The Goals and Principles of the CAADAC Organization

The eight major goals of CAADAC's certification system as formulated by our certification board:

1. Establish credibility, confidence and trust
2. Clarify and define counselor duties and responsibilities
3. Develop professional identity
4. Enhance incentive for counselor professional growth
5. Reduce alcohol/drug stigma
6. Provide professional assistance to clients
7. Increase potential of certification reciprocity
8. Increase reimbursement potential

Principles of Certification:

1. Certification is based on competence and knowledge about alcohol and drug problems rather than on academic achievement alone.
2. Authority for this certification comes from IC&RC/AODA, an international consortium of 60 member boards representing professionals working in chemical dependency who share a common concern for standards of competence.
3. The basic requirement for certification is the demonstration of competence in alcohol and drug counseling skills.
4. Application for certification is entirely voluntary.
5. Certification is offered to both members and non-members of the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors.