Section 1.09. Alcohol and drug counseling.

 

(1)   Use of title and scope of practice.

(a) A person credentialed by the board may use the title “alcohol and drug counselor" or “chemical dependency counselor" only if he or she is certified as an alcohol and drug counselor or as a chemical dependency counselor through a process recognized by the department.

(b) A person who is credentialed by the board may treat substance use disorder as a specialty if the person is credentialed under s. 440.88 , Stats., or satisfies the educational and supervised training requirements established in this section.

(c) Pursuant to s. SPS 161.01 (3) (b) , a person who is licensed by the board may provide substance use disorder counseling, treatment or prevention services within the scope of the person's license.

(d) Any credential holder may do all of the following:

1. Prepare a client for substance dependence treatment by referral.

2. Continue to work with a client until a referral for dependence treatment is completed.

3. Continue to work with the non-AODA issues of a person who had been referred for dependence treatment.

4. Continue to treat a client who is in recovery following treatment for substance dependence.

(2)   Specialty requirements for credentials requiring a master's degree. To be authorized to treat substance use disorder as a specialty, a credential holder who has obtained a master's degree for a credential issued by this board shall meet all of the following:

(a) A minimum of 135 contact hours of substance use disorder education, which may be obtained during the course of earning the degree or additional to the degree. The education shall be in all the following areas:

1. Understanding addiction.

2. Knowledge of addiction treatment.

3. Application to addiction practice.

4. Professional readiness in addiction treatment.

(b) A minimum of 200 hours of face-to-face client treatment with individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders, under the supervision of a qualified supervisor, which can be either the same as or separate from the hours obtained for the credential issued by the board.

(3)   Specialty requirements for credentials requiring a bachelor's degree. To be authorized to treat substance use disorder as a specialty, a credential holder who has obtained a bachelor's degree for a credential issued by this board shall meet all of the following:

(a) A minimum of 180 contact hours of substance use disorder education, which may be obtained during degree or additional to the degree. The education shall be in all the following areas:

1. Understanding addiction including all of the following:

a. Knowledge of drug use, abuse, and interaction.

b. Understand a variety of models and theories of addiction and other problems related to substance use.

c. Recognize the social, political, economic, and cultural context within which addiction and substance abuse exist, including risk and resiliency factors that characterize individuals and groups and their living environments.

d. Describe the behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social effects of psychoactive substances on the person using and on the person's significant others.

e. Recognize the potential for substance use disorders to mimic a variety of medical and mental health conditions and the potential for medical and mental health conditions to coexist with addiction and substance abuse.

2. Treatment knowledge including all of the following:

a. Describe the philosophies, practices, policies, and outcomes of the most generally accepted and scientifically supported models of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care for addiction and other substance-related problems.

b. Recognize the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment and recovery process.

c. Understand the importance of research and outcome data and their application in clinical practice.

d. Understand the value of an interdisciplinary approach to addiction treatment.

3. Application to practice including all of the following:

a. Understand the established diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders, and describe treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care.

b. Describe a variety of helping strategies for reducing the negative effects of substance use, abuse, and dependence.

c. Tailor helping strategies and treatment modalities to the client's stage of dependence, change, or recovery.

d. Provide treatment services appropriate to the personal and cultural identity and language of the client.

e. Adapt practice to the range of treatment settings and modalities.

f. Be familiar with medical and pharmacological resources in the treatment of substance use disorders.

g. Understand the variety of insurance and health maintenance options available and the importance of helping clients access those benefits.

h. Recognize that crisis may indicate an underlying substance use disorder and may be a window of opportunity for change.

i. Understand the need for and the use of methods for measuring treatment outcome.

4. Professional readiness including all of the following:

a. Understand diverse cultures, and incorporate the relevant needs of culturally diverse groups, as well as people with disabilities, into clinical practice.

b. Understand the importance of self-awareness in one's personal, professional, and cultural life.

c. Understand the addiction professional's obligations to adhere to ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the helping relationship.

d. Understand the importance of ongoing supervision and continuing education in the delivery of client services.

e. Understand the obligation of the addiction professional to participate in prevention and treatment activities.

f. Understand and apply setting-specific policies and procedures for handling crisis or dangerous situations, including safety measures for clients and staff.

(b) A minimum of 1,000 hours of face-to-face substance use disorder treatment experience, under the supervision of a qualified supervisor, with individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders which can be either the same as or separate from the hours obtained for the credential issued by the board.

(4)   Qualified supervisors. A qualified supervisor is a person who is knowledgeable in psychopharmacology and addiction treatment and is any of the following:

(a) A clinical supervisor as defined by s. DHS 75.02 (11) .

(b) A licensed marriage and family therapist.

(c) A licensed professional counselor.

(d) A licensed clinical social worker.

(e) A licensed psychologist.

(f) A licensed physician.

(g) An individual, other than an individual specified in pars. (a) to (f) who is approved in advance by the board.

(5)   Continuing education. To maintain the authority to treat alcohol or substance dependency or abuse as a specialty, a credential holder must complete at least 6 continuing education hours during each biennial credentialing period in substance abuse disorder. The continuing education may be counted toward the continuing education required for renewal of the underlying credential.

History: CR 02-105 : cr. Register October 2002 No. 562 , eff. 11-1-02; CR 04-044 : renum. MPSW 1.09 to be (1) (a) and am., cr. (1) (b) to (d) and (2) to (5) Register January 2005 No. 589 , eff. 2-1-05; correction in (1) (a) to (c), (3) (a), (b), (4) (a) 1. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6. , 7. , Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671 ; CR 14-063 : r. and recr. Register November 2015 No. 719 , eff. 12-1-15; correction in (1) (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats., correction in (4) (a), (g) made under s. 35.17 , Stats., Register November 2015 No. 719 .