Illinois Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC) course package (215 hours)

CEU Matrix’s 215-hour Illinois Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC) online package is approved by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA) and covers 215 of the 225 hours required for the CADC credential. Every required content area and topic — including AOD-Specific Content, Performance Domains, Professional Ethics and Responsibility, Race and Equity, and Women/Families — is covered in this 215-hour package for CADC certification.

Package Information

Illinois CADC Certification Requirements and Course Package

This course package offers substantial savings versus purchasing the courses individually. Courses are taken at your convenience, there is no time limit, and everything is done online. If you have any other questions please call John Tinsley at (512) 843-0866.

What This Package Covers

Illinois requires 225 hours of AOD counselor education for the CADC. CEU Matrix’s Illinois CADC package covers 215 of the 225 required hours:

AOD-Specific Content (100 hours, including 15 hours on Women/Families and 15 hours on Adolescents/Families)
Performance Domains (109 hours)
Professional Ethics and Responsibility (6 hours)
Race and Equity (10 hours)

Please see the “Package Contents” section below for the complete list of courses included in this package.

Certification Requirements

Education Required: A high school diploma or GED is required.
Work Experience: 2,000 hours of paid, supervised work in an addictions services setting within the past 4 years. At least 51% of hours must involve direct primary AOD counseling.
Supervised Hours: 150 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision, documented across 12 core skill areas with a minimum of 10 hours per area. These are supervisory hours, not client service hours.
State Exam: Passing score on the CADC/ADC examination.

Important Notes

The Illinois CADC is issued by the Illinois Certification Board (ICB). The certification model was updated in July 2025, discontinuing the former Category I/II CEU structure.

Renewal Requirements

40 continuing education hours every two years; at least 15 hours must be AOD-specific. The remaining hours may be in performance domain knowledge areas not required to be AOD-specific. A maximum of 15 hours may be completed via home study. CADCs holding an active IDFPR private practitioner license need only 10 AOD-specific CEUs.

Package Contents

15 Hours AOD Treatment Services for Women and/or their Families:

Powerlessness or Empowerment? Special Issues in Treating Women – 3 hours
Substance Abuse Treatment and Domestic Violence – 6 hours
Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault – 3 hours
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy Module 1 – 3 hours

15 Hours AOD Treatment Services for Adolescents and/or their Families:

Treatment of Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders (Module 1) – 3 hours
Treatment of Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders (Module 2) – 3 hours
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy Module 2 – 2 of 4 hours
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy Module 3 – 3 hours
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy Module 4 – 4 hours

70 Hours other AOD Specific:

An Introduction to Treatment Medications: What Every Counselor Should Know – 4 hours
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy Module 2 – 2 of 4 hours
Mind Over Matter: The Brain’s Response to Drugs – 3 hours
Relapse Prevention Counseling – 4 hours
Motivation for Change in Substance Abuse Treatment, TIP 35 – 6 hours
Using Technology-Based Therapeutic Tools in Behavioral Health Services – 6 hours
You Can Lead a Horse to Water – Treatment Resistance and Motivation – 3 hours
Treatment Planning: Utilizing the Addiction Severity Index – 3 hours
The Sober Life Treatment Series – 4 hours
The Clinical Evaluation: Professional Competencies and Elements to Consider for Using DSM-5 – 4 hours
Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People with Physical and Cognitive Disabilities – 4 hours
Screening and Assessment of Clients in the Criminal Justice System – 6 hours
Retraining and Updating Currently Abused Drugs – 3 hours
Overview of Group Therapy for Substance Abuse Treatment – 8 hours
Overview of Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment, COCE – 4 hours
Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Addiction using Buprenorphine – 6 hours

6 Hours Professional Ethics and Responsibility:

Ethics, Boundaries and Duel Relationships. Professional Issues for Addiction Professionals – 3 hours
Ethical Practice with Special Populations – 3 hours

109 Hours Performance Domains:

A Cognitive Behavioral Approach – Treating Cocaine Addiction (CBA-1) – 3 hours
A Cognitive Behavioral Approach – Treating Cocaine Addiction (CBA-2) – 3 hours
Addressing Opioid Use Disorder in General Medical Settings – 3 hours
Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment – 3 hours
Anger Management for Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Clients: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Manual (Revised 2025) – 3 hours
Booting Up the System: Case Management Models, Principles, and Practices – 3 hours
Clinical Drug Testing in Primary Care – 3 hours
Cluckers, Clockers, Cookers: An Introduction to Drug Control Policy for Substance Abuse Counselors – 3 hours
Commitment to Change – Overcoming Errors in Thinking – 4 hours
Compassion Satisfaction: Thriving While Working in Substance Abuse Criminal Justice, and Other Challenging Settings – 3 hours
Computerized Assessment of Substance Abuse – 4 hours
Considerations for the Provision of E-Therapy – 3 hours
Coping with Feelings and Moods – 4 hours
Counseling for Marijuana Dependence – A Manual for Treating Adults – 6 hours
Drug and Alcohol Dependence: The Problem, the Solution, and Co-occurring Disorders – 3 hours
Effective Tools for Treating Pain While Reducing Opioid Use – 4 hours
Ethics, Boundaries, and Dual Relationships. Professional Issues for Addiction Professionals – 3 hours
Faith Based Substance Abuse Treatment – 3 hours
Group Treatments for Addiction – 6 hours
HIV & Other Blood-Borne Infections in Drug Users – 6 hours
Implementing Change in Sub. Abuse Treatment Prog., TAP 31 – 3 hours
Major Treatment Issues for Offenders Who Use Substances – 6 hours
Managing Depressive Symptoms in Substance Abuse Clients During Early Recovery – 6 hours
Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Addiction Using Buprenorphine – 6 hours
Supporting Infants, Toddlers, and Families Impacted by Caregiver Mental Health Problems, Substance Abuse, and Trauma – 6 hours
The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice – 3 hours
Treating Chronic Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders: Individual and Group Counseling Strategies – 6 hours

Package FAQs

How do I find Illinois-approved courses on CEU Matrix?

Click “Course Listing” at the top of our homepage, select Illinois from the map, then choose your credential level or “All Available Courses.” All courses shown are ICB-approved for Illinois counselors working toward CADC or CCJP credentials.

What's the best value for Illinois continuing education courses?

We offer several money-saving options:

Value Package (10 hours for $99, saves $31)
15 Hour Renewal Package ($140, saves $55)

Plus, we offer specialized credential packages with significant savings for advancement through Illinois’ four-level system.

When will my courses be available and how do I access them?

Courses are available immediately with credit card payment in your Student Center under “My Courses.” For renewal packages, you’ll receive credits to select individual courses.

How does Illinois' online learning limit affect my continuing education?

Illinois allows a maximum of 15 hours of your 40-hour continuing education requirement to come from online/home study sources. This means 25 hours must be completed through in-person training, live webinars, or other interactive formats.

What are the differences between Illinois' four credential levels?

CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor): Entry-level credential requiring high school diploma, 225 hours of education in specific categories (100 hours AODA-specific, 6 hours ethics, 119 hours in counselor performance domains), and 4,000 hours of supervised work experience (reduced with higher degrees). Foundation credential for Illinois addiction counseling.
CRADC (Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor): Reciprocal credential recognized by IC&RC participating boards. Requires 300 hours of education with 160 hours AODA-specific, including specialized training in adolescent/family and women/family services. Allows for interstate practice mobility.
CSADC (Certified Supervisor Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor): Supervision credential requiring CRADC status, 350 hours of education, 5 years of experience with 2 years in supervisory roles, and 10,000 hours of supervised AODA work. Allows supervision of other counselors.
CAADC (Certified Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor): Master’s level credential requiring graduate degree in human behavioral sciences with clinical component, 180 hours of AODA-specific education (including 45 hours each in adolescent/family and women/family services), and 2,000 hours of supervised experience. Allows independent practice.

Can I retake exams if I don't pass the first time?

Yes, you can retake any exam multiple times at no additional cost. Exams are scored immediately online, and you can print your certificate of completion as soon as you pass.

Do I need to complete all my courses at once?

No, there’s no time limit. The system tracks your credits automatically, so you can work at your own pace 24/7 from anywhere with internet access.

Where do I find my certificates and track my Illinois credential progress?

Your Student Center under “My Courses” has all certificates for immediate download/printing plus a complete record of completed courses and remaining credits for easy progress tracking through Illinois’ four credential levels.

How does Illinois' education requirement work for initial certification?

Illinois has specific education requirements for each credential level. CADC requires education in alcohol/drug-specific content, professional ethics, and counselor performance domains. CRADC and CAADC require specialized concentrations in services for adolescents/families and women/families.

What work experience is required for Illinois credentials?

CADC: 4,000 hours of supervised work (reduced to 3,000 with Associate’s degree, 2,000 with Bachelor’s degree)
CRADC: Similar to CADC but meeting IC&RC reciprocity standards
CSADC: 5 years experience with 2 years in supervisory roles, plus 10,000 hours of supervised AODA work
CAADC: 2,000 hours of supervised experience plus master’s degree requirement

What are Illinois' continuing education requirements?

All Illinois credentials require 40 hours of continuing education every 2 years, with a maximum of 15 hours from online/distance learning sources. CSADC and CAADC credentials require 6 of their CE hours to focus on clinical supervision topics.

Approved and Widely Recognized

CEU Matrix is approved by the following national and state accreditation boards:

CEU Matrix is approved with the following state boards:

Arkansas (ASACB), California (CCAPP #OS-07-394-0222), California (CADTP #250), Connecticut (#0115-5202), Delaware (DCB #37), Florida (FCB #5141-A), Georgia (ADACBGA #2026-4-003), Illinois (IAODAPCA #19345), Kentucky, Louisiana (LA ADRA #E026), Michigan (MCBAP), Missouri (Missouri CB #183), New Mexico (NMCBBHP #2046), North Carolina (NCSAPPB), Ohio (OCDP #50-19236), Oklahoma (OBLADS #20260153), Texas (TCB #1758-07)

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