Which Credential is Right for You?

Deciding which credential will lead you to the career you are working towards, or advance your current career, can be difficult. We understand that there are multiple credentials with similar names, acronyms, and the requirements can become overwhelming. At ICAADA, our goal is to assist aspiring, and current, behavioral health professionals with gaining the credentials that will allow them to show employers, the community and the populations served, they have the competencies to provide appropriate, evidence-based, person-driven services Below you will find a brief description for our most sought after credentials and information that compares the different levels of those credentials. Please explore each one and see, based upon your current education, and experience, which may be the best fit for you!

Recovery Coach (Recovery Support professional)

Peer Recovery Support professionals are people who have been successful in the recovery process who help others experiencing similar situations. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, peer support workers help people become and stay engaged in the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Peer support services can effectively extend the reach of treatment beyond the clinical setting into the everyday environment of those seeking a successful, sustained recovery process. (SAMHSA 2017)

There are credentials available for both people in personal recovery from substance use, mental health or co-occurring issues and a credential for allies, family and loved ones of person with a substance use, mental health or co-occurring issues.


Alcohol and Drug Addiction Consultants (Clinical/Treatment professionals)

Certified Alcohol and Drug Addiction Consultant (CADAC) credentials are designed to be entry-level, to advanced-level, substance use treatment credentials (depending upon CADAC level). There are multiple levels to this certification based upon a person’s education, experience, and licensure (if held).


Addiction Consultant in Training (Entry Level Clinical/Treatment professionals)

Addiction Consultant in Training (ACIT) is an entry level addiction treatment credential for individuals employed in the addiction treatment field or enrolled as a college student in addiction treatment studies.

There are two levels to this credential based upon a person’s educational background. The ACIT II is the credential professionals who work, or aspire to work, in Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) will want to work towards obtaining.


Certified Prevention Specialist

Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) credentials are designed to be entry-level, to advanced-level, substance use prevention credentials (depending upon CPS level). There are multiple levels to this certification based upon a person’s education and experience.