Substance Abuse Specialist Training - November 2025

When

November 18-20, 2025
The training begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. each day
The online classroom will open at 8:30 a.m. each day.

Where

Online (Link to be provided before first day)

Who Should Attend

Professionals who desire the knowledge and skills needed to facilitate life-skills groups and provide family-support services and behavior-modification services. (See "Credit" section for additional information.)

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO 60 PARTICIPANTS.

Description

This training will provide a basic overview and the knowledge and skills needed to facilitate life-skills groups and provide family-support services and behavior-modification services. The three-day course will be divided into six three-hour sections:  1) ATOD 101: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs; 2) Family Dynamics, Human Development and Parenting; 3) Ethics and Cultural Humility; 4) Crisis Management; 5) Motivational Interviewing; and 6) Documentation for Substance Abuse Specialists.

Objectives

1. To receive a basic overview of alcohol and other drug abuse.
2. To gain knowledge of how to motivate clients and use listening skills to support and provide services to meet clients’ needs.
3. To gain a basic knowledge of family dynamics and child development.
4. To acquire an understanding of how to work with clients in crisis for a positive resolution.
5. To learn basic documentation skills.
6. To provide quality services to clients to enhance their chances for long-term recovery.

Trainers

Ben Barth, LPCS, CCS, AADC, LAC, of Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County
Charles S. Bell, MPA, MA, LAC, CS, MAC, SAP, Shoreline Behavioral Health Services
James Campbell, LPC, LAC, MAC, AADC, of the Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center
Margaret Garrett, LPC/S, LAC, of DAODAS
Kimbley Smith, MEd, LPC/S, LAC/S, CS, MAC, of Phoenix Center
Charlie Stinson, MS, LAC, MAC, CPS, of GateWay Counseling Center

Contact

Lachelle Frederick, DAODAS
803.896.1158
lfrederick@daodas.sc.gov

Credit

County alcohol and drug abuse authority staff who have a minimum of a high school diploma (or GED equivalent) and will be responsible for providing Medicaid-reimbursable services: 18 hours & certification as a Substance Abuse Specialist (once certification test is passed)
All Others: 15 hours (Participants who are not employed by a county alcohol and drug abuse authority will not attend the "Documentation" session on the final day.)

Cost

None

Registration Deadline

November 11, 2025