Last updated: March 7, 2026 CAADC Certification: Benefits & Application Requirements [2026 Update] What Is CAADC Certification? CAADC (Certified Advanced Addiction & Drug Counselor) certification is a highly respected credential in the addiction counseling field. This advanced certification builds upon the foundational CADC (Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor) credential, signifying extensive expertise and education in...
Author: Judy Redman (Judy Redman)
Essential Skills and Qualities for Drug and Alcohol Counselors
Table of contents TL;DR Summary What Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Do? Educational and Certification Requirements State Requirements Educational Programs Key Qualities of a Great Substance Abuse Counselor 1. Interest in Human Behavior 2. Empathy 3. Group Management Skills 4. Resource Navigation 5. Compassion and Commitment Career Opportunities and Advancement Work Environments Job Outlook Advancement...
How Teachers Can Contribute to Teen Addiction Prevention (Guide)
It’s every parent’s nightmare to find out their teenager is hooked on drugs or alcohol. There is some good news. In America, teen addiction rates have dropped significantly since their peak in the 1990s. But there’s still cause for concern. A survey conducted in 2018 found that nearly 30% of American 8th to 12th graders...
How to Become a Registered Alcohol/Drug Technician (RADT) in California: A Step-by-Step Guide for Aspiring Addiction Counselors
RADT Certified TL;DR: A Registered Alcohol/Drug Technician (RADT) is California’s entry-level credential for working in substance abuse treatment settings. To get certified, you’ll complete CCAPP-approved coursework, a 9-hour orientation, and submit a straightforward application. It’s the fastest way to start a career in addiction counseling — and a proven stepping stone to the full CADC...
Recognizing the Warning Signs of Drug Addiction: What You Need to Know
Drug abuse is rampant in the United States. Almost 20 million people over the age of 12 currently struggle with an untreated substance use disorder. Statistics on drugs don’t get much bleaker than that. Indeed, substance abuse can have a profound impact on someone’s life. Caught in the throes of addiction, everything from physical, emotional,...
What Personality Traits Make a Successful Behavioral Health Assistant?
Mental illness is rampant in the United States. Shockingly, around 1 in 5 American adults experience mental illness in any given year. That’s 20% of the entire population suffering from a life-altering disease. There’s never been a greater need for passionate, caring people to enter the mental health profession. Are you thinking about doing exactly...
Behavioral Health and Peer Mentoring: Rewarding Peer Specialist Jobs and Opportunities
1 in 5 teenagers struggles with a mental disorder. Who better to help these teens than people who have had personal experience with mental illness? Having a job as a peer specialist is rewarding. Keep reading to learn about peer specialist jobs and opportunities. Useful Definitions “Peer” can have different meanings depending on the context....
Get in the Know: Here’s What It Takes to Be a CAADE Educator
The National Institution of Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that alcohol and drug abuse-related crimes, injuries, and lost work productivity cost the US $740 billion every year. But the drug addiction epidemic in the US has done more than rack up a hefty bill. Each year, families and friends lose loved ones to overdose. And thousands of...
The 4 Benefits of Becoming a Behavioral Health Assistant
Did you know that 1 in 5 adults in the United States suffers from some form of mental illness? Mental disorders also affect children, the elderly and are a major problem for the homeless population. It’s more important than ever that the country provide and maintain a strong support system for those in need of...








