at a minimum, a bachelor's degree in social work
(BSW); however, a master's degree in social
work (MSW) often is required for positions in
health care settings or to provide clinical
services.^110
The Association of Social Work Boards
(ASWB), which regulates the profession,
administers four separate examinations: the
bachelor’s exam, master’s exam, advanced
generalist exam and clinical exam.* Each state
determines the examination required for
licensure.
More than 25 percent of patients whom social
workers come into contact with either have a
primary or secondary diagnosis of addiction.^111
While addiction-related content is mentioned
explicitly as a topic area that may be included in
the bachelor- and clinical-level licensing
examinations,^112 CASA Columbia’s review
identified just two states--California and Alaska-
-that require social workers to complete
coursework in addiction.† 113
The National Association of Social Workers
offers an optional Certified Clinical Alcohol,
Tobacco, and Other Drugs Social Worker (C-
CATODSW) certification for master’s level
social workers with 180 hours of addiction-
related education and two years of paid,
supervised post-graduate work experience in
both clinical social work and addiction
counseling.‡ 114
- In general, the bachelor’s exam is designed for
those with a BSW and no post-degree experience; the
master’s exam is for those with an MSW and no post-
degree experience; the advanced generalist exam is
for those with an MSW and at least two years of post-
degree experience in non-clinical settings; and the
clinical exam is for those with an MSW and at least
two years of post-degree experience in direct clinical
practice settings.
† In CA, the applicant must obtain at least 15 hours of
addiction-related training. In AK, licensed social
workers must complete 45 hours of continuing
education, including six hours of addiction-related
education during their bi-annual license renewal
cycle.
‡ Nationwide data on the number of practicing social
workers with this certification are not available.
Acupuncturists ...........................................................................................................
Acupuncture sometimes is used as an
alternative/complementary treatment for
addiction. Estimates are that several hundred
addiction treatment clinics in the U.S. and
Europe offer auricular acupuncture, a procedure
that targets chronic diseases, including addiction
through needle therapy of the ear (typically used
to treat cocaine addiction).^115 Despite its
widespread use, there is very little research
supporting the efficacy of auricular acupuncture
for the treatment of addiction.^116CASA Columbia’s review found that most states
require individuals who practice acupuncture to
be licensed. Licensing requirements include
earning a degree from an accredited acupuncture
school and, except in four states, professional
certification or examination by the National
Certification Commission for Acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). In Alabama
and North Dakota, which do not have licensure
requirements for acupuncturists, only
physicians, osteopaths or chiropractors may
practice acupuncture as permitted by their scope
of practice or via specialty certification.§ 117CASA Columbia’s review identified several
states that require specialized training and
certification to practice auricular acupuncture.
In California, acupuncture training programs are
required to teach both auricular acupuncture and
principles of public health, including treatment
of addiction.^118 Acupuncturists certified through
NCCAOM for Acupuncture and Oriental
Medicine are not required explicitly to have
addiction-related training, although substance-
related knowledge is in the exam content for the
“diplomate in acupuncture” certification.^119 The
National Acupuncture Detoxification
Association (NADA)^120 certifies Acupuncture§ In KS, acupuncturists may practice under the
supervision of a medical doctor, osteopath or
chiropractor. In OK, medical doctors may practice
acupuncture. In SD, chiropractors may practice
acupuncture. WY has no laws or regulations
permitting or prohibiting acupuncture practice.