Substance Abuse Counseling
The Associate of Applied Science Degree is a two-year program that consists of a total of 60 hours of SAC courses and academic courses that include English, Speech, Social Work, and Introduction to Computers.
Once completing the 39 SAC semester hours, including 320 hours of field work, the
student is eligible for a Counselor Intern licensure with the State of Texas and eligible
to work as an intern while completing the necessary 4000 Intern hours.
Once licensed as an Intern, are then eligible to sit for the licensing exam. Full
Licensure is granted after successful completion of the exam and internship hours.
Once State requirements are fulfilled, one is awarded credentials as a Licensed Chemical
Dependency Counselor, or LCDC.
The Licensure exam is administered through the Texas Certification Board (TCB). They are an autonomous arm of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals. The certification board is committed to the setting of counselor standards and protection of the public good.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate effective, ethical, multicultural care for a diverse group of individuals within the scope of practice of a professional counselor in the field of behavioral addictions and substance use disorders.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct professional screening, assessment, treatment planning, prevention and education, case coordination services, and documentation of those services as a Substance Abuse Counselor.
- Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the basics of counseling principles, theories and skills to include crisis management.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the various models and theories of behavioral addictions and substance use disorders and other problems related to addiction.
Communication Skills
Teamwork
Social Responsibility
Personal Responsibility
Computer/Technology Skills
Leadership/Management Skills
Career Information
Counselor Interns (CI) and LCDC’s are hired to support persons in need of help from addictions in various locations. In the criminal justice system, they are employed in both Prisons, Jails, Probation or Parole offices, transitional living centers and many other programs within the TDCJ system. Counselors also work in State licensed treatment programs at all levels of care from detoxification, residential, day treatment, intensive outpatient and outpatient programs. LCDC’s can also work for sober living residences and many non-profit agencies that have programs addressing substance use in the community as well as private counseling offices, local Mental Health agencies and hospitals.
Notes:
- Students must purchase liability insurance and complete a criminal background check, prior to beginning practicum hours in the DAAC 1164 and DAAC 1165 Practicum courses. The background check is good for one year so complete one month prior to beginning the practicum course. View Directions
- The following courses are required by the Texas Department of Professional Counselors licensing Board and MUST be taken to obtain Counselor Intern licensure after graduation: DAAC 2330 Multicultural Counseling, DAAC 1309 Assessment of Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders, DAAC 1164 Practicum, and DAAC 1165 Practicum.
| Course | Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| BCIS 1305 | Business Computer Applications | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| DAAC 1304 | Pharmacology of Addiction | 3 |
| DAAC 1311 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| DAAC 1317 | Basic Counseling Skills | 3 |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENGL 1301 | Composition | 3 |
| BIOL 1322 | Nutrition and Diet Therapy | 3 |
| DAAC 1305 | Co-Occurring Disorders | 3 |
| DAAC 1309 | Assessment of Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders | 3 |
| DAAC 2454 | Dynamics of Group Counseling | 4 |
| Third Semester | ||
| SOCW 2361 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 |
| DAAC 1319 | Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders | 3 |
| DAAC 2307 | Addicted Family Intervention | 3 |
| DAAC 2330 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| DAAC 1164 | Practicum (or Field Experience) - Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | 1 |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| DAAC 2306 | Substance Abuse Prevention I | 3 |
| DAAC 2341 | Counseling Alcohol and Other Drug Addictions | 3 |
| DAAC 2343 | Current Issues | 3 |
| DAAC 1165 | Practicum (or Field Experience) - Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | 1 |
| Total | 60 | |
| course | title | sch |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| DAAC 1304 | Pharmacology of Addiction | 3 |
| DAAC 1311 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| DAAC 1317 | Basic Counseling Skills | 3 |
| DAAC 2330 | Multicultural Counseling | 1 |
| DAAC 1164 | Practicum (or Field Experience) - Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | 1 |
| Second Semester | ||
| DAAC 1305 | Co-Occurring Disorders | 3 |
| DAAC 1309 | Assessment of Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders | 3 |
| DAAC 2454 | Dynamics of Group Counseling | 4 |
| DAAC 1165 | Practicum (or Field Experience) - Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | 1 |
| Total | 24 | |
*A student must be TSI complete in Reading and Writing
Lamar University
A student completing the LSCPA core curriculum is considered Core Complete.
A student may pursue a Bachelor degree in Social Work or a Master’s Degree in Counseling.
Is there a certification offered?
Upon successful completion of all courses and the practicum courses, students are eligible to apply for a Counselor Intern license with the State of Texas and eligible to work as an intern while completing the necessary 4000 intern hours.
What does a Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselor do?
A Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselor advises individuals who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, or other behavioral problems.
Where do Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselors usually find jobs?
Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselors are often employed in the prison system, both state and Federal, as well as in outpatient and in-patient treatment facilities, probation and parole offices, private counseling offices, local Mental Health agencies and hospitals.
How long does it take to get my degree?
The Substance Abuse Counseling Program is an associate degree program and for most students it takes two years to complete the degree.
What are the job opportunities for a Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselor?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Chemical Dependency/ Substance abuse counselors can expect a greater than average increase in job opportunities. Employment of graduates is projected to grow 23 percent from 2020 to 2030. About 41,000 openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Growth is also expected partly as a result of addiction and mental health counseling services are increasingly covered by insurance policies. In 2023 the average annual salary for experienced, fully licensed counselors within Texas metropolitan areas was reported as high as $76,640 annually. The average for an LCDC in the state is reported as $33,560 – $62,200, or $19 - $28 per hour.
If interested, a student should apply to Lamar State College Port Arthur and meet with an Enrollment Service Counselor. You should plan for a few additional expenses beyond tuition and books. Additional expenses may include a criminal background check and drug screening.
Prior to enrollment in the DAAC 1164 and 1165 Practicum courses, students must have a clear background check through CastleBranch. In addition, drug screening may be required.
Eligibility for full licensure is subject to the LCDC Criminal Standards outlined in Texas Administrative Code Rule 140.431.
Students must be 18 years of older before being registered for the DAAC 1164 and 1165 Practicum courses in the SAC program.
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Program
Texas Department of State health Services MC-1982
Mail Code 1982
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, Texas 78714-9347
Email: lcdc@hhsc.state.tx.us
Telephone: 512-834-6605
Fax: 512-834-6677
Website: Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Program
Program Coordinator: Kimberly Arrington, M.Ed., LPC
Office: Student Center 408
Phone: (409) 984-6307
Email: arringtonkd@lamarpa.edu
Adjunct Faculty: Linda White, MA, LPC-S, LCDC-I
Email: whitel@lamarpa.edu
Adjunct Faculty: Robert White, LCDC, LPC-A
Email: whiterl@lamarpa.edu
LSCPA's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is provided in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC § 1092(f), 34 CFR 668.46).
Overview
Associate of Applied Science
Certificates
Contact
- Kimberly Arrington, M.Ed., LPC
- Program Coordinator
- Office: Student Center 408
- 409-984-6307
- arringtonkd@lamarpa.edu
Academic Transfer Degree
Leads to a BFA degree in Social Work or a Master’s Degree in Counseling at a four-year college/university