Addiction Counseling Training Georgia: Start Your Certified Addiction Counselor Career
If you want a career where your compassion and resilience actually change lives, addiction counseling training Georgia is the first step. This guide breaks down the certification process, requirements, and practical steps for becoming a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) through the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA).
You don’t need a master’s degree or years of clinical experience to begin. You just need structure, mentorship, and the right education.
What Addiction Counseling Training in Georgia Involves
Addiction counseling training teaches you how to help people dealing with substance use disorders. You’ll learn the skills to screen, assess, and counsel clients while maintaining professional ethics and documentation standards.
Georgia recognizes two levels of certification through GACA:
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CAC-I (Certified Addiction Counselor I) — entry-level certification
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CAC-II (Certified Addiction Counselor II) — for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher
Your training lays the foundation for both.
Georgia CAC Requirements
The Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA) sets the standards for certification. Here’s what you need to qualify:
CAC-I Requirements
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270 hours of addiction counseling training
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4,000 hours of supervised experience
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120 hours of clinical supervision
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Passing the written CAC exam
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Signed code of ethics and background check
CAC-II Requirements
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Bachelor’s degree or higher in a human services field
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330 hours of addiction counseling education
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6,000 hours of work experience
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120 hours of clinical supervision
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Passing the written CAC exam
Step 1. Complete Addiction Counseling Training Georgia
The first step is finishing your education hours through a GACA-approved provider.
Educational Enhancement CASAC Online offers the 270-hour CAC-I training that satisfies Georgia’s educational requirement. You can complete all coursework online, at your own pace, with guidance from certified instructors.
Your addiction counseling training Georgia includes topics such as:
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Counseling and communication skills
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Client screening and intake
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Treatment planning and documentation
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Relapse prevention strategies
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Crisis management and ethics
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Cultural competence and diversity awareness
This foundational training prepares you for supervised work experience and the CAC exam.
Step 2. Gain Work Experience
You must complete 4,000 to 6,000 hours of supervised experience, depending on your certification level.
Approved work settings include:
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Outpatient and residential treatment programs
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Detox facilities
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Community behavioral health centers
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Correctional recovery programs
If you’re working full-time, that’s roughly two to three years. Keep detailed logs of your hours and supervision — you’ll need official documentation when applying to GACA.
Step 3. Receive Clinical Supervision
Supervision ensures you’re applying what you’ve learned safely and ethically. Georgia requires 120 hours of direct supervision by a GACA-approved clinical supervisor.
This supervision should include:
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Live observation of sessions
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Case reviews
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Discussion of ethics and boundaries
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Professional growth feedback
Document every session and keep your signed forms organized.
Step 4. Apply for the CAC Exam
Once your education, supervision, and experience are complete, submit your application to GACA for exam approval.
You’ll need to include:
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Proof of education hours
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Verification of experience and supervision
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A professional resume
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Signed ethics statement
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Application and exam fees
The CAC written exam tests your knowledge of counseling principles, addiction science, ethics, and client management. Educational Enhancement provides built-in quizzes and review materials to help you prepare.
Step 5. Get Certified and Start Working
After you pass your exam, GACA will grant your Certified Addiction Counselor credential. You’ll receive your certification number and can begin working in licensed programs across Georgia.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Your certification must be renewed every two years. Renewal requires:
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40 hours of continuing education (6 must be in ethics)
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Renewal application and fee
Educational Enhancement CASAC Online offers continuing education courses that meet GACA’s CE requirements, so you can maintain your credential online and on schedule.
Why Choose Online Addiction Counseling Training Georgia
Traditional classroom programs can be inflexible. Online training allows you to:
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Learn anytime, anywhere
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Work while completing your certification
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Save on travel and textbooks
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Get support from certified instructors
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Move at your own pace
With Educational Enhancement CASAC Online, you’ll get a GACA-aligned curriculum, quizzes, progress tracking, and certificates for every course completed.
How Long It Takes
Here’s what to expect:
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Education: 3–6 months for the 270-hour CAC-I training
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Experience: 2–3 years full time (faster with a degree)
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Exam prep: 4–8 weeks of steady study
If you’re already working in the field, you can complete your education while gaining experience.
Costs to Expect
Typical investment for the full process:
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270-hour CAC-I education: $2,000–$3,500
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Application and exam: $250–$400 combined
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Renewal every 2 years: $150
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Optional study materials: $50–$100
Payment plans and employer tuition reimbursement are often available.
Career Outlook in Georgia
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024):
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Median salary: $59,000 per year
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Top earners: $75,000+
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Job growth: Projected at 18% through 2032
Substance use counselors are in demand in Georgia’s hospitals, correctional programs, and community health agencies.
Why It Matters
Becoming a counselor isn’t about titles or paychecks — it’s about people. The ones who show up broken, scared, or unsure if change is possible. Through your addiction counseling training Georgia, you’ll learn how to meet them where they are and guide them toward recovery.
Every client you help rebuilds not just their own life, but the lives of those around them. That’s impact worth working for.
Your Next Step
Start your addiction counseling training Georgia today.
Educational Enhancement CASAC Online offers approved 270-hour programs that fit your schedule and your budget.
Take the first step toward your Certified Addiction Counselor credential and a career that changes lives.
