About ACADC

Who we are

The Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselors was established as a 501C3 non-profit corporation in 2002 with the purpose of training and certifying Drug, Alcohol & Addictions Counselors in accordance with biblical Christian principles.

ACADC has its roots in a Christian counseling and education ministry outreach that began in 1995 founded by Dr. Michael Belzman. Dr. Belzman, an Assemblies of God, International ordained minister, began his counseling career as an Army Drug & Alcohol Counselor in 1974. He received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas, his Masters Degree in Counseling from Boston University, and his Doctorate in Christian Alcohol & Drug Counseling from Trinity Faith Based University. His education also included post graduate courses from several programs of addiction studies. Dr. Belzman received his Master Level MRAS certification from the Breining Institute.

The mission of ACADC is to train and equip effective counselors, intimate with God and biblical wisdom, having received a quality education in the Addiction Counselor Guidelines published in SAMHSA's TAP 21 such that the ACADC trained counselor is confident to speak to any condition pertaining to the mind, will, emotions, soul and spirit, and encompasses all counselor competencies that drug, alcohol and addiction counselors should have.

In 2003, ACADC became authorized by the California Department of Licensed Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians to provide continuing education for all California LVN's and Psych Techs.

In 2004, ACADC was approved by the Department of Alcohol & Drug Programs as a certification organization and given authority written into the California Code of Regulations to grant AOD Counselor Certifications. In April 2006, ACADC became a member of the National Organization of Competency Assurance and in June 2007 was awarded national accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

In 2006, ACADC for the first time offered a dual certification program in which anyone holding a CDAAC Certification (Certified Drug, Alcohol & Addiction Counselor), can also test out for the secular RAS (Registered Addiction Specialist). ACADC also began providing state and nation wide Continuing Education training which the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) Counselor Certification Regulations state must be accepted by all certifying organizations approved by the State of California.

In 2008, ACADC became an approved NAADAC education provider.

In 2012, ACADC partnered with Breining Institute to offer dual credentials.

In 2015, ACADC launched the new CDAAC certificate program. Requirements to earn this certificate include the completion of 315 hours of Alcohol or Other Drug education and a passing grade of 70% or higher on the certificate exam. ACADC's Professional Christian Certificate jointly held with a State Approved Certification better equip the counselor to serve all populations.  This certificate, along with the completion of the required internship and practicum hours, qualifies you to take the IC&RC test through CCAPP and become a drug & alcohol counselor in the State of California.

In 2018, ACADC became an ICE accredited education provider and launched a new dual certificate program delivering the best of both worlds. ACADC joined forces with the California Association of DUI Treatment Professionals offering the Christian Drug Alcohol and Addictions Counselor certificate and the Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor credential.  Requirements to earn this dual-certificate include the completion of 315 hours of Alcohol or Other Drug education and a passing grade of 70% or higher on the certificate exam. ACADC's Professional Christian Certificate jointly held with a State Approved Certification better equip the counselor to serve all populations.  This certificate, along with the completion of the required internship and practicum hours, qualifies you to take the IC&RC test through CADTP and become a drug & alcohol counselor in the State of California.

ACADC Institute Certificate Programs include the following:

• CSAC I - Entry level substance abuse counselor certificate
• CDAAC - Professional level Christian Drug, Alcohol & Addictions Counselor Certificate
• Anger Management Certificate
• Domestic Violence Prevention Certificate
• Crisis, Trauma and PTSD Counselor Certificate
• Addiction Interventionist Certificate
• Suicide Interventionist Certificate
• Family Crisis Interventionist Certificate
• Continuing Education for Professional Addiction Counselors

Degrees available:

• • Bachelor of Biblical Addictions Counseling
  • Master of Biblical Addictions Counseling
  • Doctor of Biblical Addictions Counseling
  • Bachelor of Ministry
  • Master of Divinity