Major: Addiction Counseling
It's common knowledge that cocaine is an extremely addictive substance. Yet for years after it was first discovered in 1855, it was glorified as a magic potion. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, recommended it. Inventor Thomas Edison and actress Sarah Bernhardt promoted it. John Pemberton, who created Coke, included it in his original soft drink recipe. Not until 1920 was it outlawed by the federal government.
Today, we recognize the highly addictive nature of cocaine and other drugs, as well as cigarettes and alcohol. And we've learned that in addition to substances, certain activities, such as sex and gambling, can become addictions for some people, ruling and ruining their lives.
This major prepares students to help prevent substance abuse, counsel people with drug and alcohol problems, and provide other services to people suffering from addiction.
Did You Know?
- According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, less than 11 percent of substance abusers received proper treatment in 2006.
Are You Ready To...?
- Learn about the psychology of addition
- Practice your counseling skills with fellow students
- Participate actively in classroom discussions
- Write papers
- Complete an internship at a community agency
- Live a healthy, ethical lifestyle
- Consider joining the national psychology honorary society, Psi Chi
It Helps to Be...
Someone with a healthy lifestyle and a strong sense of ethics -- you’ll need to be a strong role model for your clients. Taking good care of yourself will have the added benefit of helping you avoid burnout. You'll do well if you can counsel people without judging them.
College Checklist
- Will the program help you prepare for licensure in the state where you’d like to practice?
- Does the school offer addiction counseling as a major in its own right, or is it a concentration within another major such as psychology or sociology?
- Do the program's professors work as substance abuse counselors in addition to teaching?
- What hands-on learning opportunities does the program provide?
- What do recent grads have to say about the program?
- Will the program help you find work after graduation?
Did You Know?
- In 2006, almost 82 percent of twelfth graders said that they disapprove of people smoking one or more packs of cigarettes a day.
Course Spotlight
Your education won’t be complete without an internship, also called a practicum. You should look forward to this chance to put your college studies to the test by counseling real people in need.
You might work in a hospital, a prevention program, or a special program within a school or prison. You might counsel people one-on-one, in groups, or both. You may find yourself feeling a little nervous at first, but don't worry -- you'll get plenty of supervision and support from agency staff and professors.
