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Our curriculum accredited by

Union Institute & University. 

A regionally accredited University. Has entered into an articulation agreement with The Academy for Addictive Disorders.

Once you complete entire course of study at AFAD you may transfer over to Union with 24 college credits towards a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology or Social Work.

Our students become experts in their fields. Our academic program instills the knowledge they will need to excel at their profession.

Our classes achieve excellence because we employ a wide repertoire of teaching and learning strategies, and students are actively involved in the learning process.

Our stimulating classes draw upon students' strengths and encourage them to push themselves to the outer limits of their abilities.

Courses needed for certification as an

Addictions Counselor are listed below

starting with A-501 Through A-514.

Courses for Recovery coaches, Interventionist, etc. differ by curriculum and only available ONLINE. 



A - 501: Addictionology (3 Cr. or 45 Hr.)

This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to the disease of chemical dependence and related addiction disorders.  It will include a historical context, definitions, symptom identification, progression, treatment and prevention.  Terms and concepts related to the theory, research, and practice of addictions will also be included.  Inclusion materials are guided by the Florida Certification Board’s adopted National Standards for Substance Abuse Treatment indicated in the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Technical Assistance Publication 21.

A - 502: Addiction-Mental Health & Pharmacology

(1 Cr. or 15 Hr.)

This course will provide definitions and the use of pharmacological treatment of addiction to alcohol and chemical substances.  Included will be detailed descriptions of the medications used to treat clients with co-occurring mental health illness referenced in the American Psychological Association DSM-V manual. The focus will be on the use of medications prescribed by psychiatrists to be used in conjunction with mental health counseling. A detailed description of medication used for different diagnoses, side effects, and skills necessary for the counselor to support collaborative treatment will be discussed through lecture, video, and interactive class group exercise. Hand-outs listing medications with corresponding information will be provided.

A - 503: STD/HIV-AIDS and Addiction (1 Cr. or 15 Hr.)

This course will provide the knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and addiction. Each section of this 15 hour course will be guided by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) adopted National Standards for addiction treatment. Included are the social, community, and personal life changes impacted by the effects of HIV/AIDS and addiction. Prevention, cultural significance, and professional competence in working with the HIV/AIDS addicted client will be highlighted. 

A - 504: LGBT, Human Sexuality, Cultural Issues & Addiction (2 Cr. or 30 Hr.)

This course will provide the knowledge and understanding of the behaviors, impact and consequences of sexual addiction on the addict, significant others and family members. Resources and treatment interventions will be presented. Didactic group exercises will present opportunities for participants to integrate knowledge and understanding of assessing healthy sexual behaviors from the persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behaviors acted out despite increased negative consequences in the collaborative treatment of substance abuse.

A - 505: Psychopathology & Domestic Violence

(3 Cr. or 45 Hr.)

This course will provide a concise definition of coexisting disorders and will teach the student the professional skills recommended in the best practices in treatment of the dually diagnosed client. In addition, there will be a detailed explanation of domestic violence and the co-existence in addiction treatment. Each section of this 45 hour course will be guided by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) adopted National Standards for Substance Abuse treatment. Experiential individual and group activities provide opportunities to critique case examples and implement substance abuse treatment for the dually diagnosed, or assess the signs and symptoms for referral of the client in the cycle of domestic violence.  

A - 506: Clinical Counseling Theory & Techniques - I

(2 Cr. or 30 Hr.)

This course will introduce the student to the basic elements of addiction counseling, addiction counselor skills, and competency requirements, and a host of counseling techniques utilized in individual, group, and family counseling with this population.  It will include role-play situations that will acquaint the student with practical application of the learned material.  Special attention will be given to cultural diversity and sensitivity with the addicted population.  It will explore motivational methods as they regard the stages of change addiction clients go through from problem identification to recovery and examine legal and ethical issues involved in counseling addiction clients.
 

A - 507: Clinical Evaluation (2 Cr. or 30 Hr.)

This course will provide a concise definition of intake, screening and assessment, including the necessary skills and tools for completion. Each section of this 30 hour course will be guided by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) adopted National Standards for Substance Abuse Clinical Evaluation. Focus will be on the legal and ethical issues, and data sources for culturally competent treatment need determinations to increase Professional Readiness. Experiential individual and group activities provide opportunities for the practical application of intake, screening and assessment in the treatment of addiction.

A - 508:  Treatment Planning, Implementations & Review (2 Cr. or 30 Hr.)

This course will acquaint the student with a definition of treatment planning and implementation.  It will also teach required legal inclusions and time frames and s well as techniques utilized to complete these processes. It will provide hands-on practice of treatment plan creation to acquaint the student with a practical application of the material learned.  It will also include a review of the legal and ethical issues that must be taken into consideration during each process.  It will include the importance of involving the client’s opinions in creating an individualized treatment plan and creating objectives that will be most appropriate for the clients, age, gender, cultural, educational, and spiritual needs.  It should prepare the student for successful completion of the MCAP/CAP/CAC exam in the area of treatment planning and updates to the plan.  Each section of this 30-hour course will be guided by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) adopted National Standards for Substance Abuse Treatment Planning and Continued Assessment and Treatment Planning indicated in the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (CSAT/SAMHSA) Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21, Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice.

A - 509: Case Management (1 Cr. or 15 Hr.)

This course will provide a concise definition of case management, consultation and referral processes and will discuss the professional skills for best practices of service coordination specific to the treatment of addiction. Each section of this 15 hour course will be guided by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) adopted National Standards for Substance Abuse Case Management including: Service Coordination, Consultation, and Referrals indicated in the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (CSAT/SAMHSA) Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21, Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice, pages 43-54. Experiential individual and group activities provide opportunities to critique case examples and implement substance abuse treatment case management skills.

A - 510: Clinical Counseling Theory & Techniques - II 

(2 Cr. or 30 Hr.)

This course will introduce the student to the advanced elements of addiction counseling, addiction counselor skills and competency requirements, and a host of counseling techniques utilized in individual, group, and family counseling.  It will include role play situations that will acquaint the student with practical application of the learned material.  Special attention will be given to cultural diversity and sensitivity with the addicted population.  It will explore motivational methods as they regard the stages of change addiction clients go through from problem identification to recovery and examine legal and ethical issues involved in counseling addiction clients.  It will also explore the use of cognitive behavioral problem solving therapy.    

A - 511: Client, Community & Family Education

(1 Cr. or 15 Hr.)

This course will provide the addiction counselor with resources and skills necessary for working with family and community prevention, education, and treatment of substance dependence/addiction. Each section of this 15 hour course will be guided by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) adopted National Standards for Substance Abuse Addiction Treatment Education including: information on risks related to psychoactive substances and the recovery process indicated in the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and the /Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21, Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice. 

A - 512: Clinical Documentation (1 Cr. or 15 Hr.)

This course will provide the knowledge and skills for the accurate record keeping of all client-related data within the treatment process from the client’s initial screening to the discharge summary. Each section of this 15 hour course will be guided by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) adopted National Standards for Substance Abuse record and documentation guidelines indicated in the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (CSAT/SAMHSA) Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21, Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice.  Examples of addiction treatment documentation will be provided for practical application exercises with special focus on federal and state laws governing the confidentiality rights of the client in recovery from addiction.  

A - 513:  Clinical Supervision (1 Cr. or 16 Hr.)

This course will provide the knowledge and skills for administrative, clinical, and evaluative process of monitoring, assessing, and enhancing counselor performance specific to the treatment of addiction in the role of supervision.. Each section of this 15 hour course will be guided by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) adopted National Standards for the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (CSAT/SAMHSA) Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21, Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice. Models of supervision will be described and processed in class presentations.

A - 514: Laws & Ethics in Counseling (2 Cr. or 30 Hr.)

This course will provide the knowledge and skills which meet the obligations of an addictions counselor to adhere to accepted ethical and behavioral standards of conduct and continuing professional development.
Each section of this 15 hour course will be guided by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) Professional Code of Ethics. Case examples, role play, and ethical dilemma problem solving will be provided in experiential group exercises.