
Personalized treatment plans, evidence-based protocols, and serving diverse, high-risk populations.
Understanding Correct Client Placement Criteria
Developing Individualized Treatment Plans
Understanding Drug Court/Correction-based Treatment/Policy/Theory
Enhancing Client Choice/Client-Directed Care
Utilizing Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Treatment Protocols
Understanding Youth/Adolescent needs
Understanding the needs of Women, LBGTQ, Indigenous Populations, Geriatric, High-Risk populations
Creating the proper Intake/Orientation to Treatment
Understanding Medication-assisted Treatmen
Creating On-going Assessment
Overcoming Barriers to Treatment Progress
Understanding Special Population Needs: corrections, prison/parole/probation, HIV/Aids
Understanding Mental health, dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders
Creating Stages of Change and Treatment Goals/Interventions
Following Treatment Goals and Measuring Success
Treatment Planning/Models of Treatment
TAA 105
Clinical Evaluation (35 hrs)
Assessment tools, DSM criteria, detox protocols, and co-occurring disorder screening.
Demonstrate how to assess drug and alcohol addiction
Understanding the Tools of Assessment
Understand Addiction & Human Growth/Development
Demonstrate the Addictive Process and Readiness to Change Scale
Understanding Client Orientation
Knowledge and use of Client Assessment and Screening Tools
Assessment Instruments, Procedures, and Techniques
Creating and Demonstrating Client Engagement
Understand how to Client Match to Service Array
Understanding Detoxification Protocols
Ability to Utilize DSM IV/Diagnosis Criteria / ASAM
Understanding Motivational Interviewing
Other Substance & Behavioral Addictions – Gambling/Smoking/Food
Assessing Readiness and Motivation for Treatment
Understanding and Applying Risk Factors/Risk Assessment/Risk Management
Applying Screening Instruments, Procedures, and Techniques
Utilizing Screening/Assessment for Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders
Understanding Signs/Symptoms/Stages of SUD, Active Use and Withdrawal
Urinalysis and Other Biological Assessments
TAA 106
Client, Family & Community Education (50 hrs)
Adult learning theory, family interventions, cultural diversity, domestic violence, and life skills training.
Understanding and Applying Adult Learning Theory
Knowledge of Anger Management Skills
Creating Client Education and Family Goal Setting
Changing Criminal Behavior/Criminal Thinking Errors/Offender Treatment
Understanding Co-Dependency and Moral Development
Understanding Cultural Diversity/Special Populations
Understanding Domestic Violence
Understanding Family Dynamics and effects of addiction on various family roles
Knowledge of self-help groups, educational, psychoeducational, and therapeutic groups, and demonstration of each
Knowledge of HIV/TB/Hepatitis C
Understanding and family interventions
Demonstrating Application of Life Skills
Knowledge of family counseling techniques
Understanding and Demonstrating Theories of Counseling Techniques in the Family vs. Group and Individual
Understanding Victim vs. Perpetrator Counseling
Toxicology
TAA 107
Ethical, Legal & Professional Responsibilities (45 hrs)
Code of ethics, legal guidelines, boundaries, and organizational ethics.
Understanding Boundaries / Transference
Knowledge of Computer Ethics and online record keeping CRMS
Understanding Cultural Competence, supervision, and professional development
Understanding and Application of Ethical Decision Making / Code of Ethics
Application of Laws / Rules & Regulations, including legal issues and correct reporting techniques
Understanding Organizational Ethics
Understanding Policy in Human Services
Demonstration of consent versus negligence
Record keeping in terms of legal and ethical necessities
Understanding and Demonstration of Privacy / Confidentiality / HIPPA/Disclosure
Understanding Relationships / Dual Relationships
Understanding Sexual Misconduct
Understanding client welfare is a primary concern
Demonstrating Boundaries in the Therapeutic Relationship
Understanding the relationship between referral sources and outside sources, counselors, and organizations
Understanding the sensitive nature of financial issues of the client
TAA 108
Telehealth (15 hrs)
HIPAA-compliant platforms, documentation for online sessions, and telehealth protocols.
Understanding Telehealth
Understanding client portals and EMR systems
Understanding HIPAA compliant software programs
Knowledge of Covid 19 Exceptions, considerations, and new models
Understanding Limitations of Telehealth
Creating Documentation for online sessions
Knowledge of DEA guidelines for prescriptions
Knowledge of SAMSHA Guidelines
Knowledge of Medicaid and Private pay guidelines
Demonstrating Correct reporting techniques
Understanding Health Privacy Rules
Facilitating Resources/links for more information
TAA 109
Case Management & Referral (45 hrs)
Care coordination, community resources, confidentiality, and outcome evaluation.
Creating Advocacy/Liaison Activities
Understanding Case Management Roles and Functions
Creating Client Referrals and service platform coordination
Creating Community Resources/Services
Understanding Confidentiality/HIPPA Issues with Referrals
Creating and Implementation of Consultation with other Professionals/ Self-help Groups
Understanding Continuum of Care/Placement and aftercare follow up- follow-through
Understanding and Utilizing Managed Care Systems
Following the Referral Outcome/Evaluation
Creating the proper Service/Care Coordination/Collaboration
Understanding Special Population Needs
Delivery & Requirements
Format
100% online, self-paced
Duration
Complete in 3–6 months (full access for 14 months)
Assessments
Quizzes, role plays, and final evaluations (70% passing grade required)
Accreditation
Accepted in the USA, Canada, EU, and 25+ countries (IC&RC & CACCF standards)
Two Flexible Ways to Train
We know every student’s goals and budget are different. That’s why we offer two options:
Full Certification Track
$4,997 one time
Full Certification Track
All 10 TAA modules included (445 hours)
Board-exam ready
Save over $500 compared to purchasing separately
14 months access, go at your own pace
Optional practicum included
Monthly Module Track
$499 per month
Whats Included
Get one module every month
Easy spaced out payments for financial flexibility
Fully accredited hours that count toward the complete certification as you learn
Still Have Questions?
Our Admissions Counselors are here to help.
Call 1.800.706.0318 or [click here to talk to a program advisor].