Drug and Alcohol Counsellor

Program Highlights

During the first semester of your educational journey, you'll learn the fundamentals of the human experience and communities, such as interpersonal relationships, social behaviour, and aboriginal history and culture. First semester studies also include an introduction to the field of addictions.

Group process, addictions counselling, leadership skills, field and career orientation, social psychology and pharmacology will be your focus in second semester. Third semester courses focus on abnormal psychology, the legal and ethical aspects of counselling, group counselling, and the management of addictions. You will also explore advanced issues in addictions with a special emphasis on concurrent disorders and gambling. In your final semester, you will practice what you have learned in the previous three semesters in a relevant and rewarding province-wide field placement.

Success Stories

"My experience during this program was fantastic. It was worth every minute. My goal of making a career change into this field worked like a dream for me. When I graduated, I was prepared, because of what I learned at Fleming College. If I had a choice of any job, this is the one I would choose." Rick Mayoh
Trauma and Addictions Counsellor
Tungasuvvingat Inuit Mamisarvik Healing Centre, Ottawa

Why Choose Fleming

Fleming's Drug and Alcohol Counsellor program offers unique, broad-based training which enables graduates to work in areas that used to be available only to youth workers or social workers. When you graduate, you may choose to complete a four-year degree in the field through the University of Lethbridge.

Aboriginal Emphasis Initiative
Fleming College's Aboriginal Emphasis Initative is an inclusive approach to providing more understanding of Aboriginal peoples, communities and nations. You will have an opportunity to take courses designed from an Aboriginal perspective with emphasis on Aboriginal peoples, history, spirituality and culture. See the Aboriginal Emphasis Initiative page for courses available in this program.

Work Experience

Take your classroom experience on the road -- and apply it to one of many field placement opportunities across the province in Semester 4. Agencies may require a current police records check available from your local police department upon payment of a fee. You may also be required to provide a current Standard First Aid Certificate, a current Basic CPR Certificate (level C) and Proof of Immunization.

Is this You?

To work in this field, you need:

• empathy toward people "on the fringe"
• crisis management skills
• the ability to work as part of a team
• emotional maturity

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities include work in withdrawal management and residential facilities, in shelters, and assessment and referral agencies, as a counsellor, case manager, therapist or relief staff.  In particular, Aboriginal students are encouraged to consider this program, as First Nations communities are acknowledging a need for addictions counselling.

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12) 

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted. 

Mature Students

If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.

* Students starting in January are required to attend classes over the summer semester.

Related Programs

Interested in other helping professions? You might also consider the Social Service Worker program.

Health Requirements

Immunization Requirements

This program has immunization requirements. For more information, and to print the required immunization form, please see the Immunization Information page.

Additional Costs

You should plan to spend approximately $700 per year for books and supplies.

Transfer Agreements

• University of Lethbridge
• University of New Brunswick
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology

For more information see the Pathways to University page.