What Is a CADC? Why Dual-Credentialed Care Matters for Co-Occurring Disorders

If you have searched for addiction counseling in Illinois, you have probably seen the letters CADC after a counselor’s name. Here is what that credential means, how it differs from a therapy license, and why having both in one clinician is a significant advantage when substance use and mental health overlap.

What CADC stands for

CADC stands for Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor. In Illinois the credential is issued by the Illinois Certification Board (ICB) and requires specific education in addiction science, supervised clinical hours focused on substance use treatment, and a competency examination. CADCs are trained in assessment, treatment planning, relapse prevention, pharmacology of substances, ethics specific to addiction counseling, and working with families affected by substance use.

How a CADC differs from an LCSW

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is a master’s-level mental health clinician licensed to diagnose and treat the full range of mental health conditions, from anxiety and depression to trauma and personality disorders. Most LCSWs receive some training in substance use, but it is not their specialty.

A CADC, by contrast, has deep expertise in addiction but, unless also licensed as a therapist, may not be able to diagnose and treat co-occurring mental health conditions. The two credentials cover different territory. A clinician who holds both can move fluidly between them.

Why co-occurring disorders need integrated care

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that a large share of adults with a substance use disorder also have a mental illness. The relationship runs in both directions: people drink or use to quiet anxiety, trauma, or depression, and heavy use in turn worsens those conditions. Treating one while ignoring the other is a leading reason recovery efforts fail.

Historically, people with co-occurring disorders were sent to two separate systems: a mental health clinic that would not address drinking, and an addiction program that would not address trauma. Integrated treatment, where the same clinician or team addresses both in a single coordinated plan, has consistently better outcomes.

• Fewer gaps and contradictions between providers
• One treatment plan that accounts for how the conditions interact
• Trauma processed at a pace that protects sobriety
• Relapse-prevention plans that include mental health warning signs
• No need to tell your story twice

What integrated treatment looks like in practice

At Affirm Behavioral Health, Christine Stryjewski has held CADC certification and worked in chemical dependency since 1991, alongside her LCSW. A first appointment includes a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment covering substance use, mental health history, medical conditions, and support systems. From there, treatment might combine Motivational Interviewing for ambivalence about change, CBT and DBT skills for cravings and emotional regulation, trauma-informed care, and relapse-prevention planning, all within the same weekly session.

Questions to ask any addiction counselor

Whether you work with Affirm Behavioral Health or another practice, these questions will help you find integrated care:

• Are you licensed to diagnose and treat mental health conditions as well as substance use?
• How do you handle trauma or depression that surfaces during recovery?
• Do you require abstinence before starting, or can we begin where I am?
• How do you coordinate with my doctor or psychiatrist?
• Do you offer family sessions?