Challenge your potential, while making a difference, with a rewarding career in the healthcare sector. Take advantage of our small class sizes to get the attention and guidance you need from our highly-skilled instructors.
This 47-week diploma program will help you develop group-facilitation skills as well as entry-level skills in 1-to-1 counselling. Aside from classes on addiction, pharmacology, treatment planning, and counselling, you will also take courses on digital literacy, student success strategies, and career planning. Cap off your program with an 8-week internship to earn valuable hands-on experience that employers seek.
This Addiction Worker program is offered online through live, instructor-led sessions that combine the flexibility of online learning with real-time interaction and support from experienced instructors. During the course of the program, students can access campus support at several locations, including Toronto, London, Mississauga, Brampton, Kitchener, Hamilton, Ottawa, and Windsor, ensuring they receive the assistance they need.
Career Opportunities
As an Addiction Worker graduate, you will qualify for positions such as: Addiction Worker, Distress Centre Support Worker, Group Home Worker, and Outreach Worker.
Note that some career options may require advanced degrees, further training or experience.
Employers Who Have Hired triOS Grads
YMCA
Canadian Centre for Addictions
Social Services
Toronto Community Housing
McMaster Children’s Hospital
United Way Toronto
Goodwill Toronto
HIV/AIDS Connection
Salary
93%
Employment Rate
$26
Average Wage/HR**
$37
High Wage/HR**
*Employment Rate based on 2023 contactable triOS graduates employed in a related field within 12 months.
Source: workingincanada.gc.ca
NOC Code: 42201 - **Wage data rounded down to the nearest dollar. Average wage doesn't reflect the starting salary but represents the middle value between lowest to highest wages. Local (or regional) income may vary. Last updated in March 2025.
Are you interested in helping victims of substance abuse? Do you want to address issues like addiction and bring forward change in peoples’ lives? If so, then the Addiction Worker program is just what you need to kickstart your career into this rewarding field.
This program is designed to provide you with the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills required for employment as an Addiction Worker. You will learn to apply the principles of addiction, pharmacology and structured relapse prevention planning. You will gain practical skills in intake, assessment, motivational interviewing and treatment planning with a strong emphasis on case management and professional ethics. Course coverage includes an in-depth study of family dynamics and addiction as well as special populations: First Nations and other ethnic/cultural groups, youth, sexual minorities, elderly, concurrent disorders, homeless, gender (women), crime, HIV/AIDS and suicidal clients. Principles of communication are explored in great depth and students will explore anger and stress management techniques. A strong focus is given to presentation skills, Microsoft Office applications, documentation and record keeping, the ability to multitask and prioritize, organizational and detail skills, professional telephone manner, confidentiality, interpersonal skills and being a team player.
Students enrolled in the program receive:
Microsoft Office and Windows are included in the tuition costs.
Course Listings
Anger & Stress Management Techniques
This course provides a foundation for developing anger & stress management techniques. Topics include anger management & stress management. On completion of this course the student will have gained a foundational understanding of managing emotional life issues especially anger, rage and anxiety.
AW internship
Case Management & Ethics
This course provides an introduction to case management and ethical practices. Topics include ethics and other professional responsibilities, case management roles and functions, developing service plans, mental status exam and the DSM-IV. On completion of this course the student will have gained a foundational understanding of case management and its applications. This course also involves creating a general awareness to ethical issues and other professional responsibilities.
Career Planning & Preparation - Level 1
This module introduces tools for planning and preparing for a successful job search, so that students can maintain a career-focused approach throughout their education program. Students will learn how to research opportunities and network for industry contacts, and use appropriate etiquette when communicating with prospective employers. Students will identify their personal skills, values and preferences for the workplace, begin preparation of a professional resume, cover letter, thank you note and references. Class discussions on various self-management topics introduced in Student Success Strategies will round out this module, which is a pre-requisite for Career Planning and Preparation – Level 2.
Career Planning & Preparation - Level 2
This module continues to build on the concepts and skills introduced in Career Planning and Preparation - Level I. Students will learn how to conduct an effective job search and identify various methods of applying for work with today’s technology. Students will create a personal list of “Top Employers” and target current industry opportunities, while finalizing their professional resume, portfolio and career correspondence. Students will learn to identify the different types and forms of interviews, practice responding to typical questions, and practice follow-up, evaluation and negotiation techniques they can use to ensure success. Self-management topics from Career Planning and Preparation - Level I will be reviewed, with a focus towards on-the-job success in both learner placements and post-graduate employment.
Career Planning and Preparation - Level 1
This course will introduce you to and provide practice in using the tools required for a successful job search. The concepts covered in this course will help you maintain a career-focused approach throughout your studies so that you are better prepared to conduct a job search after graduating. Specifically, you will learn how to identify your soft and hard skills and how to articulate your abilities in a clear and concise Elevator Pitch that will appeal to employers and resonate with industry contacts. You will learn about the job search resources available to you including using career websites, creating LinkedIn profiles, accessing the “hidden” job market, and networking. You will examine sample résumés and cover letters and begin the process of creating your own professional résumés and cover letters that align with current conventions for content, organization, and formatting. You will also learn about the role of references, thank you letters, workplace philosophies, and strategies for success including maintaining a professional image and using proper etiquette when communicating with potential employers and industry contacts.
Career Planning and Preparation – Level 2
This course builds on concepts and skills introduced in the Career Planning and Preparation Level 1 course. In this subsequent course, you will update and refine your résumé and LinkedIn Profile. You will continue writing cover letters and learn the value of customizing cover letters to specific job postings. You will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge as you conduct a job search and write a cover letter tailored to an ideal job post. Through research, you will create a list of top employers and target current industry opportunities. You will learn about current methods for applying to job postings using technology. You will also gain an understanding of the job interview process, typical interview questions and possible responses, and expectations of both the interviewer and interviewee. In addition, you will engage in practical application of the interview process through role-play. Topics such as negotiating salary, self-management, and on-the-job success for placements and post-graduate employment will be also covered.
Addiction, Crime and Psychology
This course provides a basic understanding of psychology including a historical overview, concurrent disorders (major psychological disorders), rational emotive therapy, self motivations, values and morality. The course also provides insight into addiction & crime and explores anomie theory and motivation as well as opportunity theory. The course also involves the
In-depth study of the autobiography of Serge Leclerc.
Digital Literacy for Professionals
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and principles of learning and working in a digital environment. This course will cover the following elements: using devices and handling information, creating and editing information, communicating and collaborating, and being safe and responsible online.
Family Dynamics & Addictions
This course provides a basic study of the alcoholic family in recovery. Topics include when the drinking/drugging stops, process of families in recovery, assessing family functioning and the stages of families in recovery. On completion of this course the student will have gained a foundational understanding of addiction as a family disease. This course also involves creating an experiential understanding of the effects of addiction on the family.
Group & Individual Substance Abuse Counselling
In this course students will be introduced to the foundation of counselling the alcohol and drug dependent client. Topics include treatment principles, counseling techniques, the individual, treatment & group counseling therapy principles and modalities. The student will also participate in challenging exercises that promote skill development, conceptual understand and self-awareness. On completion of this course the student will have gained a foundational understanding of counselling clients with substance abuse issues in group and individual settings. This course also involves creating an experiential understanding of group dynamics as well as group design and implementation.
Personal and Professional Health Development of the Counsellor
This course provides a foundation for positive health development of the counselor. Topics include depression & despair, sleep deprivation, healthy supports & relationships, dealing with loneliness and grief, spirituality & self-esteem, humor & laughter and nutrition & exercise. On completion of this course the student will have gained a foundational understanding of healthy counselor development.
Intake, Assessment and Interviewing
This course provides a study of addiction related intake, assessment and interviewing techniques. Topics include screening & intake, DSM 5, Motivational Interviewing & Stages of Change, interviewing youth and suicide, assessment and intervention. On completion of this course the student will have gained a foundational understanding of screening, intake, assessment and interviewing processes. Upon completion of this course the student will demonstrate confident assessment and interviewing skills.
Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Theory
This course provides an introduction to Cognitive Theory for Addictions. Upon completion of this course the student will have gained a basic foundation of the theory, practice and application of Cognitive Behaviour Theory in the area of addictions.
Pharmacology
This course provides an introduction to pharmacology. Topics include classes of drugs and drugs within each class; basic principles of drug pharmacology; drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion; therapeutic and toxic effects; endogenous and exogenous substances; effects of drugs on behavior, cognition and emotions; CNS and PNS studies; neurons and neurotransmitters; liver diseases, GI tract absorption disorders related to drug use; blood brain barrier; first pass metabolism and dose-response relationship. On completion of this course the student will have gained a foundational understanding of the basic principles of drug pharmacology with emphasis specific to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Principles of Communication
This course provides a foundation for developing communication skills. Topics include verbal and non-verbal communication, sensory data, power, affiliation and achievement, questions, values and beliefs. On completion of this course the student will have gained a foundational understanding of necessary communication skills needed for counseling. This course also involves extensive practical exercises.
Principles of Addiction
This course provides a foundation for the study of addictions. Topics include substance abuse trends, statistics and effects in society; theories, treatment modalities, prevention and intervention ideals; classes of drugs and study of drugs within each class; addiction and its effects. The Principles of Addiction course also introduces students to a deeper insight into addictions through study of Dr. Gabor Mate’s book ‘In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts’; Close Encounters with Addiction. On completion of this course the student will have gained a foundational understanding of addiction and its applications. This course also involves creating a general awareness to ethical issues and practices. This course will allow the opportunity for students to interact and understand the relevance of addiction and the impact on society.
Process Addictions
This course provides a basic foundation for the study of process addictions. Topics include: compulsive gambling, sex addiction, eating disorders, work-a-holism and compulsive buying.
Structured Relapse Prevention Planning
This course provides a study of structured relapse prevention and the nature of the cycle of addiction. Topics include relapse prevention overview and trends, understanding relapse behavior, treatment modalities and post acute withdrawal. On completion of this course the student will have gained a foundational understanding of structured relapse prevention and its applications. This course also involves creating a general awareness of the role of the structured relapse prevention counselor.
Addiction Resources & Networking
This course provides intense research and study of community agencies specific to the field of addictions. On completion of this course the student will have gained a in-depth study of community agencies and services available to support individuals suffering from addictions. This course also involves creating a network catalogue which the student can reference in the workplace.
Special Populations
This course provides a basic study of the effects of substance abuse and chemical dependency on special populations. Special populations covered: Natives & other ethnic/cultural groups, youth, sexual minorities (LGBT), elderly, co-occurring disabilities, homeless, gender (women) and suicidal clients.
Secondary Traumatic Stress
This course provides a foundational understanding of secondary traumatic stress. Topics include secondary traumatic stress, trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, vicarious trauma, the therapist-supports / barriers / sorting styles & dual relationships.
Student Success Strategies
This course stresses the importance of developing non-technical skills to enhance personal, academic and career success. This includes understanding learning styles and honing practical study skills, such as memory, reading, note- and test-taking techniques. Personal exercises will focus on teamwork, decision making and problem solving skills, setting goals and maintaining a positive attitude techniques for managing change, stress and conflict will also be explored.
Treatment Planning
This course provides an established standard for writing effective and efficient treatment plans in the treatment of addictions. Topics include developing and writing treatment plans, goals, objectives, presenting problems, measuring success and outcomes. This course will also involve creating a treatment plan for Crickett. Upon completion of this course students will have gained practical application of establishing effective and efficient treatment plans.
Admission Requirements
– High school graduation diploma, or Mature Student Status (for more information please refer to the Program Outline at the top of this page or speak to your Education Consultant)
– Student must provide a clear Vulnerable Sector Check.
Career Quiz
Take a quick and easy quiz to find out more about yourself, your goals, and identify your strengths and social style. This quiz gives you suggestions for what career areas you might consider based on your likes and preferences. Give it a try now!
