Steps to becoming a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor

My journey into drug and alcohol counseling began at 37, after realizing I was deeply unfulfilled working in retail management. I’ve always been guided by the value of service and wanted to use my experience in long-term recovery to help others, so I left my job and began working as a case manager at a men’s homeless shelter. Over time, my skills and passion for helping others grew, leading me to a role as a peer support specialist at SIU Medicine’s Support Team for Addiction Recovery Treatment (START). With encouragement and guidance from my clinical supervisor, I decided to pursue my CADC certification — a step that transformed my career.

What is a CADC?

A Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) is a professional credential issued by the Illinois Certification Board (ICB). CADCs provide substance use counseling across various settings, performing tasks such as:

• Screening and assessing individuals entering treatment
• Facilitating group therapy sessions
• Conducting one-on-one counseling

As they gain experience, CADCs may also supervise peer support specialists, mentor new counselors or transition into administrative and treatment planning roles.

Where do CADCs work?

Most CADCs work in substance use treatment centers, which may be:

• Residential/inpatient programs, where clients live on-site during treatment
• Outpatient programs, where clients attend sessions and return home afterward

In addition, CADCs are often employed in homeless shelters, community living centers and nonprofits that focus on improving lives through recovery services and case management. Their training equips them to assess client needs, connect individuals with services and deliver evidence-based support.

How to become a CADC

The CADC certification process can feel overwhelming, but becomes manageable with guidance and persistence. The certification process is mostly self-guided and there are multiple ways to fulfill the requirements.
Here’s an overview of the steps required by the Illinois Certification Board (ICB):

1. Education

Before you can apply for certification, you’ll need to meet specific education requirements focused on alcohol and other drug (AOD) counseling. These courses give you the foundational knowledge you’ll draw from throughout your career.

• Minimum requirement is a high school diploma or GED
• Complete 225 hours of ICB-approved AOD education
• Training can be completed through self-study, college courses or a CADC training program. Keep certificates of completion to submit with your application.

Tip: Use the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA) website to find approved courses and confirm eligibility for college credit. I was able to complete my education hours using a combination of previously earned college credits in counseling related courses and self-study courses I found on the IAODAPCA website.

2. Work Experience

Your education provides the foundation — now it’s time to apply what you’ve learned in real-world settings. Hands-on experience is where you’ll develop practical skills, build confidence and gain a deeper understanding of client needs.

• As of July 1, 2025, candidates must complete 2,000 hours of paid work experience in substance use counseling.
• Job titles must include “counselor” or “counseling” and reflect direct work with clients.
• Many treatment centers will employ uncredentialed AOD counselors and provide on-the-job experience, education and supervision.

Tip: Some positions that are similar but hold different titles will not immediately qualify. However, a letter from your supervisor may help verify experience. My work experience as a peer support supervisor was initially rejected, but was approved after verification.

3. Supervision

This step is vital for new counselors to have oversight and guidance throughout their 2,000-hour work experience period. Questions around ethics, boundaries and service delivery are learned not only through education, but through the practical application of counseling principles.

• 150 hours of direct supervision are required.
• Supervision can come from a clinical supervisor, program director or qualified professional familiar with CADC competencies.
• This step ensures ethical, effective service delivery and ongoing professional development.

Tip: Use your supervision hours intentionally. Bring real scenarios, ethical questions or boundary challenges to discuss. These conversations help turn theory into confident practice.

4. The Exam

The final step is passing a 100-question multiple-choice exam at an ICB-approved testing site. The exam covers all areas of CADC core competencies outlined in the educational portion of the certification process.

Tip: A study guide is available for purchase through the ICB website and helped me prepare.

What I learned along the way

In the beginning, I was confused about whether each step needed to be completed before starting the next. I was fortunate to work with an experienced CADC who encouraged me to seek ongoing clarification from the ICB whenever I felt unsure.

Here are a few tips that helped me through the process:

• The ICB application is now fully digital, allowing you to upload documentation as you progress.
• You can submit an incomplete application to receive feedback on missing requirements.
• You’ll have one year from your initial submission date to complete all steps.
• Expect fees throughout the process (education, application and exam).
• Many employers offer financial support for staff pursuing certification, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Becoming a CADC is both challenging and rewarding. The process helped me grow not only as a professional but as a person in recovery committed to serving others. My biggest takeaway? You don’t have to do it alone. Seek out a mentor who can guide you through the steps, answer questions and celebrate your progress.

If you’re beginning this journey, I’d be happy to help. Feel free to reach out at mlantgen28@siumed.edu.

Written by Matt Lantgen, CADC, CRSS
Matt Lantgen is the Peer Support Supervisor at SIU’s START Clinic. Before entering the helping field, he spent 15 years in retail management. His career in behavioral health began as a case manager with Helping Hands, and in 2023 he joined SIU as a Peer Support Specialist. Since then, he has earned both his CRSS and CADC credentials.

Matt is married with three children and enjoys spending time with his Great Danes, traveling and tackling DIY projects. As a person in recovery, he is passionate about giving back and dedicates much of his time outside of work to supporting others on their recovery journeys.