Drug and Alcohol Counselling

eLearning course with Tutor Support accredited by ABC Awards

Students have 6 months to work at their own pace and can start at any time of year

Tutor-supported
eLearning course with Tutor Support.

Certificate
Leads to an endorsed award.

Flexible
Start any time and work at your own pace.

Learn anywhere
Learn anytime, anywhere.

Drug and Alcohol Counselling

€395

or 3 interest-free payments with Klarna Logo

Course Details

This Drug and Alcohol Counselling course is designed for people who wish to gain an awareness of drug and alcohol misuse and practice methods of counselling clients who misuse substances. The objectives of the course are to enable learners to (1) obtain a better understanding about drugs and alcohol misuse, (2) obtain knowledge about the different types of drugs available and their side effects and use, (3) obtain a better understanding why people take drugs, (4) gain a better understanding about why people use Alcohol, (5) find out what treatment is available in your area and how to access it, (6) find out how to set up a drug or alcohol abuse treatment programme in your area, and to (7) understand the principles of drug and alcohol misuse counselling.

Students receive a course manual, assignments and study guide plus tutor support. The course documentation for this ABC Awards accredited course is detailed and easy to read. Your Tutor will support you throughout the duration of the course. Our student support team are also available for any other queries that you may have whilst completing your course. You can be assured that support is available for your course, so there is no need to struggle or feel isolated during your studies.

Who should complete this Drug and Alcohol Counselling Course?
  • Aspiring Counsellors: Ideal for individuals considering a career in counselling, particularly focusing on drug and alcohol misuse, offering knowledge about substance abuse and counselling principles.
  • Parents, Teachers, and Youth Workers: These individuals can benefit from the course by gaining skills to understand and address substance misuse among young people, enhancing their ability to support and guide them.
  • Healthcare Professionals: Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers can use the course to better understand the effects of drugs and alcohol on the body and the principles of addiction treatment.
  • Social Workers and Community Health Workers: Professionals in these fields can apply their knowledge from the course in community drug and alcohol prevention programmes and support individuals struggling with substance abuse.
  • Law Enforcement Officers: Understanding drug and alcohol misuse and related crimes can be beneficial for law enforcement personnel in their efforts to address substance-related issues within communities.
Entry Requirements / Prerequisites

How CMIT eLearning Works…

Play
Topics covered in this Drug and Alcohol Counselling Course
Unit 1: Introduction
  • General introduction
  • Social drinking and drug abuse
  • Information on drugs imports into Ireland and the European Union
Unit 2: The A-Z of drugs – effects, risks and the law
  • Introduction
  • Drugs and the law
  • Overview of individual drugs
Unit 3: Alcohol abuse
  • Binge drinking
  • The effect of alcohol on the human body
  • Alcohol and crime
Unit 4: Why people use drugs and alcohol
  • Attitudes about drugs
Unit 5: Drug and alcohol prevention and awareness
  • Drug and alcohol prevention programmes in Ireland
Unit 6: The basics of counselling
  • The role of the counsellor
  • The basics of counselling
  • Guidelines for good practice and care
Unit 7: Traditional Counselling Styles
  • Individual therapy
  • Couples therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Who goes to counselling?
Unit 8: Counselling for Alcohol problems
  • Introduction
  • Identifying alcohol problems
  • When a client may seek counselling
  • Treatment strategies
  • The sessions
Unit 9: Counselling for Substance Misuse
  • Types of illegal drugs
  • What causes substance abuse?
  • Identifying substance abuse
  • When a client may seek counselling
  • The aims of substance abuse counselling
  • Treatment approaches
  • The therapeutic process
  • The sessions
Assessment
  • This course is assessed through a series of tutor-marked assignments. There is no exam for this course.
Accreditation
  • This course has been endorsed by ABC Awards and Certa Awards. The Quality Licence Scheme endorses high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes.  This course and/or training programme is not regulated by Ofqual and is not an accredited qualification. CMIT can advise you on any further recognition, for example, progression routes into further and/or higher education.
  • A QLS award at level 3 is roughly equivalent to a Level 5 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
  • More information can be found on the CMIT Accreditation Details page.

Request Prospectus

Complete the form below to request a prospectus.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Opt in

Student Reviews of this course

4.9
4.9 out of 5 stars (based on 43 reviews)
Excellent91%
Very good7%
Average2%
Poor0%
Terrible0%

No Title

October 14, 2025

I found the course very informative and well structured. The material was clearly explained and easy to follow, and the assignments helped me to apply what I learned in a practical way. I feel that I have gained valuable knowledge and skills that will be useful in my future work.

Student October 2025

No Title

August 8, 2025

The course has been very engaging and well-structured so far. The materials are clear, and the tutor support has been excellent, making it easy to stay motivated and progress with my studies.

Student August 2025

No Title

August 5, 2025

I found the course very informative and enjoyed it

Student July 2025

The course was so helpful and i like all as regards the course I have chosen. If i could just to share my opinion I only have a one thought- i found the last task a little bit too long and for me would be easier for example to divide this task from the long one into two.

August 28, 2024

The course was so helpful and i like all as regards the course I have chosen. If i could just to share my opinion I only have a one thought- i found the last task a little bit too long and for me would be easier for example to divide this task from the long one into two.

Student August 2024
Verified

Thoroughly enjoyable and hugely informative.

July 26, 2024

Thoroughly enjoyable and hugely informative.

Student July 2024
Verified

It's good, helpful and informative.

July 1, 2024

It’s good, helpful and informative.

Student June 2024
Verified

I'm very happy doing this course, I'm really enjoying it.

June 17, 2024

I’m very happy doing this course, I’m really enjoying it.

Student June 2024
Verified

Brilliant course, looking for my next course with CMIT.

April 29, 2024

Brilliant course, looking for my next course with CMIT.

Student April 2024
Verified

Very interesting and well-presented.

February 14, 2024

Very interesting and well-presented.

Student February 2024
Verified

Very easy to understand the material.

December 4, 2023

Very easy to understand the material.

Student December 2023
Verified

Really interesting and fully enjoyed it.

October 9, 2023

Really interesting and fully enjoyed it.

Student October 2023
Verified

I think this is a very good course as it increased my awareness of alcohol and its place in Irish culture.

April 19, 2022

I think this is a very good course as it increased my awareness of alcohol and its place in Irish culture.

Student April 2022
Verified

Its very informative.

April 7, 2022

Its very informative.

Student April 2022
Verified

Brilliant course, excellent tutors.

March 3, 2022

Brilliant course, excellent tutors.

Student February 2022
Verified

The courses are very well laid out, affordable, and there is always great help and support. I really enjoyed the course, and would always highly recommend CMIT to family and friends.

February 18, 2022

The courses are very well laid out, affordable, and there is always great help and support. I really enjoyed the course, and would always highly recommend CMIT to family and friends.

Student February 2022
Verified

Always very well explained, and in great detail so the course is always full of information online, or by phone. Course is excellent throughout, no improvements needed.

January 6, 2022

Always very well explained, and in great detail so the course is always full of information online, or by phone. Course is excellent throughout, no improvements needed.

Student January 2022
Verified

there was more than I expected within the course which was a good thing , it was challenging but very understanding at the same time. I have learnt so much and I am more than happy with how it all went.

December 21, 2021

there was more than I expected within the course which was a good thing , it was challenging but very understanding at the same time. I have learnt so much and I am more than happy with how it all went.

Student December 2021
Verified

Excellent and informative course.

December 21, 2021

Excellent and informative course.

Student December 2021
Verified

Excellent and informative course.

December 21, 2021

Excellent and informative course.

Student December 2021
Verified

Amazing learning in this course, i would strongly advise.

February 17, 2021

Amazing learning in this course, i would strongly advise.

Student February 2021
Verified

This course is amazing. I am loving the content.

December 2, 2020

This course is amazing. I am loving the content.

Student December 2020
Verified

The provided learning information with examples is clear to understand. Good communication and quick response from a tutor is a valuable point going trough online course. The overall opinion is positive.

November 12, 2020

The provided learning information with examples is clear to understand. Good communication and quick response from a tutor is a valuable point going trough online course. The overall opinion is positive.

Student November 2020
Verified

i had a great experience.

August 11, 2020

i had a great experience.

Student August 2020
Verified

Excellent course, very enjoyable.

July 20, 2020

Excellent course, very enjoyable.

Student July 2020
Verified

Currently enjoying completing this course. Tutor feedback was very helpful and very quick after sending each assignment.

June 22, 2020

Currently enjoying completing this course. Tutor feedback was very helpful and very quick after sending each assignment.

Student June 2020
Verified

The course is very interesting and the material is straight forward and easy to learn from.

May 21, 2020

The course is very interesting and the material is straight forward and easy to learn from.

Student May 2020
Verified

I really enjoyed doing this course and looking forward to doing my next course with CMIT.

November 15, 2019

I really enjoyed doing this course and looking forward to doing my next course with CMIT.

Student November 2019
Verified

I am really enjoying the course it's very informative and interesting.

November 7, 2019

I am really enjoying the course it’s very informative and interesting.

Student November 2019
Verified

Strongly recommend it for anyone who's interested in this.

May 22, 2019

Strongly recommend it for anyone who’s interested in this.

Student May 2019
Verified

Overall I think the course is great and strongly recommend this for anyone who is either considering becoming a counsellor. For self knowledge or an interest in this. Very worth it and have been gaining and also learning from this course

February 26, 2019

Overall I think the course is great and strongly recommend this for anyone who is either considering becoming a counsellor. For self knowledge or an interest in this. Very worth it and have been gaining and also learning from this course

Student February 2019
Verified

I very much enjoyed the course as it was very interesting and informative.

February 4, 2019

I very much enjoyed the course as it was very interesting and informative.

Student February 2019
Verified

Very happy i took this course.

December 17, 2018

Very happy i took this course.

Student December 2018
Verified

It is amazing.

November 15, 2018

It is amazing.

Student Novemver 2018
Verified

Being a psychological counselor myself, the course was very helpful in enhancing my knowledge in Drug & Alcohol Counselling. The course is very up to date.

July 19, 2018

Being a psychological counselor myself, the course was very helpful in enhancing my knowledge in Drug & Alcohol Counselling. The course is very up to date.

Student July 2018
Verified

I am enjoy completing this course!

June 20, 2018

I am enjoy completing this course!

Student June 2018
Verified

Laid out very well. No issues with accessing it and all information is very interesting.

February 13, 2018

Laid out very well. No issues with accessing it and all information is very interesting.

Student February 2018
Verified

I thought the course was very challenging. I found it difficult to get started but the support I got from the CMIT staff was great. It was a great learning experience, I learned so much.

October 9, 2017

I thought the course was very challenging. I found it difficult to get started but the support I got from the CMIT staff was great. It was a great learning experience, I learned so much.

Student October 2017
Verified

The was very informative and I look forward to using the skills I have acquired in the future.

October 9, 2017

The was very informative and I look forward to using the skills I have acquired in the future.

Student October 2017
Verified

I would recommend CMIT for an distance learning course as they have been very helpful to me. My expectations were met at all times.

August 9, 2017

I would recommend CMIT for an distance learning course as they have been very helpful to me. My expectations were met at all times.

Student August 2017
Verified

I found the course to be very informative and enjoyable.

June 9, 2017

I found the course to be very informative and enjoyable.

Student June 2017
Verified

I find the course very interesting and quite enjoyable. The assignments are great as they make me work my brain more and really get into the course.

March 9, 2017

I find the course very interesting and quite enjoyable. The assignments are great as they make me work my brain more and really get into the course.

Student March 2017
Verified

The course was very informative and up to date. I have to say I was very pleased with everything and always felt I could message my tutor with any query and I always got a reply.

March 9, 2017

The course was very informative and up to date. I have to say I was very pleased with everything and always felt I could message my tutor with any query and I always got a reply.

Student March 2017
Verified

Overall, I think the people are very helpful. Fast responses from the office staff are what made me chose CMIT over the competition, while feedback from tutor was timely, informative and very helpful. The process of signing up was simple, and website is very user friendly.

January 9, 2017

Overall, I think the people are very helpful. Fast responses from the office staff are what made me chose CMIT over the competition, while feedback from tutor was timely, informative and very helpful. The process of signing up was simple, and website is very user friendly.

Student January 2017
Verified

Request A Prospectus

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Opt in
College of Management and IT (CMIT)
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Click here to view our Privacy Policy