LACT courses are open to all individuals interested in learning more about addiction. Many students are interested in becoming Professional Addiction Counselors. Allied health professionals such as social workers, nurses, marriage and family therapists, and other helping professionals often benefit substantially from developing specialized skills in addiction work to better assist their clients, as well as to earn credits for a Specialty Certificate in Addiction.
A commitment to become a full-time Addiction Professional is not necessary for course enrollment, but a strong desire to study the addiction field is essential. Although a high school or college degree is not required, students should have basic writing, reading, and verbal skills in order to get the maximum benefit from the program.
Addiction professionals in Louisiana are regulated by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA), which is a state agency headquartered in Baton Rouge. Below is a brief summary of the credentialing process. For more detail you can visit the ADRA's website or download a detailed description document of the process.
There are three levels of Addiction Counselor credentials, depending upon your current educational level. All three levels require completion of both educational and work experience hours. Candidates for credentialing must submit an application to the ADRA verifying completion of these requirements. When the application is approved, candidates are scheduled for testing. Once the test is passed, the appropriate credential is issued. These are the three levels of credentials: Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC), Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC)
The entry status for all levels is Counselor in Training (CIT). A CIT applicant must have completed the required 180 hours of substance abuse specific education, have a high school diploma or GED, and have a job in the addiction field working under the supervision of a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS). CIT status must be renewed annually and can be held for a maximum of 72 months. The education requirement for credentialing at every level is 300 hours in addiction studies, of which 180 hours must be specific to substance abuse. LASACT operates a school called the Louisiana Addiction Counselor Training (LACT) Program to provide these 180 hours.
Great training for current and potential CIT’s! Classes are held one weekend per month, 12 months a year, where 3 months is a quarter.
Minimum enrollment fee of $185 must be paid before enrollment form is processed. The $185 includes annual LASACT Membership dues ($90) and LACT Materials Fee ($95). LASACT Membership dues must be paid yearly! LASACT membership must remain current while enrolled in LACT in order to qualify for the discounted tuition rate.
Class is held from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays AND 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays one weekend a month via ZOOM. 15 hours per weekend; 45 hours per quarter; 180 hours per year. Mandatory Orientation Session for new students is held at 10 a.m. on the first day of class of each quarter, with a lunch break before class starts at 1 p.m.
Class Location: Via Zoom
Class size is limited. Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
To Qualify: The applicant must submit the completed LACT application and be accepted into the LACT Program.
We are excited to announce that LASACT is the recipient of a contract for LACT funding through the Office of Behavioral Health. 42 scholarships are available for disbursement for the beginning of Quarter 1, January 2023. Students accepted into our LACT school automatically qualify for the scholarship which covers an entire year's worth of tuition. When students accept this scholarship, they must understand that the scholarship will only cover students that attend class. If a student misses a class date, they are responsible for paying the LACT Program back. It is $50 per day missed. Diplomas will be withheld until all LACT balances are fulfilled.
*The LACT Scholarship does NOT cover annual LASACT Membership dues ($90) or LACT Materials fee ($95)
To Accept: Download the OBH Scholarship Agreement Form. Complete and submit to LASACT along with a completed Enrollment Form.
To Qualify: The applicant must be in short term recovery from an addiction or have some other disabling condition.
We suggest that you investigate the possibility of getting financial assistance from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) of the Louisiana Workforce Commissions it has more resources than our OBH scholarship. This route can pay for the LASACT conference and much more. It sometimes takes a few weeks to get an appointment with an LRS Counselor. If you decide to pursue that possibility, we recommend that you contact the office in your area as soon as possible. Your counselor may request an acceptance letter from the LACT Program. They may also request a breakdown of LACT Tuition cost.
To Apply: Download the two-page document which you should print and to take to your LRS counselor if you decide to pursue this aid. Visit the LRS website to make an account and get a counselor.
To Qualify: The applicant must be registered as a Counselor in Training (CIT) with ADRA or actively working towards becoming a CIT.
Promising students are awarded up to $1000.00 which can be used for LASACT continuing education at the annual conference, and to pay for other necessary items on the certification checklist.
To Apply: Download the application form and return to a Betty Breen Representative as listed on the form.
Follow the link for information on training opportunities for the PRSS certification.
PRSS InformationFollow the link for the IC&RC Peer Fact Sheet
IC&RC Peer Fact SheetThe Distance Learning Center for Addiction Studies (DLCAS) is an internet based educational service that provides comprehensive training and information in the field of addiction studies. Such knowledge will help individuals stay current with the advances of the field, or will provide the educational training hours needed to either obtain or maintain a credential as a drug/alcohol counseling professional. Addiction Education by way of distance learning is an exciting format that can help save you considerable amounts of both time and money by allowing you to do your training in the comfort and convenience of your own home or office.
Visit DLCAS's Website