At Victory Recovery Partners, a group of over 10 addiction-recovery centers on Long Island and NYC, we provide outpatient services to those battling substance use disorder and addiction. Our operating model is unique, as we provide total care under one roof. This includes behavioral health, psychiatric, wellness, and medication-assisted treatment services. On the behavioral health side, we are staffed with social workers, CASACs (credentialed alcoholism and substance use counselors), and CRPAs (certified recovery peer advocates). As we have previously explained the role of the CRPA in our past blog, it is beneficial to new and current patients to also understand the key role that CASACs play in addiction recovery.
The CASAC, (credentialed alcoholism and substance use counselor), provides a crucial role in helping our patients overcome their addiction and substance use disorders. The CASAC is unique, in that they are certified by OASAS (the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports), to provide counseling to patients suffering from addiction and substance use disorders. To become qualified as a CASAC, you must complete several steps including a 350-hour OASAS-approved educational program, in addition to gaining several thousand hours of counseling experience with patients. There is also an exam that must be passed to become approved as a CASAC.
There are different levels of CASACs, depending on what level of training and education has been completed. For example, there is a CASAC-T (trainee), CASAC-Provisional, CASAC, CASAC Level 2, CASAC Advanced Counselor, and CASAC Master.
You may be wondering, how would a CASAC help me in my recovery? CASACs are unique in that they specifically are educated in the field of substance use disorders and addiction. Through a combination of their training, education, and past life experiences, they can provide counseling in a manner that is unique from the other forms of behavioral health counseling. The CASAC starts by conducting in-depth substance use disorder (SUD) assessments, allowing them to best-understand each patient’s unique situations. Next, they will determine if there are any trends or patterns that are contributing to the patient’s substance use. For example, they will determine if there are any existing mental health issues or family issues.
CASACs can also run group therapy, which is vital at Victory. Here at Victory, we offer many groups for our patients. We find that group therapy is highly effective, as it allows our patients to feel accepted by others – allowing them to relate to other patients’ histories and struggles, as well as their successes.
While CRPAs always have a personal history of substance use or addiction, our CASACs frequently have battled these issues, too. We have found that when a counselor has personal experience with addiction and substance use, they can more easily relate to the patient, allowing for a more successful treatment outcome. On that note, when a patient builds a relationship with a CASAC, the patient will begin to feel inspired and motivated to continue their recovery journeys. The patient will see the CASAC as proof that addiction-recovery is possible, and there is a path forward to achieving recovery.
With that being said, we have found that our CASACs are extremely passionate about addiction-recovery. They have overcome their struggles and are eager to pass down their knowledge, experiences, and advice to our patients. The demand for CASACs is continuously growing. There is an increased need for the crucial part of a CASACs’ job – intervention. This means helping these clients understand that they do need help, and help is available to them. It all comes down to passion and the fulfilling part of helping patients recover. For CASACs, this is more than a job – it’s a mission to help improve the lives of the thousands of patients we have served and continue to serve each and every day.
If you are interested in becoming a CASAC, the official OASAS website has all the criteria and steps that must be met to become licensed.
For more information on Victory Recovery Partners, please visit our website.