| Our nation faces an unprecedented drug and alcohol addiction problem, and unfortunately it doesn't appear to be getting any better. Consequently, there is a growing demand for professionals that to help aleviate and address this dilemma both on an individual and societal level. Substance abuse psychologists and counselors work exclusively with patients, families and communities who are deally with the crippling affects of addiction. They work at hospitals, health care clinics and private practices, but most work at drug and alcohol rehabilitation and mental health centers where they're able to treat their patients in a contolled setting. Substance abuse psychologists spend quite a bit of their time talking with their patients and trying to discover the underlying emotional reasons driving their addictions. Often substance abuse psychologists must not only help their patients deal with the physical pain of withdrawal but the mental and emotional impact as well. Another important aspect of a substance abuse psychologist's job is to equip their patients with the skills required to remain clean and sober once they've been released. They will typically touch base with their patients after they've been released to check their progress, provide emotional support and encourage them to return for treatment if they've relapsed. The first step to becoming a substance abuse psychologist or counselor is to enroll in an accredited bachelor's degree program in psychology our counseling. Once you've completed your bachelor's degree you'll then need to complete a doctoral program in psychology or a related field of study. Most colleges don't offer psychology programs in substance abuse psychology specifically, so you'll need to choose a program that will allow you to tailor your curriculum to include courses addressing substance abuse and addiction treatment and counseling. Most doctoral level programs will take 4 to 6 years to complete. Once you've completed all education requirements, you'll be required to pass an exam and get licensed by the psychological boards that regulate the practice of psychology in your state. Licensing requirements will vary from state to state but most state boards require students to pass an exam and fulfill an approved internship/residency program before receiving their license. Below you'll find a comprehensive list of the colleges and universities offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs leading to a career in substance abuse psychology and counseling. | |
| Troy University Troy, AL | |
| John F Kennedy University Pleasant Hill, CA | |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FL | |
| University of South Florida Tampa, FL | |
| Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI | |
| Boise State University Boise, ID | |
| Adler School of Professional Psychology Chicago, IL | |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Chicago, IL | |
| Indiana Wesleyan University Marion, IN | |
| Martin University Indianapolis, IN | |
| University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA | |
| Allen County Community College Iola, KS | |
| Butler Community College El Dorado, KS | |
| Garden City Community College Garden City, KS | |
| Kansas Wesleyan University Salina, KS | |
| Morehead State University Morehead, KY | |
| Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY | |
| McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA | |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LA | |
| Our Lady of Holy Cross College New Orleans, LA | |
| Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LA | |
| Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, LA | |
| The University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA | |
| Coppin State University Baltimore, MD | |
| Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD | |
| Sojourner-Douglass College Baltimore, MD | |
| Cambridge College Cambridge, MA | |
| Curry College Milton, MA | |
| Springfield College Springfield, MA | |
| Oakland University Rochester, MI | |
| University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI | |
| Montana State University Bozeman, MT | |
| University of Great Falls Great Falls, MT | |
| Antioch University New England Keene, NH | |
| Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ | |
| Montclair State University Montclair, NJ | |
| The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ | |
| Canisius College Buffalo, NY | |
| Mercy College Dobbs Ferry, NY | |
| New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NY | |
| Saint Joseph's College-New York Brooklyn, NY / Patchogue, NY | |
| Appalachian State University Boone, NC | |
| East Carolina University Greenville, NC | |
| The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC | |
| The University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC | |
| Jamestown College Jamestown, ND | |
| University of Mary Bismarck, ND | |
| Ohio Christian University Circleville, OH | |
| Tiffin University Tiffin, OH | |
| University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH | |
| Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH | |
| Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OK | |
| Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, PA | |
| Clarion University Clarion, PA | |
| La Salle University Philadelphia, PA | |
| Saint Vincent College Latrobe, PA | |
| Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, PA | |
| Waynesburg University Waynesburg, PA | |
| Rhode Island College Providence, RI | |
| University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD | |
| Richmont Graduate University Chattanooga, TN | |
| Amarillo College Amarillo, TX | |
| Austin Community College District Austin, TX | |
| San Antonio College San Antonio, TX | |
| The University of Texas-Pan American Edinburg, TX | |
| College of St. Joseph Rutland, VT | |
| Regent University Virginia Beach, VA | |
| The College of William and Mary Williamsburg, VA | |
| Marshall University Huntington, WV | |
| West Virginia Wesleyan College Buckhannon, WV | |
| Edgewood College Madison, WI | |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, WI | |
| Viterbo University La Crosse, WI | |