Working with NAADAC to
Express Your Professional
Identity
Presented by:
Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, NCAC II,
CCDC II, SAP
Presented By
Seminar Objectives
 Participants will learn about their ethical commitment to
promote the health of their communities and profession.
 Participants will learn about their ethical obligation to engage
in advocacy to change public policy and legislation.
 Participants will learn about their ethical responsibilities
regarding competence, education and training.
Question and Answer session at the end of the program.
History of the Profession
Addiction professionals are extremely
passionate about recovering and improving the
lives of others and contribute to the betterment
of society.
However, the addiction profession has not
always existed as an individual entity.
History of the Profession
Carved out of a niche of professional
counselors, social workers and mental
health clinicians, addiction professionals
have had to define a distinct professional
identity within the helping profession.
Professional Identity Defined
 Professional identity = the set of attributes, beliefs,
values and experiences by which professionals
define themselves.
 NAADAC’s Code of Ethics speaks directly to the
obligations of an addiction professional and is used
as a guideline for professional identity development.
Professional Identity Defined
In relation to professional identity, the Code of Ethics
outlines four obligations of addiction professionals:
1) Promoting the health of the profession and
community
2) Engaging in public policy and the legislative process
3) Maintaining credentials
4) Obtaining education and training
Professional Identity Obtained
NAADAC, The Association for Addiction
Professionals, can help addiction
professionals build their professional
identities and fulfill their ethical obligations at
the same time.
Professional & Ethical Obligations
Principle 6: Rights and Duties
I understand that justice extends beyond individual
relationships to the community and society; therefore, I
shall participate in activities that promote the health of my
community and profession.
The most best way to meet this obligation is to join a
professional organization that exclusively represents
addiction professionals.
Professional Membership
The dedication and commitment of addiction professionals
are key reasons why millions of Americans are in recovery
from alcohol, drug abuse, and other addictive disorders.
The assurance of continued excellence in this area depends
on the ability of the professionals who provide treatment for
addictive disorders to be proactive and involved.
This can be achieved by becoming a member of a
professional organization like NAADAC.
NAADAC Membership
 NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, is the largest
membership organization serving addiction counselors, educators and
other addiction-focused health care professionals, who specialize in
addiction prevention, treatment, recovery support and education.
 With 8,000 members and 54 affiliates, NAADAC's network of addiction
services professionals spans the United States and the world.
 NAADAC offers membership for Professionals, Students, New
Professionals, Retirees and Organizations.
Levels of Membership
Professional Membership - Open to individuals who are engaged as
addiction professionals.

Includes membership in the local affiliate if one exists in your local area,
full voting rights and discount privileges.
 Dues range from $85 to $180, depending on your state.
Associate Membership - Individuals who are working towards
qualification, licensure or certification in the addictions profession.

Includes membership in the local affiliate if one exists in your local area.
 Membership benefits are the same as a Professional member.
 Dues are based on 75% of Professional Membership.
Levels of Membership
Student Membership - Open to individuals who are students at
a college or university, students involved in full- or part-time
internships or student members in good standing of an Affiliated
Association.
 Proof of student status is required.
 Dues range from $35 to $92.50, depending on your state.
Retired Membership - Open to current members of the
Association who are 65 years or older and have retired from the
profession.
Benefits of Individual Membership
1) Access to cutting edge information on clinical and professional issues
2) Over 30 online CEs free exclusively for NAADAC members
3) Reduced rates on national certification, specialty endorsements and
qualifications
4) Reduced rates for NAADAC-developed continuing education
trainings, conferences and independent study courses
5) Reduced rates on all NAADAC publications
6) Free subscription to NAADAC’s official magazine, Addiction
Professional
Benefits of Individual Membership
7)
Access to the award-winning NAADAC News, the association’s publication
only available to NAADAC members
8)
An influential and effective voice for addiction professionals before
Congress and the federal administration
9)
A 20% discount on all Hazelden Publishing and Educational Services
(PES) resources
10) A 25% discount off new subscriptions to Substance Abuse Funding News
11) Special discount rates on comprehensive professional liability insurance
with no deductible and access to a legal hotline that is exclusive to
NAADAC members and provides 2 free hours of legal assistance to
prevent claims against you
Benefits of Individual Membership
12) A professional identity which helps preserve and honor the unique
talents of addiction professionals
13) Eligibility to apply to become a distinguished member of
NAADAC's Speaker’s Bureau
14) Networking opportunities through national and state conferences
and workshops
15) Opportunities to enhance your leadership skills
16) A nationally recognized Code of Ethics to promote professional
standards of conduct
Additional Student Membership Benefits
By 2018, the need for addictions treatment professionals is expected to
increase by 21%.
Demand for professionals with graduate level degrees is expected to
increase by 35%.
 NAADAC offers a way for students and new professionals to connect with
their peers in the profession, engage in the process to become an
addiction professional and enter into the certification/licensing process.
 Student/intern malpractice insurance now available at $37/yr
 Career classifieds
Organizational Membership
Organizational Membership with NAADAC adds prestige,
visibility and recognition as being a part of the nation’s
largest addiction-focused professional association and will
show commitment to the future of the profession.
 NAADAC Supporter
 NAADAC Approved Education Provider
 NAADAC Premier
NAADAC Supporter Organizational Membership
NAADAC Supporter Organizational Membership ($500 every two years)

One free career ad on the NAADAC website ($300 value)

One free e-blast annually to members (5,000 emails), which is a $1,000
value

Access to NAADAC endorsed discounted commercial products (malpractice,
D&O, Liability & Health Insurance, Urine Analysis and computer software
products)

NAADAC-LAN connection for Advocacy issues on health care reform,
addiction, mental health parity and other legislative and funding issues

Advertisement on NAADAC’s website, www.naadac.org. NAADAC receives
over 66,000 visits a month.
NAADAC Supporter Organizational Membership
NAADAC Supporter Organizational Membership ($500 every two years)
 Advertisement in Addiction Professional, the official NAADAC magazine
 Advertisement in NAADAC News, NAADAC’s bi-monthly publication
 Use of the NAADAC logo for your website, stationery, business cards
and exhibit booth
 Plaque to publicize your membership in NAADAC
 Reduced rates for NAADAC membership and access to discounted
educational and professional resources
NAADAC Approved Education Provider
NAADAC Approved Education Provider ($400 every two years)
 Accredits trainers/educators to offer trainings to addiction
professionals to fulfill their continuing education credits for
credentialing and licensing.
 These trainers/educators train both members and non-members,
within the country and around the world.
 Includes one free listing in NAADAC’s annual Directory of Education
and Training published online and in the NAADAC News.
 Includes acceptance by the NAADAC Certification Commission as a
provider for NCAC and MAC re-credentialing requirements
NAADAC Approved Education Provider
 Colleges and universities can also be approved education providers.
 Students will be allowed to take an NCC examination and hold their scores for up to
four years as they work to complete the additional requirements for state
certification.
 Benefits = student is most familiar with addiction curriculum and recruits them into
the addiction workforce early
 We have a collaborative committee that is working on national addiction studies
standards - This committee includes delegates from NASADAD, HCBU,
ATTCs, INCASE and CACREP.

Example: Washington state has unified all college-based addiction coursework
through an education coalition so students can matriculate into any of the approved
colleges without losing credit. This reduces individual certification monitoring for
education requirements.
NAADAC Premier Organizational Membership
 NAADAC Premier combines an
organizational membership with an
approved education providership.
 $800 for 2 year membership – savings of
$100
Premier Organizational Membership
Benefits
 Two free career ads on the NAADAC website ($300 value)
 Two free e-blasts annually to members (5,000 emails), which is a
$1,000 value
 Approved Provider status for your educational workshops and
conferences (must meet eligibility requirements)
 One free listing in NAADAC’s annual Directory of Education and
Training published online and in the NAADAC News
 Acceptance by the NAADAC Certification Commission as a provider
for NCAC and MAC re-credentialing requirements
Premier Organizational Membership
Benefits
 Access to NAADAC endorsed discounted commercial products
(malpractice, D&O, Liability & Health Insurance, Urine Analysis
and computer software products)
 NAADAC-LAN connection for Advocacy issues on health care
reform, addiction, mental health parity and other legislative and
funding issues
 Advertisement on NAADAC’s website, www.naadac.org.
NAADAC receives over 66,000 visits a month.
Premier Organizational Membership
Benefits
 Advertisement in Addiction Professional, the official NAADAC
magazine
 Advertisement in NAADAC News, NAADAC’s bi-monthly publication
 Use of the NAADAC logo for your website, stationery, business cards
and exhibit booth
 Plaque to publicize your membership in NAADAC
 Reduced rates for NAADAC memabership and access to discounted
educational and professional resources
Professional & Ethical Obligations
Principle 6: Rights and Duties
I shall, to the best of my ability, actively engage in the
legislative processes, educational institutions, and the
general public to change public policy and legislation to
make possible opportunities and choice of service for all
human beings of any ethnic or social background whose
lives are impaired by alcoholism and drug abuse.
As a member of NAADAC, one can effect and encourage
significant change in the addiction profession.
Advocacy with NAADAC
 NAADAC has a strong public policy department that has been
shaped by its members.
 NAADAC works in Washington, DC, to educate policymakers
that addiction is a treatable brain disease.
 NAADAC also works with legislators to increase funding for
treatment services and to ensure that coverage for addictive
disorders is included in health insurance plans.
Advocacy with NAADAC
Being a part of a professional association enables people to
participate in deliberations on issues that face those service clients
with addictive disorders and gives a collective voice to addiction
professionals who otherwise would not be heard.
The more members involved, the easier it is to share information
concerning the country’s attitudes and beliefs about addiction
treatment and to shape those opinions in a positive way.
Advocacy with NAADAC
NAADAC has been instrumental in:
 Representing the addiction profession in the recent
Healthcare Reform bill
 Gaining parity for addiction treatment
 Helped defeat HR 1955- Small Business Parity
 National Recovery Month
NAADAC also holds an annual Advocacy in Action conference
and Workforce/Leadership Development conference
Professional & Ethical Obligations
Principle 4: Trustworthiness
I shall never misrepresent my credentials or
experience.
Addiction professionals can be certified/licensed
at the state and national level.
National Certification
Under the banner of NAADAC, the National
Certification Commission (NCC) operates as
an independent body for all matters involving
the Association’s alcohol and drug abuse
counselor certification and endorsement
opportunities at the national level.
National Certification
 NAADAC believes in promoting excellence by providing
certification to the addiction profession to help counselors
provide the highest quality and most current science-based
services to their clients, families and communities.
 NAADAC insists on the highest level of standards and ethics,
which includes working to make treatment by certified or
licensed counselors available to every person who needs it.
Benefits of National Certification

Demonstration of skills and knowledge of addiction
professionals

Clients’ verification that persons offering treatment services
are competent, skilled and knowledgeable

Improved overall quality of services

Portability when practicing from state to state

Discounted rates for members of NAADAC
National Certification Opportunities
The NCC offers 4 credentials for alcoholism and drug
abuse counselors:
 Basic Level Certification
 National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC I)
 National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC II)
 Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
Eligibility criteria is available at www.naadac.org
National Certification Opportunities

NCAC I and NCAC II are maintained solely by the NCC

MAC is in conjunction with the National Board for
Certified Counselors (NBCC)

NCC credentials are nationally recognized as a
baseline, and as a result, are recognized by third-party
payers
National Certification Opportunities
The NCC also offers specialty endorsements and certificates that allow
nationally certified addiction counselors to demonstrate their knowledge
base in a particular area of expertise:

Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)

Nicotine Dependence Specialist (NDS)

Adolescent Specialist Endorsement (ASE)

Conflict Resolution in Recovery Certificate

Spiritual Caregiving to Help Addicted Persons and Families Certificate
Eligibility criteria is available at www.naadac.org
Professional & Ethical Obligations
Principle 4: Trustworthiness
 I shall constantly strive for a better understanding of addictive
disorders and refuse to accept supposition and prejudice as if it were
the truth.
 I understand that ignorance in those matters that should be known
does not excuse me from the ethical fault of misinforming others.
Principle 9: Duty of Care
 I shall maintain competence in the area of my practice through
continuing education, constantly improving my knowledge and skills
in those approaches most effective with my specific clients.
 I shall scrupulously avoid practicing in any area outside of my
competence.
Education through NAADAC
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NAADAC provides quality education and clinical training to addiction
professionals through
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Publications and independent study courses
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Online courses
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Webinars
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State, regional and national conferences

Face-to-Face Seminars
To this end, NAADAC seeks to promote well-established and
emergent strategies of best practices based on both research and
experience.
Publications and Independent Study Courses
The Basics of Addiction
Counseling: Desk
Reference and Study Guide
Conflict Resolution in
Recovery Kit
New Innovations with
Opioid Treatment:
Buprenorphine
New Horizons: Integrating
Motivational Styles,
Strategies and Skills with
Pharmacotherapy
Integrating Treatment for Co-occurring
Disorders: What Every Addiction
Counselor Needs to Know
www.naadac.org/education
Online Courses

Blending Solutions: Integrating New Skills into Practice

Motivational Interviewing: Clinical Practice with
Pharmacotherapy

Innovations in Opioid Treatment: Buprenorphine

Medication Management for Addiction Professionals
Webinars
 March 23: Gambling Disorders: What Addiction Professionals Need to Know
 April 14: Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
 May 19: Education Providers - the New Standard of Success
 June 16: Get the Most out of Your National Conference on Addiction Disorders
(NCAD 11) Experience
 July 14: Co-Occurring Disorders
 August 18: Strategies for Successful Test Taking
 September 15: Your Voice Counts: Advocacy and the NAADAC Political Action
 October 13: Conflict Resolution for Clients and Professionals
 November 17: What’s Next in Your Career? Recap and Highlights from the NAADAC
Workforce Conference
 December 15: Clinical Supervision: Keys to Success
 Archived: Medication Management, SBIRT, SAP
www.naadac.org/education
Conferences
 National Conference on Addiction Disorders (NCAD) 2011

San Diego, California
 September 17-21, 2011
 Registration and more information at www.naadac.org
 Workforce Development Conference
 Advocacy in Action Conference
 Each conference offers members an opportunity to:

receive basic to advanced trainings
 specialty trainings
 updates on issues in the addictions profession
 CEs to maintain credentials and licenses
Face-to-Face Training Topics
NAADAC has highly-skilled trainers available immediately to offer
continuing education seminars on the following addiction-related topics:
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treatment admission (screening, intake and orientation)
clinical assessment
ongoing treatment planning
individual counseling theories, skills and techniques
group counseling theories, skills and techniques
family systems
crisis intervention and management
documentation
referral
case management
discharge and continuing care
legal and ethical issues
medication-assisted recovery for opioid dependence
medication-assisted recovery for alcohol dependence
DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)
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professional identity
advocacy
clinical supervision
conflict resolution
co-occurring disorders
Motivational Interviewing
psychopharmacology and physiology
spiritual caregiving
trauma
women’s issues in recovery
adolescent population
children of substance use dependents
LGBT population
recovery oriented systems of care
cultural diversity
Professional Identity and NAADAC
NAADAC helps addiction professionals:
1) Promote the health of the profession and community
2) Engage in public policy and the legislative process
3) Maintain credentials
4) Obtain education and training
Thank You for Participating!
Please feel free to ask questions!
1016 Leavenworth Street
1001 N. Fairfax Street., Ste. 201
Alexandria, VA 22314
phone: 703.741.7686/800.548.0497
fax: 703.741.7698/800.377.1136
www.naadac.org • naadac@naadac.org
Omaha, NE 68102
phone: 402.341.8880
fax: 402.341.8911
www.myaccucare.com
info@orionhealthcare.com
Providing solutions to improve the quality of life for communities by
helping addictions professionals excel in their field through the use of
information technology.
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Visit us today!
Call: (800) 324-7966
Click: www.MyAccuCare.com
Thank You for Participating!
Please feel free to ask questions!
1016 Leavenworth Street
1001 N. Fairfax Street., Ste. 201
Alexandria, VA 22314
phone: 703.741.7686/800.548.0497
fax: 703.741.7698/800.377.1136
www.naadac.org • naadac@naadac.org
Omaha, NE 68102
phone: 402.341.8880
fax: 402.341.8911
www.myaccucare.com
info@orionhealthcare.com