Employment
growth rate for Addiction Counseling professionals is soaring.
August 8, 2018, Jersey City, NJ –
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) recognizes that addiction is a
chronic disease and a critical issue locally, nationally and
globally. To help address the high demand for competent, trained
individuals to treat addiction, the College will offer a new
Associate in Science (A.S.) degree program with a Human Services
option in Addiction Counseling starting this September.
“Addiction comes in many forms, and it
can – and does – ruin lives and tear families apart.
However, addiction is highly treatable,
and Hudson County Community College is committed to educating
professionals to guide individuals through recovery,” stated Dr.
Chris Reber, President of HCCC.
The 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and
Health reported that 21.5 million Americans aged 12 and older battled
a substance abuse disorder. The cost of drug abuse and addiction to
American society is estimated to be $200 billion a year in health
care, criminal justice, legal, and lost workplace
production/participation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports
the median annual salary for Addiction Counseling professionals is
$43,300. According to U.S. News
& World Report, the
employment growth rate for this field is projected to be more than 20
percent by 2026 – a faster rate than any other occupation.
In the HCCC degree program, students will
learn the skills needed to fulfill the educational requirements for
becoming a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). These include
assessment, counseling, case management, client education, and
professional responsibility. Students will also develop an
understanding of addiction, gain knowledge of the fundamental effects
of addiction on drug/alcohol users and their families, and learn the
biophysical impact of substance abuse. While in the program, students
can also begin to fulfill the 3,000 hours of related work experience
required for certification.
After earning this degree, students may
gain employment at substance abuse treatment facilities, including
drug/alcohol treatment clinics, mental health centers, community
health centers, prisons, and private practices. The HCCC program also
prepares graduates to transfer to four-year institutions for
baccalaureate degrees in Human Services/Social Work, or other related
fields.