What is the Certification for an Addiction Therapist in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, there are several jobs within the addiction therapy field that you can choose to become certified for. Certification is granted by the South Dakota Certification Board for Alcohol and Drug Professionals. Certifications granted by the organization include chemical dependency counselor trainee, chemical dependency counselor levels one through three, prevention specialist trainee, prevention specialist, chemical dependency counselor trainee, chemical dependency counselor levels one through three, prevention specialist trainee, and prevention specialist. Each of these titles will carry with it different responsibilities and different things that you must do in order to qualify for the certification. Many people pursue one particular credential and then later go on to upgrade. You should choose whichever certification is right for you. Always remember, however, that you are never locked into one particular position. There is always room to move on and grow within the field.

You can become a trainee in any of the levels indicated above if you do not have all of the qualifications to meet the actual certification level. This is a great alternative for those who want to try their hand at working in the field without completing a great deal of formal education. In order to qualify as a trainee, you must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and you must complete at least nine semester hours in general drug and alcohol abuse information, alcohol and drug group counseling, and ethics for counseling professionals within a two year period after you receive your trainee status. You will also be required to take ten tests over a period of five years, allowing you to complete the requirements for full certification. During this time, you must receive at least eight hours of supervised, hands on training dealing directly with clients.

To become a certified counselor without first becoming a trainee, there are different paths you can choose from, depending on the level of certification that you wish to obtain. You can take educational paths that involve schooling and intensive learning and study on the subject or experience paths that require you to take courses and do a heavy amount of experiential learning and training. The experience path is usually chosen by those who are already working in the field or who have connections that would make it easier for them to realistically get in all of their necessary training hours.

The wonderful thing about all the choices in South Dakota is that you can find the choice that is exactly right for you. Your best course of action is to sit down and to realistically consider your own personality, how willing you are to attend school and for how long, and what your own individual career goals are. Really, the most important thing is knowing what you want to do and then taking the proper steps to make that happen. Some certifications are simply not enough to qualify for certain positions in the field. If you are unsure of which certification you will need to do your dream job, speak with a career counselor at a local college or university or do a bit of research online. You can also gain a lot of insight by contacting professionals who are working your chosen job in the field and asking them questions. Most of the time, they are flattered and more than happy to answer your questions and to help you in any way possible. This is usually because they remember all too well what it was like to want to work in the field but not to understand what it took to get there.

In today's world, knowledge is available everywhere, and you have it in your power to map out a career and educational path that will work for you. Just make sure you do so carefully and seek guidance, as described above, along the way. This will save you from wasting a lot of time and energy taking the wrong courses, getting the wrong education, or pursuing false certifications that don't really mean anything. All credits or certifications earned should come from an accredited institution that is reputable and well known in your community.