Format
6 required courses (120 hours)
Delivery
Online | Learn more
Duration
Complete in 8 months, or up to 3 years
Addiction studies involve all aspects of addiction from initial understanding to prevention and treatment. It looks into how addiction affects people’s mental health, as well as their families and friends.
Current approaches and trends in addiction studies and treatment drive this in-depth program. Six online courses focus on addiction issues as they relate to health, mental health, social work, human resources and law enforcement. Learn about prevention, treatment, youth, physical and psychological addiction, mental health and family dynamics in this demanding field.
Through these online courses, gain an understanding of theories and models of substance abuse, indicators of dependence, and intervention and treatment strategies. Develop a deeper understanding of the most commonly assessed mental health and addiction-related issues, and how families influence and are influenced by addiction.
Acquire basic knowledge of drug classification systems and their physiological effects, as well as examining drug dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, methods of administration and motivating factors for drug use. As you work towards understanding adolescents and the unique considerations for this age group and addiction, you’ll examine the biological, cognitive and social development of adolescents.
Please note: This program is for those in the human service professions to support individuals experiencing an addiction. Becoming a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor requires the education and training listed on the CACCF website. If you have any questions about our program, contact our program team.
Professionals or para-professionals in the health and human service areas can achieve professional development with these courses. Each course is approved for 20 continuing education hours (CEUs) through the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF). You can also take courses for personal interest.
Highlights and benefits
Earn a recognized credential | Enhance your career prospects
Enhance your life | Develop your personal and professional skills
Real-world knowledge | Learn from experienced industry professionals
Earn CEU hours | Earn continuing education units toward CACCF
Online delivery | Enjoy the flexibility of online learning and complete this program from anywhere
Information session
Interested in learning more about our Addiction Studies Extension Certificate? Speak with program staff and instructors, and have your questions answered. Join us for a free virtual information session on Thursday, January 8, 2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. MST.
Register nowCourse schedule
Course schedule by semester
| Fall (Sept - Dec.) |
Winter (Jan - April) |
Spring/Summer (May - Aug.) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Addiction Studies: Overview | ON | ON | ON |
| Drugs and The Brain | ON | ON | ON |
| Addiction Prevention | ON | ON | ON |
| Addiction and the Family | ON | ON | ON |
| Understanding Adolescents and Addiction | ON | ON | ON |
| Addiction and Concurrent Mental Health Disorders | ON | ON | ON |
Legend
BL: Blended (Online & Classroom)
CL: Classroom
FT: Fast Track
ON: Online
IDS: Independent Study
P: Practicum
This schedule is subject to change. Courses start on various dates within each semester. Fall schedule and registration is available in June; Winter schedule and registration is available in November; and Spring/Summer schedule and registration is available in March.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this program intended for?
This program is intended for anyone in a position that may encounter individuals who are affected by substance abuse and addiction. Many people are directly or indirectly impacted by substance abuse and addiction, so it is important to note that the information in this program would benefit a vast number of roles that are not necessarily directly related to the field. This would include:
- Hospital staff
- Client care assistants
- Law enforcement personnel
- Correctional workers
- Shelter workers
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Child and youth care staff
- Health promotion
- Doctors and other medical professionals
- Political representatives and decision makers
- Policy makers
- Program managers
- Researchers
- Private sector professionals
- Students
What type of career options are available if I complete this certificate?
There is not one specific career option for people who complete this certificate. It can be used as a great addition to your resume to help you obtain a position in many different work environments, including, but not limited to:
- Hospital staff
- Client care assistants
- Law enforcement personnel
- Shelter workers
- Child and youth care staff
- Health promotion
- Working with doctors and other medical professionals
- Political representatives and decision makers
- Policy makers
- Program managers
- Researchers
- Private sector professionals
Note: additional education and training may be required for some positions.
Do I have to take the courses in order?
No, each course is designed to stand alone, but we suggest starting with XADD 10010 Addiction Studies: Overview.
How will I be graded in each course?
Each course has several graded assessments. These assessments vary per course; however, they are all designed to assess the outcomes of each course. These assessments include, but are not limited to, discussion posts, case studies, self-reflective questions, and quizzes.
How many hours am I expected to work on each course?
You should plan to access your D2L course site at least 3 times per week. Depending on the course, you can expect to spend approximately 5 hours per week reading material, completing learning activities or assignments, and attending Google Meet sessions.
Is attendance required for Google Meet sessions?
We recommend that you attend the Google Meet virtual sessions; however, they are not mandatory. Attending Google Meet sessions allows you to get to know your instructor and classmates and provides you with the opportunity to ask questions about content and assignments.
Will I be an Addiction Counselor after taking this program?
No, to become a counselor, or social worker you will need to further your education by getting a degree or diploma and becoming certified and licensed. This is an entry level certificate providing a broad range of information about addiction which may help to inform your current professional practice.
How many courses can I take at a time?
You can take as many courses as your schedule will allow. There are no restrictions on the number of courses you can take at one time.
Will I get a job once I'm done the certificate?
While having a professional certificate will certainly put you in a favourable position when looking for employment, there are many factors to consider for each individual that it would be impossible to pre-determine your employment success. Our graduate statistics have shown that a significant percentage of past students have experienced a measurable increase in salary, responsibility, and/or activity after completing our programs.
Will Mount Royal help me locate career opportunities?
No, Mount Royal does not have a system in place to assist students with career opportunities upon completion of our certificate. However, there are periodic job postings advertised on our website.
Additional information
Refer to CE Student Information for more information.
Program questions?