About ICDS

The Institute of Chemical Dependency Studies, a NAADAC approved education provider, sets the standard of excellence in initial, ongoing, and advanced clinical and professional training and development in the field of addiction counseling.

ICDS focuses on four elements of counselor education:

1. Substance Abuse Counselor Education - In-class and distance learning. This includes the initial counselor training for certifcations and licensures across the country, including LCDC, CADAC, CASAC, CADP and many others. See where we train.

2. Counselor CEUs (Continuing Education Units) - ICDS offers CEU Workshops and Online CEUs for certified/licensed counselors.

3. Additional Certification Courses - Licensed/certified counselors wishing to expand their knowledge and expertise can achieve the following certifications through ICDS: Certified Preventions Specialist Training, Clinical Supervision Training and Certified Anger Resolution Therapist Training.

4. ICRC Test Review and Preparation - Workshops and Manuals for the ICRC Test are available through ICDS.

Why Choose ICDS?

ICDS has been training counselors for sixteen years, offering students the option of completing their counselor training in a Texas classroom location (Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio) or on-line via distance learning.

ICDS also provides fast and convenient independent study CEUs to counselors in 30+ states. Texas residents can complete their required CEUs by attending ICDS workshops in Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.

The states where our distance learning counselor training is accepted and the links to their respective pages with specific information are listed below:

ICDS Counselor Training Overview

ICDS chemical dependency counselor training gives students the national standard of knowledge, education, and skills to successfully work in the field of chemical dependency and substance abuse counseling.

Our courses are recommended for a minimum of 12 and up to 24 college credits through the American Council on Education.

We offer the required curriculum necessary to start working in the chemical dependency/substance abuse field. The school’s training is academically solid, providing for learning experiences in varied formats with emphasis on information about all aspects of chemical dependency: counseling techniques, the function and responsibilities of a case manager, family needs and recovery issues, training in intervention techniques and facilitation, dual diagnosis treatment, adolescent drug abuse services and counseling, adult children of alcoholics needs and services, sexual addiction education, eating disorders education, relapse prevention and ethics. Click on the counselor training tab for more information.

Certifications and licensures you'll be eligible to obtain with ICDS counselor training:

AAP, ACAP, ACADC, ACPS, AODA, APP, CAC, CAC II, CADAC, CADC, CADC II, CADC III, CADP, CAP, CAS, CASAC, CASAC-T, CCDP, CCJAP, CCJAS, CCJP, CDC, CDC II, CDCS, CIT, CPP, CRADC,  LSAA, LADAC, LCDC, LCDC II, LCDC III, LCDP, LCDP II, LICDC & MLAP.

Continuing Education

Our continuing education workshops are presented by qualified credentialed counselors with both the education and work experience necessary for quality training.  Our custom workshops can be facilitated nationwide. Click on CEUs > Custom Workshops for more information. ICDS independent studies are designed to provide professionals the training needed for license and certification renewal with the convenience of home study. Independent studies can be ordered on-line and e-mailed directly to you. They can also be ordered by mail with priority shipping. All materials are provided along with a number to reach our staff with questions or discussion of specific topics. Click on CEUs > Independent Studies for more information.