Addictions Counseling: A Competency-Based Approach is a comprehensive and essential resource for academics and organizations preparing students for certification and professional practice in the field of addiction treatment. Aligned with the credentialing standards of CACREP's Addictions Counseling specialty, the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), SAMHSA's TAP 21 core competencies, and NAADAC's ethical principles, this text equips students to meet state and international certification requirements for addictions counseling.

Using a comprehensive case study that follows a client from intake and assessment through discharge, this text integrates core competencies with real-world application. Each chapter identifies the competencies and ethical principles covered within, and is structured to promote the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for competent practice. Evidence-based strategies are woven throughout, offering practical tools and clinical examples to support each stage of the treatment process.

Additional topics include addiction theories, co-occurring disorders, culturally responsive care, DSM diagnosis, placement criteria, documentation, treatment planning, and other behavioral addictions. Two in-depth chapters on pharmacology explore prescription medications (including medication-assisted treatment), synthetic drugs, and herbal substances, highlighting their role in both misuse and treatment.

With its clear structure and applied focus, Addictions Counseling is more than a textbook - it's a bridge between academic preparation and professional excellence.