The Basics of Addiction Counseling Desk Reference is a three-volume set that has aided many addiction professionals in attaining their state and national credentials. Beyond this, the Desk Reference is used as a quick reference tool for various situations that arise throughout addiction professional careers, and as a college/university text for classes such as Addiction 101, Addiction Overview, and other addiction-related course work.
Sneak Peek Module I | Sneak Peek Module II | Sneak Peek Module III
Updated in late 2017, Module I: Pharmacology of Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders is designed to introduce addiction, behavioral health and other service providers to the pharmacology of psychoactive substances and to increase their familiarity with the signs and symptoms of psychoactive substance use. Application of effective counseling techniques must contain factual information on the various types of psychoactive substance used that may lead to dependence, and their effects on the human body physiologically, psychologically and emotionally. This Module highlights the most recent science related to psychoactive substance use, including appropriate terminology and conceptual frameworks.
Updated in late 2017, Module II: Addiction Counseling Theories, Practices and Skills is designed to provide addiction counselors and other helping professionals with a general overview of the major theories and techniques used for addiction counseling. To be effective, addiction counselors and other helping professionals require concrete methods for correctly assessing clients and conceptualizing the problems associated with each individual. With a strong theoretical base, addiction professionals can more accurately determine the needs of their clients and outline possible directions for treatment.
Updated to reflect the new 2016 NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics, Module III: Ethical and Professional Issues in Addiction Counseling is designed as a teaching tool to assist addiction professionals in maintaining ethical professional practice. This manual contains a detailed discussion of the nine principles of the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics, as well as models for ethical decision making. In addition, examples of unethical conduct, possible applications of the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics and reflection questions are included in each chapter to further enhance the proper application of ethics in the addiction profession.
Independent Study Course Package
This package includes the independent study courses for each of the three Basics of Addiction Counseling Desk Reference modules, including all three manuals and access to the online independent study exams for each module that can be completed for a total of 29.75 nationally-approved continuing education hours (CEs) and serve as useful practice for certification/licensure exams.
- Module I – 246-page manual + online exam worth 11 nationally-approved CEs
- Module II – 168-page manual + online exam worth 7.75 nationally-approved CEs
- Module III – 130-page manual + online exam worth 11 nationally-approved CEs
Regular Price: $428 Member Price: $324
Add to Shopping Cart
Manuals Only
This package includes the manuals for each of the three Basics of Addiction Counseling Desk Reference modules. This package does NOT include access to the online exams for each module that can be completed for CEs.
- Module I – 246-page manual
- Module II – 168-page manual
- Module III – 130-page manual
Regular Price: $225 Member Price: $158
Add to Shopping Cart
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of the Desk Reference is to provide a compendium of material for the addiction and other helping professions that offers a general overview of information necessary to the development of a well-rounded addiction and other helping professional. The Desk Reference is intended to orient an individual program of study, which encompasses additional research and investigation. The Desk Reference is not purported to be either all-inclusive or in sufficient detail to ensure success in actual certification/licensure examinations. It MUST be used in conjunction with the examination content outline provided in application materials and the bibliography provided in the Desk Reference modules. While training courses based solely on the content of this manual should be professionally helpful, they may or may not, by themselves, adequately prepare one for success in actual certification/licensure examinations.

The Basics of Addiction Counseling Desk Reference is a three-volume set that has aided many addiction professionals in attaining their state and national credentials. Beyond this, the Desk Reference is used as a quick reference tool for various situations that arise throughout addiction professional careers, and as a college/university text for classes such as Addiction 101, Addiction Overview, and other addiction-related course work.
Updated in 2018,Module I: Pharmacology of Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders is designed to introduce addiction, behavioral health and other service providers to the pharmacology of psychoactive substances and to increase their familiarity with the signs and symptoms of psychoactive substance use. Application of effective counseling techniques must contain factual information on the various types of psychoactive substance used that may lead to dependence, and their effects on the human body physiologically, psychologically and emotionally. This Module highlights the most recent science related to psychoactive substance use, including appropriate terminology and conceptual frameworks.
Before pharmacology can be explored, it is important for addiction counselors, behavioral health counselors and other service providers to understand the direct connection between psychoactive substance use, impairment and substance use disorders including dependence. A substance use disorder is understood to be the use of any substance that goes beyond what is recommended, prescribed, or legal. Addiction is understood to be a disease that dysregulates the normal functioning of the brain, primarily evidenced by obsessive thinking patterns, compulsive drug seeking, lack of impulse control, and mood disorders. Substance use disorders develop when psychoactive substances are consumed to the point that the brain must readjust its normal functioning to compensate for the continual presence of the substances. The threshold for the amount of psychoactive substance that an individual must consume to become dependent is highly individualized, based on genetics, brain chemistry, specific substance, trauma history, and environment. Understanding the effects of psychoactive substances on the human body and the variables that can lead a person towards a substance use disorder will allow an addiction counselor, other helping professionals and service providers to more effectively work with their clients.
Sneak Peek Module I
INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSE
This independent study course includes a 246-page manual and access to a 110 question online exam that can be completed for 11 nationally-approved continuing education hours and serve as useful practice for certification/licensure exams.
Regular Price: $175 Member Price: $130
Add to Shopping Cart
Manual Only
This purchase includes the 246-page manual only. It does NOT include access to the online exam that can be completed for CEs.
Regular Price: $100 Member Price: $75
Add to Shopping Cart
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of the Desk Reference is to provide a compendium of material for the addiction and other helping professions that offers a general overview of information necessary to the development of a well-rounded addiction and other helping professional. The Desk Reference is intended to orient an individual program of study, which encompasses additional research and investigation. The Desk Reference is not purported to be either all-inclusive or in sufficient detail to ensure success in actual certification/licensure examinations. It MUST be used in conjunction with the examination content outline provided in application materials and the bibliography provided in the Desk Reference modules. While training courses based solely on the content of this manual should be professionally helpful, they may or may not, by themselves, adequately prepare one for success in actual certification/licensure examinations.
The Basics of Addiction Counseling Desk Reference is a three-volume set that has aided many addiction professionals in attaining their state and national credentials. Beyond this, the Desk Reference is used as a quick reference tool for various situations that arise throughout addiction professional careers, and as a college/university text for classes such as Addiction 101, Addiction Overview, and other addiction-related course work.
Updated in 2017, Module II: Addiction Counseling Theories, Practices and Skills is designed to provide addiction counselors and other helping professionals with a thorough overview of the major theories and techniques used for addiction counseling. To be effective, addiction counselors and other helping professionals require concrete methods for correctly assessing clients and conceptualizing the problems associated with each individual. With a strong theoretical base, addiction professionals can more accurately determine the needs of their clients and outline possible directions for treatment.
Module II: Addiction Counseling Theories, Practices and Skills discusses the main theories and techniques used during each type of counseling dynamic, such as individual, family or group therapy. Within each of these settings, there are many different counseling theories practiced by addiction professionals; however, no one therapy or counseling approach is appropriate for all situations or clients. Depending on the school of thought of the addiction counselor or other helping professional, several theories could be equally applicable to a given situation or client. An addiction counselor or other helping professional must utilize his or her own experience and education to gauge which therapeutic approach would be the most beneficial and effective for the individual client. This part of counseling is often referred to as the “theoretical tool bag” because addiction professionals simply look for and select the best “tools” for the job at hand.
2017 Update includes:
- DSM-5 diagnostic criteria & newest ASAM criteria.
- 2016 NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics.
- Current terminology.
- Support of evidence-based practice and theory by research. published since last edition.
Sneak Peek Module II
Independent Study Course
This independent study course includes a 168-page manual and access to an 80 question online exam that can be completed for 7.75 nationally-approved continuing education hours and serve as useful practice for certification/licensure exams.
Regular Price: $150 Member Price: $115
Add to Shopping Cart
Manual Only
This purchase includes the 168-page manual only. It does NOT include access to the online exam that can be completed for CEs.
Regular Price: $75 Member Price: $50
Add to Shopping Cart
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of the Desk Reference is to provide a compendium of material for the addiction and other helping professions that offers a general overview of information necessary to the development of a well-rounded addiction and other helping professional. The Desk Reference is intended to orient an individual program of study, which encompasses additional research and investigation. The Desk Reference is not purported to be either all-inclusive or in sufficient detail to ensure success in actual certification/licensure examinations. It MUST be used in conjunction with the examination content outline provided in application materials and the bibliography provided in the Desk Reference modules. While training courses based solely on the content of this manual should be professionally helpful, they may or may not, by themselves, adequately prepare one for success in actual certification/licensure examinations.

**JUST RELEASED IN MAY 2018**
The Basics of Addiction Counseling Desk Reference is a three-volume set that has aided many addiction professionals in attaining their state and national credentials. Beyond this, the Desk Reference is used as a quick reference tool for various situations that arise throughout addiction professional careers, and as a college/university text for classes such as Addiction 101, Addiction Overview, and other addiction-related course work.
Based on the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics, Module III: Ethical and Professional Issues in Addiction Counseling is designed as a teaching tool to assist addiction professionals in maintaining ethical professional practice. This manual contains a detailed discussion of the nine principles of the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics, as well as models for ethical decision making. In addition, examples of unethical conduct, possible applications of the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics and reflection questions are included in each chapter to further enhance the proper application of ethics in the addiction profession.
The 2016 NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics is a general guideline for professional behavior. In working with clients, colleagues and treatment agencies, there are events that occur which may not be specifically covered in the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics. Therefore, this manual is not intended to be an exhaustive resource concerning ethics, professional conduct or the addiction profession.
Addiction professionals are encouraged to seek out additional resources concerning ethics and professional conduct when confronted with a questionable ethical situation. Persons who use this manual when making ethical decisions are acting on their own and not under the advisement of NAADAC. NAADAC is not responsible for the competency, actions or ethical behavior that results from reading this manual. Further, the examples provided in the guide are for illustration only and are not definitive statements of NAADAC’s ethical policies or guidelines.
Sneak Peek Module III
Independent Study Course
This independent study course includes a 130-page manual and access to an 110 question online exam that can be completed for 11 nationally-approved continuing education hours and serve as useful practice for certification/licensure exams.
Regular Price: $150 Member Price: $115
Add to Shopping Cart
Manual Only
This purchase includes the 130-page manual only. It does NOT include access to the online exam that can be completed for CEs.
Regular Price: $75 Member Price: $50
Add to Shopping Cart
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of the Desk Reference is to provide a compendium of material for the addiction and other helping professions that offers a general overview of information necessary to the development of a well-rounded addiction and other helping professional. The Desk Reference is intended to orient an individual program of study, which encompasses additional research and investigation. The Desk Reference is not purported to be either all-inclusive or in sufficient detail to ensure success in actual certification/licensure examinations. It MUST be used in conjunction with the examination content outline provided in application materials and the bibliography provided in the Desk Reference modules. While training courses based solely on the content of this manual should be professionally helpful, they may or may not, by themselves, adequately prepare one for success in actual certification/licensure examinations.