Overview:
Over 1 million people in North Carolina suffer from addiction. However, there are less than 500 active Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialists (LCAS) in North Carolina. One of the major challenges North Carolina faces in providing quality care for individuals with chemical and behavioral addiction centers on the lack of quality addiction specific training needed to become a LCAS. The North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB) requires LCAS applicants complete 180 units (12 semester hours) of addiction specific coursework as part of the licensure process. North Carolina Central University became the 8th university to receive the Criteria C Substance Abuse School in February 4, 2016. As such, NCCU’s Counselor Education Program’s Addiction Studies Program is authorized to offer addiction specific training and an Addiction Studies Program Certificate leading to licensure as a LCAS.
The NCSAPPB requires LCAS applicants possess a Master’s Degree in a human service field with a clinical application (i.e., counseling, social work, psychology, etc.). Therefore, applicants for the Addiction Studies Program Certificate must either be: 1) currently enrolled in a regionally accredited Graduate Counselor Education program or related human service program with a clinical application; or 2) hold a Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution in Counselor Education program or a related human service field with a clinical application.
Licensure as a LCAS will provide individuals the opportunity to apply for certification as an International Certified Advance Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICAADC). This credential has reciprocity in 48 states and over 25 countries.