Recovering Patients Launch Professional Lives by Attending Sovereign Health's Alcohol and Drug Study Program

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Aug. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- It's remarkable how a moment can change the course of an entire life. Cornelius came to Sovereign Health, a national behavioral health system, for treatment; he is now enrolled in the company's comprehensive 45-week Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Program in pursuit of a career as a Certified Alcohol/Drug Counselor. The competency-based educational program meets the certification standards of the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals, and provides the training needed to succeed in the challenging field of addiction counseling and treatment. Sovereign is proud to help the next generation of addiction counselors reach their professional goals, especially when they come from the ranks of recovered substance users.

The program provides the required education, knowledge, training and skills needed to be effective in the treatment of alcohol and other drug dependencies and use. The highly-rewarding work of drug and alcohol counseling aims to support patients and families dealing with addiction and mental health issues when they need it most and can change individual's and families' lives for the better.

"Arguably, the most important parts of the recovery process happen after patients leave the treatment center," says Andrew Thompson, Ph.D., Academic Project Manager at Sovereign Health. "Patients who remain engaged with a network of people who understand the chronic nature of addiction and can provide continuing support tend to have the best long-term outcomes. This education and certification program benefits patients by keeping them immersed in a therapeutic context, and it benefits the treatment industry by training counselors who can bring their own unique experiences with the recovery process to the table."

The course topics in the curriculum are consistent with Technical Assistance Publication Series 21 and the 12 Core Functions as required by state regulations and International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium standards. After satisfactory completion of all the classes and the required 255 hours of supervised internship, students are eligible to take the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium Alcohol/Drug Counselor written examination. After passing the exam, prospective counselors must then complete an additional 3,000 hours of documented work experience in the field to achieve Certified Alcohol/Drug Counselor – Level 1 status.

"As an instructor, it is my highest hope that students learn to positively impact the lives of the clients whom they will serve," says Patrice Haire, CAADAC Instructor. "When a former client becomes a student and is empowered to this degree with the possibility of helping and serving those still suffering from the effects of substance use disorders, it is indeed miraculous. I believe Aristotle said it best— 'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.'"

To learn more about this highly rewarding career, contact Carley Sarmiento at (949) 276-3222, extension 1950, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time or visit sovinstitute.com.

About Sovereign Health

Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities.

Sovereign Health provides treatment for mental health issues, including trauma, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and eating disorders. Sovereign's facilities are licensed and have been awarded Gold Seal accreditation by The Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation available in the behavioral health field. For more information, visit sovhealth.com.

SOURCE Sovereign Health

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