C.R.S. Section 12-245-803
Practice of addiction counseling defined

  • scope of practice

(1)

For the purposes of this part 8, “addiction counseling” means the application of general counseling theories and treatment methods adapted specifically for working with addictive and other behavioral health disorders. Addiction counselors work in a broad variety of disciplines but share an understanding of the addictive process. An addiction counselor identifies a variety of helping strategies that can be tailored to meet the needs of the client. Addiction counseling relies on the use of evidence-based practices that have been shown to be effective in treating addictive disorders.

(2)

The scope of practice of addiction counseling focuses on the following four transdisciplinary foundations that underlie the work of all addiction counselors:

(a)

Understanding addiction:
Includes knowledge of models and theories of addiction, including alcohol and substance use disorders; recognition of social, political, economic, and cultural contexts within which addiction exists; understanding the behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social effects of using addictive substances or engaging in addictive behaviors; and recognizing and understanding co-occurring disorders.

(b)

Treatment knowledge:
Includes the philosophies, practices, policies, and outcomes of the most generally accepted and scientifically supported models, along with research and outcome data, of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care for addictive disorders, including alcohol and substance use disorders. Treatment knowledge includes the ability to work effectively with families, significant others, social networks, and community systems in the treatment process and understanding the value of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment of addictive disorders, including alcohol and substance use disorders.

(c)

Application to practice:
Includes the ability to properly diagnose behavioral health disorders using appropriate assessment and testing instruments and placement criteria; stabilization to reduce negative effects of problematic behaviors; developing helping strategies and treatment levels of care based on the client’s stage of readiness for change; cultural competency; and familiarity with medical and pharmacological resources for treatment.

(d)

Professional readiness:
Includes an understanding of diverse cultures; cultivation of a high level of self-awareness; ability to use critical thinking skills; adherence to ethical standards of conduct; ongoing use of clinical supervision and consultation; crisis management; and knowledge of the importance of prevention and recovery management.

(3)

The primary practice dimensions of addiction counseling include the following competencies, as appropriate based on the level of certification or licensure and scope of practice:

(a)

Clinical evaluation, including screening and assessment;

(b)

Clinical intake, discharge, discharge planning, and referral;

(c)

Treatment planning;

(d)

Service coordination, including client advocacy, continuing care planning, and collaboration with other behavioral health professionals;

(e)

Counseling of individuals, groups, families, couples, and significant others;

(f)

Recovery management;

(g)

Case management;

(h)

Client, family, and community education;

(i)

Documentation required for a clinical record;

(j)

Professional and ethical practices;

(k)

Clinical supervision; and

(l)

Intervention.

(4)

Scope of practice - licensed addiction counselors.
Based on education, training, knowledge, and experience, the scope of practice of a licensed addiction counselor includes behavioral health counseling and may include the treatment of substance use disorders, addictive behavioral disorders, and co-occurring mental health disorders, including clinical evaluation and diagnosis, treatment planning, service coordination, case management, clinical documentation, professional and ethical responsibilities, education and psychotherapy with clients, family, and community, clinical supervisory responsibilities, and intervention.

Source: Section 12-245-803 — Practice of addiction counseling defined - scope of practice, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-12.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

12‑245‑101
Legislative declaration 12‑245‑201
Applicability of common provisions 12‑245‑202
Definitions 12‑245‑203
Practice outside of or beyond professional training, experience, or competence - general scope of practice for licensure, registration, or certification 12‑245‑203.5
Minors - consent for outpatient psychotherapy services - immunity - definition 12‑245‑204
Boards - division to supervise - meetings - duties - powers - rules - removal of members - limitation on authority 12‑245‑205
Fees - renewal 12‑245‑206
Records 12‑245‑207
Licensure by endorsement 12‑245‑208
Provisional license - fees 12‑245‑209
License - issuance 12‑245‑210
Prohibition against prescribing drugs or practicing medicine - exception for opiate antagonist 12‑245‑211
Collaborate with physician 12‑245‑212
Professional review committees - immunity 12‑245‑213
Professional service corporations for the practice of psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, and addiction counseling - definitions 12‑245‑214
Denial of license, registration, or certification - reinstatement 12‑245‑215
Legislative intent - schools and colleges - examinations 12‑245‑216
Mandatory disclosure of information to clients 12‑245‑217
Scope of article - exemptions 12‑245‑218
Title use restrictions 12‑245‑219
Judicial review of final board actions and orders 12‑245‑220
Disclosure of confidential communications - definitions 12‑245‑221
Article not to restrict other professions 12‑245‑222
Powers and duties of the boards - rules 12‑245‑223
Confidential agreement to limit practice 12‑245‑224
Prohibited activities - related provisions - definition 12‑245‑225
Authority of boards - cease-and-desist orders - rules - fines 12‑245‑226
Disciplinary proceedings - judicial review - mental and physical examinations - multiple licenses 12‑245‑227
Reconsideration and review of action of a board 12‑245‑228
Unauthorized practice - penalties 12‑245‑229
Licensee duties relating to assistance animals - definitions 12‑245‑230
Injunctive proceedings 12‑245‑231
Mental health professional peer health assistance program - fees - administration - rules - definition 12‑245‑232
Minimum standards for testing 12‑245‑233
Auricular acudetox by professionals - training - definition 12‑245‑234
Repeal of article - subject to review 12‑245‑301
Definitions 12‑245‑302
State board of psychologist examiners - created - members - terms 12‑245‑303
Practice of psychology defined 12‑245‑304
Qualifications - examinations - licensure and registration 12‑245‑305
Rights and privileges of licensure - title 12‑245‑306
Exemptions 12‑245‑307
Continuing professional development - rules 12‑245‑308
Psychology interjurisdictional compact act - powers and duties of the board - rules - definition 12‑245‑309
Prescription authority - psychotropic drugs - prescription certificates - requirements - issuance, denial, renewal, and revocation of certification - rules 12‑245‑401
Definitions 12‑245‑402
State board of social work examiners - created - members - terms 12‑245‑403
Social work practice defined 12‑245‑404
Qualifications - examination - licensure and registration 12‑245‑405
Rights and privileges of licensure and a social work degree - titles 12‑245‑406
Scope of part 12‑245‑407
Exemptions 12‑245‑408
Clinical social work practice of psychotherapy 12‑245‑409
Employees of social services 12‑245‑410
Continuing professional competency - rules - definition 12‑245‑501
Definitions 12‑245‑502
State board of marriage and family therapist examiners - created - members - terms 12‑245‑503
Marriage and family therapy practice defined 12‑245‑504
Qualifications - examination - licensure and registration 12‑245‑505
Rights and privileges of licensure and registration - title 12‑245‑506
Continuing professional competency - rules - definition 12‑245‑601
Definitions 12‑245‑602
State board of licensed professional counselor examiners - created - members - fines 12‑245‑603
Practice of licensed professional counseling defined 12‑245‑604
Licensure - examination - licensed professional counselors 12‑245‑605
Rights and privileges of licensure - title 12‑245‑606
Continuing professional competency - rules - definition 12‑245‑607
Interstate compact - powers and duties of the board - rules - definitions 12‑245‑701
Definitions 12‑245‑702
State board of unlicensed psychotherapists - creation - membership 12‑245‑703
Database of unlicensed psychotherapists - unauthorized practice - penalties - data collection - rules 12‑245‑704
Expenses of the board 12‑245‑705
Jurisdiction 12‑245‑801
Definitions 12‑245‑802
State board of addiction counselor examiners - created - members - terms 12‑245‑803
Practice of addiction counseling defined - scope of practice 12‑245‑804
Requirements for licensure, certification, and registration - rules 12‑245‑805
Rights and privileges of certification and licensure - titles 12‑245‑806
Continuing professional competency - rules - definition
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 12-245-803’s source at colorado​.gov