Alcohol & Drug Counselor Orientation

Question

Hi all! I just wanted to share something as I'm really excited. I went to the Alcohol & Drug Counselor certification class orientation last night. It was awesome! Right now Im in my last semester in college and will graduate with my 2 year AA in Social and Behavioral Sciences. That's all fine and good but it doesn't so much make me employable in what I want to do. I want to be a substance abuse counselor and to do that you have to get a recognized certification. I'm going with the CAADAC certification as its recognized in 49 states. 

Anyways, the orientation was SO FRIGGN COOL! Students from the following year came to speak and they are already working in programs. So I'm just sharing my joy here. This may sound kinda nerdy but I dont have many friends...part of my recovery has been completely cutting ties with everyone I used to get loaded with which left me alone. Ive been so caught up in school and trying to get healthy for the last couple years, I haven't made many new friends. I really consider my MH friends....friends. I wanted to share my joy with someone so I'm posting it here. You guys have been great!

So, I have to chose what school I want to go to. One offers the program over a 6 month period while the other over 18 months. Ones a community college while the other is a university. Im just weighing my options...but I'm doing it. I'm so excited to learn and then apply it in the field. Life is soooo good clean! 

I hope everyone has a blesses weekend!

Evan

ricart70 · Accepted Answer

This is just awesome  Evan !!!   I am happy for you my friend !  ;)
I know exactly what you mean about the friends . It is a major component in my staying clean that I don't associate with them any more than life makes necessary .   I would go to the university in case you want to do more schooling later the credits would probably be more tansferrable .  
    Best of luck to you friend,although,you won't need it maybe you can start your own rehab one day ;)))    call it  "Evans Palace O' sobriety"

SmilingBright · Answer

Wow Evan!!!!!  I'm so proud of you and happy for you.  How fitting for you!!! You were one of my buddies who helped me along w your kind words and knowledge.  I know you will do great living in Gods will for your life.   Personally I would choose the university route as well.  Sooooo excited for you buddy.  Love ya Chris

Heather8448 · Answer

THAT is so cool, this is something in the future I would like to do..always been a dream of mine! Congrats in doin it!!

FourJays · Answer

Evan,
What an inspiring post!  I think that you would make an excellent abuse counselor, no matter what program you choose to enroll in.  You have a way with words for sure; informative and firm, yet compassionate and from the heart.  You have really turned your life around and now you will be able to help others do the same.  Sounds like this is most definitely your calling!  I am so happy for you and wish you the very best of luck my friend :))

Molytex · Answer

Congratz - taking a weakness and making into a strength :o) That is sooo cool... Hope you get your dream job

ariley13 · Answer

Congrats! That is so wonderful that you are going to be giving back. I am proud of you!

ActingBrandNew · Answer

Thanks Toothy, Ric, and Vic! You guys are great! -`ღ´-

toothfairie · Answer

I'm SO happy for you Evan!!  this is great news!!!  you will make a great addiction counselor....you have the brains and the compassion to go far with it....kudos to you my friend!  way to turn a negative into a positive and give back!!  and you will make friends again....and you will always have us crazy a$$ MH peeps!!  haha  so proud of you!!!

VICourageous · Answer

I am SO SO happy to hear this. I have sat here behind this computer for many, many months and all this time I thought YOU would be SO good in some area Like this..I kept thinking of Kids in school..I never miss anything you post or reply because I even learn from you. You have been one of the most Inspiring and Good Hearted person I have known on here.This is YOUR Calling and YOU wear it well..SO PROUD.
OH! I must be Nerdy too because I have no clean friends either..Hahaha
Also I am excited because I get to go share with the kids at school here in the future..Just got to take care of me and family right now..lol

Bless U my Freind

ActingBrandNew · Answer

Thanks so much for your kind words! They really mean a lot! This is what I want to do and going to the orientation last night just made it all real so to speak. The program costs a lot but I will be able to pull it off and its worth it. Your definitely right about the considerations in choosing a program. The post graduate employment opportunities carry the most weight for me which is why I'm leaning to towards the longer one at the university....not to mention the curriculum is a tad more appealing. I just look at the other program and being able to finish it in 6 months and its hard not to take that route...either way, Im doing it and Im so happy you share my joy with me. Thanks!

selfinduced · Answer

Man I must be hormonal! Your post had me tearing up. I never want to mention the odd's of pill addicts staying clean, cause it's counter productive, but to see a man like you that has gotten clean, really payed attention to the mechanic's of the process and have a passion to pull others out of the ditch as a career.This is a true testimonial of how a bad experience can turn into a miraculous blessing. I can see you traveling around with a team and doing teen interventions for families at a loss of how to save their kid. A consideration on which program you choose will most likely boil down to cost, convenience, and post graduate employable opportunities within the school's connections. In any case, your post just made my week. Much luck

ActingBrandNew · Answer

Thanks Rosy and Dig! Im looking forward to learning. At the orientation they said there is a high demand for substance abuse counselors and since everyone will have health insurance because of Obama care, everyone will be able to pay for treatment now so counselors are needed. Im just excited and wanted to share my joy with someone so thanks for letting me share it with you guys.

digger1976 · Answer

So very well done Evan, pushing forward and showing the way for us all! You would make an excellent counsellor, one of the best men I ever talked to was an ex Heroin addict, it makes it so much easier for people to accept you when you truly understand through real experience. You can learn so much from books but until you actually walk the path there is a lot you don't understand. Just imagine how many people you can help and in doing that your own life will become so rewarding! I'm proud to call you my friend! Way to go man!

Dig, ;)

ROSYouralright · Answer

WOw Evan that is AMAZING my friend! You are really doing it and WOW what a great counselor you will be! From Cali to Texas you inspire and coach... Just imagine what you are going to do one on one. You are and will make such a huge difference in this world!! SOOOO very excited and proud for u!