Addictions Counselling

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The two-year Addiction Counselling program will provide learners with comprehensive knowledge and preparation for a career in the addiction field. This program prepares learners to integrate theory and practical skills to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities. In addition to foundational skills, learners reflect on their beliefs and values to develop relevant professional skills to work with a diverse clientele including multicultural and Indigenous populations.

This program is available to International Students. Our Designated Learning Institute (DLI) number is O111010246767.

Please Note:  This program is eligible for post-graduate work permit (PGWP). Students must meet associated attendance requirements’ to be eligible for post-graduate work permit (PGWP).

Addictions Counsellor, Social Work

Admission Requirements Grade 12 or equivalent with:

  • English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%, or English Language Arts 30-2 at 70%
  • NOTE: Those who do not meet the admission requirements above are encouraged to look into Open Studies

Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide. In addition to these academic requirements, the following documentation must be provided:

  • Three academic/professional letters of reference (within the last 5 years)
  • Criminal Record Check
  • Child and Welfare Intervention Check
  • Signed Student Agreement declaring free from substance abuse

English Language Proficiency Information

Program Start/End Date
Year 1: August 28, 2025 to May 01, 2026

Application Deadline
Domestic: August 15, 2025

Delivery
On-site

Location
Lac La Biche Campus

Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50

Year 1

Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2025

Tuition $2,818.78
Student Association $116.70
Dental Insurance Fee $163.25
Health Insurance Fee $163.25
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Course Package & Materials $37.50
Mental Health First Aid $200.00
Total $3,636.76

 

Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2025

Tuition $2,818.78
Student Association $116.70
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Course Package & Materials $37.50
Total $3,110.26

Total tuition & mandatory fees for year:  $6,747.02

Part-time Fees
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $188. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $188.

Year 2

Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2025

Tuition $2,818.78
Student Association $116.70
Dental Insurance Fee $163.25
Health Insurance Fee $163.25
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Course Package & Materials $37.50
Assist Training $300.00
Total $3,736.76


Winter Term Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2025

Tuition $2,818.78
Student Association $116.70
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Course Package & Materials $37.50
Total $3,110.26

 

Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $6,847.02

Part-time Fees Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $188. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $188.

Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Tuition Deposit: $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)

Textbook Rentals Rentals can be arranged through the Portage College Bookstore: By Phone: Toll free 1.866.623.5551 ext. 5647 or 780.623.5647 Visit Portage Bookstore for other supplies.

Fee Explanations

Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.

Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.

Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.

Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.

Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.

As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.

International Student Fees
Application Fee $160.00
Tuition Deposit $5000.00 (non-refundable)

If you choose to pay the full tuition and mandatory fees, you may still be eligible for a refund of payments above the $5000 deposit, as per the Portage College refund policy.

Year 1

Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2025

Tuition $7,650.00
Student Association $116.70
Dental Insurance Fee $163.25
Health Insurance Fee $163.25
Guard Me Insurance $602.25
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Course Package & Materials $37.50
Mental Health First Aid $200.00
Total $9,070.23

 

Winter Term Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2025

Tuition $7,650.00
Student Association $116.70
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Course Package & Materials $37.50
Total $7,941.48

 

Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $17,011.71International Student Fees Year 2 Fall Term Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2025

Tuition $8,252.25
Student Association $116.70
Dental Insurance Fee $163.25
Health Insurance Fee $163.25
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Course Package & Materials $37.50
Assist Training $300.00
Total $9,170.23

 

Winter Term Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2025

Tuition $7,650.00
Student Association $116.70
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Course Package & Materials $37.50
Total $7,941.48

 

Total tuition & mandatory fees for year:  $17,111.71

Guaranteed yearly tuition for 2025-26 -Year 2 of program started 2025-26 not including mandatory fees:  $17,111.71

Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Textbook Rentals Rentals can be arranged through the Portage College Bookstore: By Phone: Toll free 1.866.623.5551 ext. 5647 or 780.623.5647 Visit Portage Bookstore for other supplies.

Fee Explanations

Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.

Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.

Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.

Athletics & Recreation Fees
 These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.

Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.

As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.

Click here to view Other Fees for Service

Domestic Apply

Use this process to apply to Portage College if you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (landed immigrant) or a protected person (refugee).

Domestic Funding Options

Browse through funding options available to students at Portage College to see what may be available to you.

Domestic Information Request

If you would like to receive more information about this program please use the Info Request Form linked here.

International Student Apply

International students, once you have chosen your program and checked the admission requirements you are now ready to apply for admission.

International Student Study Permit

Your study permit is the document that allows you to stay in Canada and study. It is different from a student visa, which is the document that allows you to enter Canada.

International Information Request

Our international student representatives are happy to answer your questions about programs, services and any immigration related questions that you may have. Please use the form link provided.

Addictions Counselling Year One Course Listing

This course focuses on the theories, practical skills, and broader issues to guide work in the field of addictions. Learners reflect on their beliefs and values to develop a professional practice drawing upon the richness and depth of Canada’s multicultural society and special populations. Learners explore the types of addictions, the breadth of addiction treatment theory, and how theory informs addiction treatment practice.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

Through practice and reflection, learners nurture personal and professional relationships using interpersonal communication skills. With a focus on other-oriented communication, learners demonstrate how inequities and power dynamics influence relationships.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This course helps students to develop the academic writing skills they use throughout their university studies. Students learn to identify good writing, and develop needed research, analytical, and organizational skills. Starting with building good sentences and paragraphs, the research essay is the most important genre in this course. By analyzing, summarizing, synthesizing, and critiquing a variety of texts, students learn how to develop their own analyses and arguments with appropriate and correctly documented primary and secondary sources. Readings by or about indigenous and minority peoples form no less than 50% of the readings in this course. A review of grammar and sentence structure is a key component of this course. Students are advised to choose a research topic in line with their career goals. Prerequisite 60% in ELA 30-1
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

Learners examine the theory and skills for intentional interviewing. The course focuses on the development of interviewing skills and the ability to adapt these skills to suit individual interviewee’s needs. Learners develop a portfolio of interviewing competencies to enhance their professional practice.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This course is a prerequisite to other psychology courses at Portage College. This Introductory psychology course is intended to inspire an interest in, and an appreciation for, the field of psychology. Topics in this course include the history of psychological science, psychological research methods, the structure and function of the brain and nervous system, learning, sensation, perception, memory, consciousness, thought, and language. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This course examines substances, both illicit and prescribed, and their potential physiological impacts from both historical and contemporary perspectives. Learners will examine substance classifications, regulations, treatments and interventions. In addition, learners address the effects of a variety of substances on basic human anatomy and physiology, and how those effects are potentially exacerbated by addictive substance use. Learners apply this knowledge in the creation of prevention plans, harm reduction plans, and interventions.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply foundational knowledge and skills in real-world settings under professional supervision. This experiential learning component is designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and frontline practice in the field of addiction services. The practicum emphasizes reflective learning, personal growth, and skill development, and includes both on-site activities and regular integration seminars facilitated by faculty. These seminars support students in connecting their practical experiences to theoretical concepts and encourage peer learning through group discussions and case reviews.
Hours: 210
Credits: 6

The course focuses on the signs and symptoms of various mental health disorders. Learners examine signs and risk factors of suicide including suicide behaviours for individuals within special populations including Aboriginal communities. In addition, learners identify the roles of members within multi-disciplinary teams and the resources and supports available.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

In this course, learners develop knowledge of and practice with assessment tools. Learners focus on the creation and management of documentation, including the maintenance of current, accurate, and objective case files and records. In addition, the course examines the fundamentals of case management and integrative client services.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This course provides an introduction to the diverse Indigenous Nations of Canada, while looking at the effects of colonialism in both historical and contemporary times, and from multiple perspectives. This course will orient learners to the current goals and challenges of Indigenous communities in Canada today. Learners are encouraged to situate themselves in Truth and Reconciliation and the Calls to Action, especially as they relate to their chosen field of work.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This course is designed to help social work students gain fundamental knowledge of the social welfare policies that shape and guide generalist social work practice. The history of social policies and how they are influenced by economic and political environments are explored. A critical lens is applied to examine the impact of social policies on marginalized populations. Pre/Corequisite SOCW 132
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

Addictions Counselling Year Two Course Listing

This course explores key theories and evidence-based models of addiction treatment, including harm reduction, abstinence-based approaches, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. Students will learn how to apply a broad variety of approaches in community settings while considering ethical, cultural, and trauma-informed perspectives. Emphasis is placed on developing practical skills in assessment, treatment planning, and intervention strategies.

This course examines the impact of addiction on families and the critical role family systems play in the recovery process. Students will explore topics such as codependency, enabling behaviors, intergenerational trauma, and family dynamics in the context of substance use. Emphasis is placed on culturally sensitive, trauma-informed approaches and family-centered interventions. Students will gain foundational skills to support families affected by addiction through education, communication strategies, and referral to appropriate services.

This course involves the exploration of the concepts of living a balanced life according to the Medicine Wheel in the areas of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Learners will be able to incorporate Medicine Wheel-informed wellness activities to support clients on their journey of healing.

This course explores the development of the person through the stages of infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and death. Each stage of human development will be studied from a physical, cognitive, and psychosocial perspective. The course will include developmental influences related to family systems and culture. Prerequisites: PSYC104
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

A key issue in addiction is client relapse. This course examines prevention through the use of relapse planning strategies such as identifying and coping with high-risk situations, enhancing self-efficacy, eliminating myths, relapse management, and cognitive restructuring. Learners also focus on how to design, implement, and evaluate prevention programs and practices that meet the needs of the community. In addition, learners plan for the integration for holistic and cultural approaches to support Aboriginal and special populations.

The efficacy of program development delivery and evaluation is key to the addiction field. In this course, learners examine the cycle of program development using a range of evaluation models. Learners develop skills in program evaluation including conducting needs assessments, focus groups, and survey methodologies.

In this course, learners build on previous learning and practice to develop advanced addiction services skills. The practicum placement provides further opportunities to integrate theory into increasingly independent professional practice. Learners work within interdisciplinary teams to develop advanced skills and intervention strategies for clients and communities.

This course introduces students to the core principles and techniques of Motivational Interviewing (MI), a client-centered, evidence-based approach to supporting behavior change in individuals with substance use issues. Students will learn how to apply MI strategies such as expressing empathy, developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance, and supporting self-efficacy. Emphasis is placed on building practical communication skills to enhance client motivation and readiness for change. Through interactive exercises and role-playing, students will gain hands-on experience in using MI within addiction treatment settings.