At ICAM we offer the most comprehensive and in-depth addictions counselor course training program on the market. We also offer it for less than the other schools AND fully self-study so you can learn at your own pace in your PJ’s. Most of our courses can be translated into college credit hours, so please check with your local college if you are working on a degree.

Below we have the curriculum and breakdown of the syllabus of training in each class. Each class is a fully self-study integrated model. Once you complete each section within each course, you will have exam questions to complete as you go through the manual. You will need to obtain a passing (70%) to move to the next course. We offer the most comprehensive and thorough training for addictions counseling and substance use disorder training on the market, and we surpass most state and federal guidelines when it comes to credentialing education. If you have college credits, please consult us before registering as some of your classes may qualify.

***PLEASE NOTE*** The 255 hours in-person practicum is optional for most boards; however, it is required in the state of California. You can also purchase these courses individually or all of them at once to receive a tuition discount.

Our Curriculum and Syllabus are below for each class and the number of hours is listed next to each module. You will complete short exams interwoven in the materials to make sure you understand the information and to prepare you for each state, providence, or international examination.  Remember you can purchase each of these classes separately or together for a tuition discount. The practicum is optional for some state and federal boards, please verify if you need it or call us to help clarify exactly what you need to sit for the exams.

ICAM 100: Understanding Addiction/Treatment Knowledge (an overview) 80 hours

• Disease of Addiction
• Dual or Triple Diagnoses (mental illness, HIV, mental retardation)
• Etiology/Causation of Addiction
• History of Addiction and/or Addiction Treatment
• Involvement and Treatment of Family in Recovery
• Models of Treatment
• Other Substances and Behavioral Addictions
• Pharmacology and Physiology (including alcohol) 45 hours specific
• Physical Aspects of Addiction, Brain Science
• Relationship of Addiction to Health, Crime, and Other Social Problems
• Signs, Symptoms, Progression of Addiction
• Treatment Components
• Types of Service Modalities (residential, outpatient, etc.)
• Use of Support Groups

ICAM 101: Documentation: 15 hours

• Assessment, Treatment, Progress, Discharge or Transfer Summaries
• Clinical Documentation
• Electronic Health Records/Technology
• Privacy & Confidentiality
• Progress Notes
• Psychosocial Summaries
• Reports/Record Keeping/Records Management

ICAM 102: Counseling Theories and Techniques, both Group and Individual: 50 hours

• Client Progress Assessment and Response
• Counseling Theories/Techniques
• Developing a Therapeutic Alliance
• Evidence-based Practices
• Individual/Group/Family Counseling
• Motivational Interviewing
• Types of Treatment Programs/Levels of Treatment

ICAM 103: Application to Practice/Professional and Personal Growth: 80 hours

• Care for the CaregiverUnderstanding your limitations as a counselor
• Understanding burnout and compassion fatigue
• Crisis Intervention/Verbal De-escalation• Ethics and Ethical Decision-making
• Individual, Group, and Family Counseling Techniques
• Laws Governing Privacy, Confidentiality, and HIPAA
• Management and Leadership Skills
• Medication-Assisted Treatment
• Models of Treatment
• Observation and Communication Skills
• Rules and Regulations that Govern Full Continuum of Services and Referrals
• Special Population Needs/Cultural Competence
• Supervision Techniques
• Understanding Research/Translating Research to Practice
• Wellness, Alternative Therapies, Nutrition

ICAM 104: Treatment Planning: 30 hours

• Client Placement Criteria
• Developing Individualized Treatment Plans
• Drug Court/Correction-based Treatment/Policy/Theory
• Enhancing Client Choice/Client-Directed Care
• Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Treatment Protocols
• Intake/Orientation to Treatment
• Medication-assisted Treatment
• On-going Assessment
• Overcoming Barriers to Treatment Progress
• Special Population Needs
• Stages of Change and Treatment Goals/Interventions
• Treatment Goals and Measuring Success
• Treatment Planning/Models of Treatment

ICAM 105: Clinical Evaluation: 35 hours

• Addiction & Human Growth/Development
• Addictive Process
• Assessment Instruments, Procedures, and Techniques
• Client Engagement
• Client Matching to Service Array
• Detoxification
• DSM IV/Diagnosis Criteria / ASAM
• Motivational Interviewing
• Other Substance & Behavioral Addictions – Gambling/Smoking/Food
• Readiness and Motivation for Treatment
• Risk Factors/Risk Assessment/Risk Management
• Screening Instruments, Procedures, and Techniques
• Screening/Assessment for Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders
• Signs/Symptoms/Stages of SUD, Active Use and Withdrawal
• Urinalysis and Other Biological Assessments

ICAM 106: Client, Family and Community Education (includes Domestic Violence, Cultural Diversity Requirements): 50 hours

• Adult Learning Theory
• Anger Management Skills
• Changing Criminal Behavior/Criminal Thinking Errors/Offender Treatment
• Co-Dependency
• Cultural Diversity/Special Populations
• Domestic Violence
• Family Dynamics
• Group Facilitation/Styles of Presentation
• HIV/TB/Hepatitis C
• Life Skills
• Moral Development
• Theories of Counseling / Personality
• Toxicology
• Victim/Perpetrator Counseling

ICAM 107: Ethical, Legal and Professional Responsibilities: 45 hours

• Boundaries / Transference
• Computer Ethics
• Cultural Competence
• Ethical Decision Making / Code of Ethics
• Laws / Rules & Regulations
• Organizational Ethics
• Policy in Human Services
• Privacy / Confidentiality / HIPPA
• Relationships / Dual Relationships
• Sexual Misconduct

ICAM 108: Telehealth 15 hours

• What is telehealth
• Understanding client portals and EMR systems
• HIPAA compliant software programs
• Covid 19 Exceptions, considerations, and new models
• Limitations of Telehealth
• Documentation for online sessions
• DEA guidelines for prescriptions
• SAMSHA Guidelines
• Medicaid and Private pay guidelines
• Correct reporting techniques
• Health Privacy Rules
• Resources/links for more information

ICAM 109: Case Management and Referral: 45 hours

• Advocacy/Liaison Activities
• Case Management
• Community Resources/Services
• Confidentiality/HIPPA Issues with Referrals
• Consultation
• Continuum of Care/Placement
• Making Referrals
• Managed Care Systems
• Referral Outcome/Evaluation
• Self-help Groups
• Service/Care Coordination/Collaboration
• Special Population Needs

ICAM 200: Supervised Practicum 45 hours

The course includes supervision by a qualified instructor and includes direct supervision. The instructor must also be available for consultation while the student is completing fieldwork requirements.

ICAM 201: Supervised Fieldwork Practicum (Internship)

A minimum requirement of 255 hours of practical experiences performed at an agency approved by the aforementioned instructor. The student must complete all of the 12 Core functions at the internship site. Each core function requires a minimum of 21 hours of practicum. The application of knowledge and skills in a practice setting is essential to professional counseling. The fieldwork is the means by which students learn to apply and integrate acquired knowledge and values; and to refine skills that are taught in the classroom.