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Studies & Degrees in Chemical Dependency

Chemical dependency is an older name for what health services now usually call addiction or substance use disorder: a harmful pattern of use of, or dependence on, alcohol or other drugs. As a field of study it trains people to assess, counsel and support those who are affected, and their families. Colleges also teach it under names such as addiction counseling, addictions counseling or alcohol and drug counseling.

The World Health Organization (WHO) places drugs in a wider group of psychoactive substances that also includes alcohol and nicotine. It estimates that about 296 million people aged 15 to 64 had used psychoactive drugs in 2021 and that about 39.5 million people are affected by drug use disorders. The US National Institute on Drug Abuse describes drug addiction as a complex disease in which quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Programmes therefore combine knowledge of how substances act on body and behaviour with counselling skills: interviewing, assessment, treatment planning, group work, ethics and supervised practice in a treatment setting.

Qualifications and levels

In the United States, where most of the schools on this page are, the subject is closely tied to state licences and credentials. The requirements differ from state to state.

  • Associate degrees. Two-year community colleges offer associate degrees that prepare for entry-level work. Century College in Minnesota offers an Associate of Science degree in Addiction Counseling, taught through a mix of daytime, evening and online courses.
  • Certificates for graduates. Century College also has a 27-credit certificate for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. It prepares for the written examination required for the state licence.
  • Bachelor's and master's degrees. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors typically need at least a bachelor's degree, although some positions require a high school diploma and others a master's degree.
  • State credentials. In New York the credential is the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). The state office OASAS requires applicants to be at least 18, to document a minimum of 6,000 hours (about three years) of supervised work experience and at least 350 clock hours of education and training, and to pass an examination.

Century College explains how this works in Minnesota. Since 1 July 2008 a bachelor's degree has been required to become a licensed addiction counselor there. Graduates of its associate degree can apply for a temporary permit to practise under the direct supervision of a licensed counselor while they complete a bachelor's degree, for a maximum of five years.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 4 active schools for chemical dependency: two in the United States, one in Ukraine and one in Russia. The US schools are community colleges: Century College in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York. The other two are medical universities, Bukovinian State Medical University in Chernivtsi and Rostov State Medical University in Rostov-on-Don.

Hudson Valley Community College offers an associate degree in Addictions Counseling. Its coursework is designed to meet the application requirements for the New York CASAC, and students graduate with 336 work hours that count towards the work requirement of that credential. The college notes that the programme does not prepare students for practice outside the CASAC rules of New York State.

The US programmes are taught in English. Because credentials are issued by each state, international students should check whether a US qualification is accepted in the country where they want to work.

Careers

Graduates work as addiction counselors in treatment centres, hospitals and community services. BLS notes that addiction counselors may work with psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, physicians and registered nurses to develop treatment plans, and that some work with clients who have been ordered by a judge to receive treatment or with specific groups such as teenagers or veterans. Those without a licence can work in support roles: Century College mentions the alcohol and drug counselor technician, who carries out screening, intake interviews and orientation.

BLS projects that employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors in the United States will grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 50,500 openings a year.

Frequently asked questions

Is chemical dependency the same as addiction counseling?

In practice, yes. Chemical dependency is the older term; colleges now mostly use addiction counseling or substance use counseling for the same field.

Can I work as a counselor with a two-year degree?

It depends on the state. In Minnesota a bachelor's degree is required for the licence, and associate degree graduates can work under supervision with a temporary permit, according to Century College. In New York the CASAC is based on education hours, supervised work experience and an examination.

How long does it take to become a credentialed counselor in New York?

OASAS requires at least 6,000 hours of supervised work experience, which it describes as about three years, plus 350 clock hours of education and training and an examination.

Are there jobs in this field?

In the United States, BLS projects 18 percent employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors.