Academic Catalog 2020-2021

SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR ONLINE ACADEMIC CERTIFICATE

 The Substance Abuse Counselor Certificate at Bluefield College provides the academic coursework necessary for candidates for Certified Substance Abuse Counselor in the Com- monwealth of Virginia: (from CERTIFICATION PROCESS HANDBOOK for CSACs and CSAC-As VIRGINIA BOARD OF COUNSELING )  To achieve the credential of a CSAC, you must have a Bachelors degree and 220 clock hours of didactic training in substance abuse education from one of the following pro- grams: • an accredited college or university; or an integrated program approved by the Virginia Board of Counseling. *  The 220 hours of didactic training in substance abuse must include a minimum of 10 clock hours in EACH of the 8 areas below: 1. Understanding the dynamics of human behavior; 2. Signs and symptoms of substance abuse; 3. Treatment approaches, group dynamics and other adjunctive treatment and recovery support groups; 4. Continuum of care and case management skills; 5. Re- covery process and relapse prevention models;]6. Ethics; 7. Professional identity in the provision of substance abuse services; and, 8. Crisis intervention. 2. In addition to the above, each applicant is required to have at least 20 hours in each of the following 2 areas: 1. Substance abuse counseling treatment and planning and substance abuse research,  and, 2. Group counseling. *Note: The BC certificate program is designed to assist students in earning the CSAC credential from the Virginia Board of Counseling. Students should review the additional clinical education require- ments for CSAC in the CERTIFICATION PROCESS HANDBOOK For CSACs and CSAC-As VIRGINIA BOARD OF COUNSELING https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/counseling_handbooks.htm  The Substance Abuse Counselor Certificate program is an online program with eight-week terms, requiring the successful completion of 27 credit hours as follows: BHS 3103 Introduction to Drug Use and Abuse; BHS 3123 Addiction and Prevention; BHS 4103 Treatment Systems; BHS 4053 Counseling & Psychotherapy; BHS 4063 Group Dynamics; BHS 4123 Substance Abuse Counseling; BHS 4003 Case Management; BHS 4073 Internship I and II.  The Substance Abuse Counselor Certificate may be completed and earned independently of and prior to completion of a Bachelors degree. BHS 3103 Introduction to Drug Use and Abuse Introduction to Drug Use and Abuse serves as an overview of the phenomenon of drug use and abuse in society, beginning with an historical perspective and continuing to the present day. Psychological, physical, socio-economic, and spiritual ramifications of drug use and abuse are examined. Prescription and recreational drugs are addressed, with special atten- tion to commonly abused drugs. Drug abuse signs and symptoms as well as the role of the substance abuse professional in treatment, relapse prevention, and the recovery process are delineated. COURSES OF INSTRUCTION

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