Alcohol and Drug Studies

History of the SJCC Alcohol and Drug Studies Program

The SJCC ADS program was developed in 1990 to provide an affordable opportunity for those interested in entering the substance abuse rehabilitation field as counselors and administrators. The program meets both CAADC and CAADE accreditation standards and continues to be the largest addiction counselor educator in Santa Clara County. Over twenty years later, our alumni are serving as administrators, program managers, and counselors throughout the county. Many have continued their education and have completed Bachelors and Masters degrees in both counseling and social work.

Philosophy

It is not surprising that so any of our students continue their educational path, as continued education has been a primary goal of the program from the outset. The program was designed as an academic transfer program because the emphasis in the ADS program is on “personal and professional development.” We recognize that the addiction field is requiring increasing education and certification with every decade that passes. While the ADS certification is a great goal, it is our hope that you will consider it a beginning goal as you develop a passion for lifelong learning.

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs)

• Demonstrate competent performance of the Twelve Core Functions and Global Criteria in their Supervised Practicum placements, as evidenced by written supervisor review in both Supervised Practicum A and B.
• Analyze and describe the physiological and pharmacological aspects of substance abuse and dependence. This includes how drugs affect different body systems, cause side effects, and impacts the community as a whole.
• Demonstrate the ability to competently conduct and follow a client from the point of program entry to discharge, and complete all treatment planning and case management connected to that case.
• Clearly identify themselves as professional counselors, committed to the CADAC ethical standards as evidenced by completion of the Ethics and Professional Developmental course, and the signed Ethics Code submitted in the Supervised Practicum A and B course.