Substance Use Counselor Training Program

Become a certified substance use counselor–start your journey today!

Earn your certification. Change lives. No cost to you.

Whether you’re transitioning to a new career or already working in the field and seeking certification, we’ve got you covered with full tuition and assistance every step of the way.

Applications for Palomar College are open now through May 8 or until full.
See more training and application dates here.

Earn your certification. Change lives. No cost to you.

Whether you’re transitioning to a new career or already working in the field and seeking certification, we’ve got you covered with full tuition and assistance every step of the way.

Applications for Palomar College are open now through May 8 or until full.
See more training and application dates here.

What’s a substance use counselor?

Substance use counselors provide professional support to individuals struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. They work in various settings, including:

Mental health and community health centers

Hospitals and rehabilitation facilities

Prisons and correctional facilities

Private practices

As a counselor, you’ll play a vital role in guiding individuals and their loved ones through recovery, ensuring access to the resources they need.

A man with glasses and slicked-back hair wears a black button-up shirt and a beaded necklace with a circular pendant, posing against a neutral gray background.

What you get from the program

Comprehensive Training
12-course program completed in just six semesters (two courses per semester)

Flexible Learning
Online, hybrid or in-person classes available

Hands-On Experience
255 paid internship hours at an approved agency while in school

Full Tuition Coverage
At UCSD, Palomar College or City College

Certification Support
We cover CADTP registration and renewals, exam prep courses, textbooks and a $375 certification fee

Supportive Services
Access to bus passes and gas cards (as available)

Job Placement Assistance
Pathway to full-time employment after graduation

Ongoing Support
Guidance until you earn your CADTP Counselor Certification

Eligibility requirements

You have lived experience and a passion for helping others

You can commit to two courses per semester and passing grades

You’re 18+ and live/work in San Diego County

How the program works

From application to job placement, here’s what you can expect at every stage:

Apply

Submit your application online (when applications are open)

Attend training

Engage in coursework and hands-on learning

Complete internships

Get real-world experience

Get certified and hired!

Receive job placement assistance

Program locations, details and dates

See important dates, eligibility requirements and overviews for each location.

Palomar College

Summer 2025

Applications are open now through May 8 or until full. Click here to apply. For more information about when to enroll and Palomar College’s academic calendars, visit the Palomar College website.

Training: 6/2/2025-8/23/25
Application Window: Open from 4/17/2025–5/8/2025 or until full

Eligibility requirements: To be eligible for enrollment in courses at this college, you must be 18+, fully vaccinated and live in and plan to work in San Diego County.

Course options: Courses are available in-person and online; some online courses require live instruction. 

Course overview: 

  • Introduction to Alcohol and Other Drug Studies  
  • Physiology/Pharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs 
  • Prevention, Intervention, and Education  
  • Group Leadership and Process  
  • Case Management, Law and Ethics  
  • Chemical Dependency Family Counseling ONLY 
  • Directed Field Experience  
  • Directed Field Experience ll   
  • Introduction to Psychology 
  • Psychology of Abnormal Behavior  
  • Social Problems or Introduction to Sociology III 

Timeline: 11 courses over 18 months 

UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies

Spring 2025
Training start date: 6/23/2025
Application window: Opens 5/8/2025–5/29/2025 or until full

Fall 2025
Training start date: 9/22/2025
Application window: Opens 8/7/2025–8/28/2025 or until full

Eligibility requirements: To be eligible for enrollment in courses at this college, you must be 18+, fully vaccinated (two shots and booster), unemployed or underemployed, live in and plan to work in San Diego County, must have been sober for one year and cannot be dual enrolled in another education or training program. 

Course options: Courses are available in-person and online; some online courses require live instruction. 

Course overview: 

  • Cultural, Social, and Historical Overview of Alcohol and Drug Related Problems 
  • Introduction to Counseling Models 
  • Addiction and Recovery: Etiology and Physiology  
  • Addiction Science: Psychology and Pharmacology  
  • Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery  
  • Applied Skills for Group Dynamics and Facilitation 
  • Co-Occurring Disorders  
  • Addiction Problems: Prevention, Public Health, and Public Policy 
  • Advanced Intervention  
  • Crisis Intervention: Theory and Practical Skills  
  • Basic and Advanced Counseling Skills and Characteristics  
  • Practicum for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor 

Timeline: 12 courses over 18 months  

San Diego City College

Fall 2025
Training start date: 8/25/2025
Application window: Opens 6/10/2025–7/1/2025 or until full

Eligibility requirements: To be eligible for enrollment in courses at this college, you must be 18+, fully vaccinated, and live in and plan to work in San Diego County.

Course options: Courses are available in-person and online; some online courses require live instruction. 

Course overview: 

  • Introduction to Chemical Dependency 
  • Chemical Dependency Family Counseling Techniques 
  • Law, Ethics, and Skills in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling 
  • Principles of Sociology 
  • General Psychology 
  • Case Management in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling 
  • Pharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs 
  • Co-Occurring Disorders in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling 
  • Group Dynamics in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling 
  • Introduction to Counseling 
  • Internship Seminar: Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling 
  • Internship: Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling OR Work Experience in Chemical Dependency 

Timeline: 12 courses over 18 months  

Program locations, details and dates

Click on the providers below to view important dates, eligibility requirements and overviews for each location.

Palomar College

Semester & Application Dates

Summer 2025

Applications are open now through May 8 or until full. Click here to apply now. For more information about when to enroll and Palomar College’s academic calendars, visit the Palomar College website.

  • Training: 6/2/2025-8/23/25
  • Application Window: Open from 4/17/2025–5/8/2025 or until full

Eligibility & Course Overview

Eligibility requirements

  • 18+ years old
  • Fully vaccinated
  • Live in and plan to work in San Diego County

Available course options

  • In-person
  • Online
  • Note, some online courses require live instruction

Course overview

  • Introduction to Alcohol and Other Drug Studies  
  • Physiology/Pharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs 
  • Prevention, Intervention, and Education  
  • Group Leadership and Process  
  • Case Management, Law and Ethics  
  • Chemical Dependency Family Counseling ONLY 
  • Directed Field Experience  
  • Directed Field Experience ll   
  • Introduction to Psychology 
  • Psychology of Abnormal Behavior  
  • Social Problems or Introduction to Sociology III 

UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies

Semester & Application Dates

Spring 2025

  • Training start date: 6/23/2025
  • Application window: Opens 5/8/2025–5/29/2025 or until full

Fall 2025

  • Training start date: 9/22/2025
  • Application window: Opens 8/7/2025–8/28/2025 or until full

Eligibility & Course Overview

Eligibility requirements

  • 18+ years old
  • Fully vaccinated (two shots and booster)
  • Unemployed or underemployed
  • Live in and plan to work in San Diego County
  • Must have been sober for one year
  • Cannot be dual enrolled in another education or training program

Available course options

  • In-person
  • Online
  • Note, some online courses require live instruction

Course overview

  • Cultural, Social, and Historical Overview of Alcohol and Drug Related Problems 
  • Introduction to Counseling Models 
  • Addiction and Recovery: Etiology and Physiology  
  • Addiction Science: Psychology and Pharmacology  
  • Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery  
  • Applied Skills for Group Dynamics and Facilitation 
  • Co-Occurring Disorders  
  • Addiction Problems: Prevention, Public Health, and Public Policy 
  • Advanced Intervention  
  • Crisis Intervention: Theory and Practical Skills  
  • Basic and Advanced Counseling Skills and Characteristics  
  • Practicum for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor

Timeline: 12 courses over 18 months

San Diego City College

Semester & Application Dates

Fall 2025

  • Training start date: 8/25/2025
  • Application window: Opens 6/10/2025–7/1/2025 or until full

Eligibility & Course Overview

Eligibility requirements

  • 18+ years old
  • Fully vaccinated
  • Live in and plan to work in San Diego County

Available course options

  • In-person
  • Online
  • Note, some online courses require live instruction

Course overview

  • Introduction to Chemical Dependency 
  • Chemical Dependency Family Counseling Techniques 
  • Law, Ethics, and Skills in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling 
  • Principles of Sociology 
  • General Psychology 
  • Case Management in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling 
  • Pharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs 
  • Co-Occurring Disorders in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling 
  • Group Dynamics in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling 
  • Introduction to Counseling 
  • Internship Seminar: Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling 
  • Internship: Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling OR Work Experience in Chemical Dependency

Timeline: 12 courses over 18 months

How to apply

Applications for Palomar College are open now through May 8 or until full.

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Begin your application (it takes 10-15 minutes)
2. Answer the supplemental questionnaire following your application
3. Wait for our team to respond about next steps—we will respond within 3-4 weeks

Questions?

Read our FAQs, email us at hello@workforce.org or call (619) 319-WORK (9675).

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