September is National Recovery Month, and whether you’re a counseling professional with numerous credentials and years of experience – or someone who is in recovery and wants to give back, there’s never been a better time to help others manage their substance addiction.
Recently, the 100 percent online University of Wisconsin-Madison Substance Use Disorders Counselor Certificate program offered through the UW Flexible Option was updated to reflect the latest best practices at the state and federal level.
The curriculum now includes:
- Information about Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) to help clients, as multiple medications have been approved for a wide range of addictions; and
- The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s recently released ASAM Criteria Fourth Edition, which is a comprehensive set of standards and decision rules that use a holistic, person-centered approach to determining the appropriate level of care and developing treatment plans for patients with addiction and co-occurring conditions.
MAT is currently being used by The Federal Bureau of Prisons, which combines FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapy to help adults in custody manage their substance use. Data shows the MAT approach helps reduce recidivism, relapse, and inmate misconduct while improving mental and physical health. This approach is especially helpful for those managing alcohol and heroin addiction, as many formerly incarcerated individuals are vulnerable to overdosing.
This is the second curriculum revision the SUD certificate program has completed since instructor Pat Gutierrez began in the program three years ago. Pat is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Substance Abuse Counselor (SAP) with 25 years of experience, 18 of them as a clinical supervisor. The revisions are a testament to the program’s attention to detail and commitment to ensuring students have the latest information. The changes also align with a rapidly changing field, and a growing need for substance use disorders counselors. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects demand for substance abuse counselors will grow 18 percent in the next 10 years—much faster than the average for all occupations.
If you’re interested in helping those managing substance use, the SUD certificate can help you learn more about trauma-informed care on your own schedule. As part of your coursework, you’ll complete practical assignments like writing a treatment plan. You can also engage with fellow students through reflection papers, offering comments and discussing topics further.
While successful completion of the program fulfills the 100-hour educational requirement for the Substance Abuse Counselor in Training (SAC-IT), set forth by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), as well as the 360-hour specialized educational requirement for Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) or Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) Certification, you are not required to seek licensure. You can simply complete the program to build your knowledge base and help more patients.
Interested in learning more? Contact a helpful enrollment adviser by calling 608-800-6762 or emailing flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.