Look for a two-year associate degree, four-year bachelor's degree or two-year master's degree in a human services field approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (see Resources). For example, consider majoring in a field such as rehabilitation counseling, social work or community mental health to make you eligible to become a CASAC.
Plan to earn your associate degree if you do not already have a degree, as this can be substituted for 1,000 hours of the required 6,000 hours of CASAC work experience. Otherwise, pursue your bachelor's degree, which counts as 2,000 hours of work experience, or focus on earning a master's degree if you already have an undergraduate degree -- which can be substituted for 4,000 hours of work experience in this field.
Complete classes on topics such as case management, treatment planning, self-help programs and clinical evaluation when dealing with both individual and group counseling settings. Study the mandated reporting of child maltreatment and abuse as well as counselor ethics and legal issues, and go over community, family and patient education requirements in this industry. In addition, review the specifics of nicotine dependence and tobacco use as well as the physical and pharmacological effects of other substances.
Take additional courses on the cultural, economic and social context in which substance abuse takes place, and learn the specific needs of addicts in different ethnic groups. Go over the value of community systems and social networks in a substance abuser's recovery process, and study relapse prevention. Additionally, review communicable diseases such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis and tuberculosis.
Complete a formal internship in the alcohol and substance abuse counseling field. Get hands-on experience with using various counseling strategies and developing treatment plans that accommodate patients' various stages of recovery. This also can count toward your required work experience to become a CASAC as well as help you to complete your human services degree requirements so you can graduate.