Answers to Consumer Questions

Question 16:    I am planning to start school in the winter in the Chemical Dependency program, I read through the house bill 2674. Can you tell me in simple terms , what I will be able to do with a two year AA degree? What is the potential income and job availability?  I am 56 years old and trying to start a new career.  I love to help people, however I do not want to make a choice that will not allow me to earn a living.  I live in the tri-cities area.  What does it mean when you can only renew 4 times? any information positive or negative about this would be greatly appreciated.

Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee (CDPT)

Your two year Associate of Arts Degree in Chemical Dependency is part of the requirement to be a "CDP" or Chemical Dependency Professional in a Washington State licensed outpatient or inpatient Chemical Dependency Treatment Facility. However, the AA degree is just part of the qualification. To become a CDP you must also serve as an intern and do 3,000 hours of supervised counseling. Generally the first half of the hours are unpaid. If you are a promising intern and the work is available, you may then begin to receive a salary while you complete the final half of your internship.

Since drug and alcohol counselors in the past were most often in recovery themselves and academic requirements were extremely low, the new requirement for an AA degree are creating a shortage of applicants.  Salaries tend to be lower than for other counselor specialties that require a Masters Degree.

Drug and Alcohol Counselor layoffs occur frequently as the number of clients at inpatient and outpatient facilities varies up and down with the season.  It seems that no one wants to start alcohol or drug treatment during the holiday season.  Before Thanksgiving, the number of new clients drops off until after Christmas and New Year's Day.   (In my first job as a CD counselor, I was laid off just before the staff Christmas party on the day before Christmas--years ago.)

The 2008 counselor law provides for the category of "Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee" (CDPT) means an individual working toward the education and experience requirements for certification as a chemical dependency professional. You may renew this category four (4) times as you work to complete the requirements. That means you have a total of five years to finish your requirements.

I strongly recommend that you visit at least two chemical dependency treatment facilities in your area and talk to the director or treatment supervisor about your possible career as a CDP. Ask them about the advantages and disadvantages of work as a Chemical Dependency Professional.  For some reason, people often don't think of consulting with those who are in the best position to know. 

 

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