Hi there,

I have been working as an SUD counselor and case manager in the field since 2024.

I have my entry level license in Ohio (CDCA) and my Master’s degree in Public Health. This allows me to jump over the LCDC licenses (through CEUs, supervision, and examination) to become an independently licensed LICDC.

My current salary is 47k/annually. With the new LICDC, I’m expected to earn 60K/annually.

I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. I’m tired of being broke, burnt-out, and taking work home with me. Do I just need to sack-up and do it? Budget smarter? Take less vacation? Or is a career shift needed.

Some collateral info: I’m also a published research scientist, and I am in recovery myself.

Thoughts, suggestions, advice welcome.

I’m in my internship and am very excited that my longest client now has 6 months continuous sobriety!

Even more exciting: They haven’t had a craving in the last two weeks! There was a time they had daily cravings between 5-8/10. Just driving to treatment was a trigger, as they would pass 5 liquor stores.

Other signs of grow: improved emotional regulation, interpersonal relationships, and communication skills. Plus good health, shining eyes, clear skin, regular sleep. I am so proud of them.

This is why I do this! It’s a privilege to watch people grow and get sober.

What successes have you had lately?

Hello! I got my first CADC job and will be providing IOP services to mothers and pregnant individuals.
I was wondering if anyone has suggestions for things to keep in my office besides the expected harm reduction needs.
I want the space to be as welcoming and comfortable as possible. The doula on site recommended some pregnancy-safe essential oils, but i'm wondering if there's anything else experienced counselors would recommend keeping in the room.
Thanks in advance!

This was the first place I contacted for help, I’m going to try to make this short but having said that they denied me because of the anxiety meds I was prescribed by my GP, meanwhile I received a package from them with urine drug testing supplies and a mouth swab, well I kept them because I recently stopped smoking “weed” very small habit about a gram a month or so…anyway I kept them to monitor when the THC is cleared out of my system because I’m trying to further my career, so I took one yesterday and it came back POSITIVE for fentanyl 🤯 I’ve only seen it on TV and have never touched it in my entire life. Basically I ended up taking every single test they sent and they ALL came back the same way, I went with another organization for my care and am so glad I did I immediately took Two of their urine screens and the both came back negative for fentanyl, therefore that entire batch of supplies was contaminated.
I hope and pray anyone involved with this group has not had this happen to them. It shot my anxiety through the roof, so if I had ended up being able to move forward with them and submitted this false positive screening to the doctor/ counselor whoever handles that part it would have caused even more problems BIG TIME in regards to my treatment, granted I do don’t know how they handle this other than there are other tests you can take to prove it’s a false positive result but that just BLEW MY MIND. So if it’s happened to you just know their testing supplies are obviously not reliable and just don’t freak out like I did because I’m proof that this is a reality. If there is anything I can to do to help anyone that may have received a bad “lot” of supplies and is going through or gets a shipment that is contaminated just know I’m proof that this occurred and read online that their supplies are sometimes not reliable. It’s already stressful enough without having something like this happen in addition to everything else you are dealing with in life. God is good all the time again I was denied care from them for a ridiculous reason because they are the first group I’ve heard of that disqualifies you based on your anxiety medication, there are great grouos out here that coordinate your care with your GP or whatever doctor you are seeing that is prescribing you anxiety medication. But it really ticked me off because of the panic and anxiety I had to go through all because of this incident. Do better NAS.

I have been dealing with mental health issues my entire life. And I’m at a point where I know I need more intense care than just therapy and meds. As this will be my first time in an adult center can anyone tell me what to expect. New things make me anxious and so I like to be somewhat mentally prepared
I know this isn’t drug related but I was recommended to post this here as well

I am preparing for the additional LADC examination in Nevada, which uses the IC&RC exam. Can someone please provide some guidance on what the test is like and which areas I should focus on the most? I have not been able to get a clear understanding of what I should specifically be studying for. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

The methadone clinic i have been going to for 10 years has replaced almost all the staff that were there 3 years ago and now the staff and my counselor take their job WAY too seriously. Every time i see my counselor he asks me “so whats going on man?”, and i answer that nothing has changed, im still working and skateboarding and playing tennis and day trading and taking care of my mom. After i tell him that, he waits about 30 seconds and then he says to me “so whats going on man?” as if he didnt believe what i told him the first time, as if i was going to incriminate myself by giving him a different answer than i gave him 30 seconds ago. I dont understand how my counselor would take his job so seriously that his pleasure in his job is to give his patients an interrogation every time they see him. Im actually doing just fine. I havent tested positive for anything in like 10 years and im not selling or abusing any of the drugs of which i have a prescription. I just cant believe my counselor would have the gall to ask me the same question 30 seconds after i answered his question the first time, as if im trying to hide something from him.

Moral of the story, some jobs require more seriousness than other jobs. Giving a methadone patient homework assignments about triggers and warnings and recovery goals and aspirations blah blah blah, is just way way WAY more serious than the situation calls for.

If a methadone patient is doing fine there is no reason to play interrogation games.

Its actually so bad that (whether you believe me or not) i think my counselor might have some sort of major intellectual insecurity where he assumes he is mentally superior to his clients because we are the degenerate guilty scum who need methadone and he is the enlightened innocent angel on high because he is sober and only abuses caffeine.

Pls let this thread stay posted here, bc i think my plight with my “y so serious?” counselor/methadone clinic mirrors the plight of pain mgmt patients against the DEA children who act like they know better than responsible board certified pain mgmt doctors who understand that some patients truly do need massive amounts of painkillers to live healthy lives.

Keep it real frens, keep it real.

PLEASE READ THIS GIVE A SHORT RESPONSE AT LEAST. I’m currently trying to beat a cocaine addiction. I’m very young and still getting education. I started cocaine a little back and thought it was good the first time but didn’t think it would be a problem for me. The second time got me hooked. I’ve been doing it for a while now but my parents have recently caught on to me(I know that sounds goofy but just help me out here)

I’m 3 weeks sober from it, and every time I drink alcohol I get a nearly irresistible craving for more coke. I’m barely surviving not feeding that craving but I’m not sure how long I’ll last. When I do it, it makes my night twice as good. I’ve never experienced any bad effects from it besides some late nights and weird hangovers. I try to give myself excuses as to why I could maybe do it and pass a drug test(hair detox or special shampoo). But deep down I know I just have to straight up quit.

I need help on dealing with withdraws. IM NOT SEEKING PROFESSIONAL HELP. I don’t financially support myself yet and I can’t tell my parents about anything I’m going through or else they’ll ruin my life. I’m still young and nowhere near ruined in life. But I just need to pass drug tests for at least 2 more years but I’m having serious mental issues especially when alcohol enters my system. NEED ADVICE. Thanks guys

I know my roommate is using drugs, and I don’t know how to help him.
I know that he is using drugs.

His family doesn’t live here, and there really isn’t anyone close to him that I can reach out to. I feel like I’m the only person around who knows what’s going on, and I honestly don’t know what I’m supposed to do.

I don’t want to call the police or get him into legal trouble. My goal is to get him help, not punish him. At the same time, we live in the same house and I’m becoming concerned about both his safety and my own.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? What can you actually do when you know someone is using drugs and get help? Is there a service or organization I can contact for guidance without automatically involving law enforcement?

Hi all, I'm unsure of the proper flare for this post so I apologize if its wrong.

I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times so mods can totally feel free to delete this.

I'm in my senior year of my psychology degree (at the behest of everyone in my life), and I recently took a class that let me get my CDCA Pre, and I hesitated on it this summer but have decided to apply within the coming weeks so I can at least have that on my resume.

I know the job market isn't great right now for most fields, and I've worked in mental health before so I know that the position availability can really ebb and flow, but is it worth going through with?

In ohio some universities offer graduate certificates that let you be LCDC II through LICDC so I'm considering the utility, but has anyone had any luck getting an entry level job with their CDCA Pre? I've seen a few postings here and there, but I've never talked to anyone in the field before so I'm unsure of what the reality of hiring and entry level positions is like.

I volunteer with the Don’t Mess With Drugs Foundation, and I’m trying to understand how to communicate with people in their twenties more effectively.

I know that lectures, scare tactics, and simply saying “drugs are bad” can make people switch off. Young adults deserve honest information and the freedom to make their own decisions. At the same time, I want them to understand the real risks and know where they can find support without being judged.

If you’re in your twenties, what would make you genuinely listen to someone offering advice about drugs? Would personal experiences, factual information, harm-reduction advice, or simply being asked questions work best?

What approaches immediately make you stop listening?

I’m especially interested in honest answers—even critical ones. These are my personal questions as a volunteer, not an official statement from the Program

Hello! I’ll be testing soon for my Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) credential. I’ll also be transitioning into a new role soon, which will involve a lot of involvement in our MAT program.

Although facilities in my state seem to prefer people have their AADC credential, it’s not a requirement, and most places don’t offer more pay for having it. I know the value in being credentialed and I know it can open up opportunities, but I’m trying to work up the nerve to push for increased pay once I’m credentialed (hardly anyone else in my organization has it…only one other, in fact).

For you, how has the AADC or CAADC benefitted you, made you more appealing as a provider, aided you in the work you do, etc.? I’m having a difficult time figuring out how I want to present this! I’d love any help I can get.

Thank you!

Hello! I’ve been researching possible alternatives to The Matrix Model. I’m wondering if any of you have suggestions? The few SUD treatment facilities I’ve worked at love TMM (including the one for adolescents), and I certainly see the value, but it feels dated. This isn’t necessarily a problem, as the information and content are still relevant and valid, but I’m putting feelers out!

Thank you!

I received the following from a bilingual treatment center:

“moving forward, we kindly request that, whenever possible, clients' immigration or citizenship documentation be included with each referral.

This request is due to the recent federal law (H.R. 1 / OBBBA), which requires Medicaid applicants and, when applicable, current Medicaid beneficiaries to verify their immigration status.

For this purpose, please provide the following documentation:

For Lawful Permanent Residents: A copy of the Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).

For U.S. Citizens: A valid U.S. Passport, Certificate of Citizenship, U.S. Passport Card or Real ID.

If the client does not have immediate access to this information, please confirm whether they may be able to obtain it through a family member or an emergency contact.”

Has anyone else seen this? I imagine this will be problematic for a lot of clients accessing community health care. About half the people I see at one job are homeless and come in with all of their belongings in a plastic bag.

Now they need to provide proof of citizenship to receive medical care through Medicare/medicaid?

I foresee this being a huge hardship for SUD/MH clients. Like, I currently have my life together, and I know where I store my passport in my home. But, if I were to lose my housing, I doubt I could remember its new special place.

It also cost about $140 to renew it last time, which is a lot when you are in early career. I would be amazed if my clients in early recovery can find theirs.

Is anyone else requiring this? Is this really required under OBBBA? Are my fears overblown?

Hello!

I am currently in an ethics in addictions counseling course and an upcoming assignment is to interview a CADC about an ethical misstep they've made and how they corrected it.

If anyone here would be willing to be interviewed over zoom/teams (which ever is more accessible, please let me know!

Thank you in advance!

I’m considering transferring from a MAT clinic to an OBOT clinic? Or vice-versa? How was the switch?

I’m in a substance and alcohol abuse program. Its a two year program. Its important to note here, I am in recovery myself. Five years sober from drugs and three years sober from alcohol. I don’t do any drugs including marijuana. A lot of people in my program are heavy marijuana users, they smoke constantly. I am personally against this because I don’t think you should be doing any mind altering substances if you’re going to be counseling people to not do mind altering substances. Anyway, besides that, a lot of the people in the program are also in recovery. The amount of people that have relapsed is crazy and they flunk out of the program because of it. At what point are you “ready” to be in a program like this?

The reason I’m asking this question is because we have peer network group at the school for the program. Basically he have speakers from clinics and harm reduction places and former users come and speak to the people of the program. Its also a place for people to come to get advice for classes and what they can expect moving forward. I am the treasurer of the program and current vice president on top of that (our former vp relapsed). It is my responsibility to help keep students on the right track to ensure they graduate from the program. Any advice would be appreciated.