Montana Department of Labor and Industry Board of Behavioral Health
The Center for Addiction Studies and Research is a Montana Department of Labor and Industry approved distance learning provider of education in the chemical dependency field.
Education Requirements and Courses
Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
A baccalaureate degree in alcohol and drug studies, psychology, social work, counseling or a related field from an accredited college or university or an associate of arts degree in alcohol and drug studies, chemical dependency, or substance abuse from an accredited institution.
Documentation of 330 hours of coursework specific to substance use disorder.
There is no limit on the number of hours that can be earned through approved home study distance learning trainings.
The 330 hours must be acquired in the following courses:
Required Courses
LAC 90-hour Counseling Training
Montana LAC 90-hour Counseling Training
SKU: n/a.
$425
This course focuses on the principles and techniques of motivational interviewing and motivational enhancement approaches, evidence-based practices for working with individuals who have been exposed to acute and chronic traumas, and group treatment approaches with substance abusing clients.
Topics covered include:
Transtheoretical stages of change
Principles of motivational interviewing
Integration of motivational approaches to diverse treatment populations and settings
Trauma-informed intervention and treatment principles
Common experiences and responses to trauma
Trauma-informed prevention and treatment objectives
Clinical issues and counselor self-care
Advantages of group treatment for substance abusing populations
Group models commonly used in substance abuse treatment
Group therapy strategies and techniques
Group leadership competencies and skills
90 Hours – $425
Please contact our office for information regarding payment plan options.
LAC 60-hour Chemical Dependency Assessment and Patient Placement Training
Montana LAC 60-hour Chemical Dependency Assessment and Patient Placement Training
SKU: n/a.
$350
This course focuses on screening and assessment procedures in substance abuse treatment and patient placement criteria for clients in need of chemical dependency services.
Topics covered include:
Screening and assessment instruments
Ethnic and cultural issues
Co-morbid psychiatric disorders
Screening and assessment skills and techniques
Screening and assessment with special populations
Drug toxicology testing procedures
Advantages of adopting uniform patient placement criteria
Montana LAC 30-hour Co-Occurring Disorders Training
SKU: n/a.
$185
This course focuses on the unique issues of substance abuse among individuals with co-occurring psychiatric disorders and best-practice philosophies for treating clients with co-occurring disorders.
Topics covered include:
Guiding principles for treating clients with co-occurring disorders
Assessment and diagnostic criteria
Psychopharmacology and psychotherapeutic medications
Treatment settings and models
Strategies and techniques for working with co-occurring disorder populations
Dual recovery and mutual self-help support programs
This course focuses on the physical, psychological and pharmacological effects of drugs of abuse. Psychoactive substances covered include cocaine, hallucinogens and dissociative drugs, heroin, inhalants, marijuana, MDMA (ecstasy), methamphetamine, prescription medications, steroids and other APEDs, and tobacco.
Topics covered include:
Scope and prevalence of psychoactive substance use in the United States
The pharmacology of addiction
Brain chemistry and neurotransmission
Brain rewards mechanisms and systems
Tolerance and withdrawal
Predisposing risk factors
Short- and long-term behavioral consequences
Short- and long-term medical complications and consequences
