A New Option for Oklahoma Addiction Professionals
ODAPCA is no longer the sole professional organization for Oklahoma Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors and other professionals treating addiction. NAADAC- The Association for Addiction Professionals is re-igniting its Oklahoma state affiliate, the Oklahoma Association for Addiction Professionals.
Pictured above: a cartoon scissor tailed fly catcher bird and the logo for the National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
NAADAC is a global membership organization for professionals focused on substance abuse disorders. NAADAC represents the professional interests of over 100,000 substance abuse counselors, educators, and other health professionals who address substance abuse issues throughout the U.S., Canada, and internationally. NAADACs members are addiction counselors, educators and other addiction-focused healthcare professionals specializing in addiction prevention, treatment, recovery support, and education.
NAADAC was founded in 1972 as the National Association of Alcoholism Counselors and Educators (NAACT), The organization changed its name in 1982 to the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). In 2001, NAADAC changed its name to "NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals" to reflect the increasing variety of addiction services provided by its professionals beyond that of solely treating drug and alcohol addiction.
The Oklahoma Counseling Institute recently corresponded with Jessica Wilson, MA, LADC/MH-S who is serving as the Secretary for the OKAAP. Mrs. Wilson informed OCI that the the Oklahoma chapter started in 2004, but has "experienced a season of change" resulting in OKAAP being inactive for many years. However, since 2017 a group of Oklahoma professionals have been working to re-ignite the chapter.
The reemergence of NAADAC in Oklahoma has been lead by Dr. Valerie McGaha, the current OKAAP President, with help from NAADAC leadership, Caitlin Hegwood, MS, ACADC, CCTS-I, the NAADAC Senior Affiliates Manager and Abby Willroth, NCAC I, RDS, ADC, IADC, SAP, MATC, the NAADAC Mid-South Regional Vice President.
Anyone is welcome to attend an OKAAP meeting. However, to be in a leadership position in OKAAP, one must be an NAADAC member. There are NAADAC memberships for all levels of addiction professions from interns to those who are retired.
The current goals of OKAAP is to fill leadership positions, create bylaws, and increase Oklahoma membership. After those are accomplished, OKAAP will work to bring trainings from around the nation to Oklahoma, advocate for clients and professionals, and work to be a leading force of change in the addiction field.
The next OKAAP meeting will be January 20th, 2023. Information about OKAAP can be found on its webpage, on it's NAADAC affiliate page, and through it's Facebook group.
The Oklahoma Counseling Institute is an approved CEU provider by the OBLADC and is proud to provide continuing education workshops, webinars, and on-demand courses for Oklahoma LADCs and CADCs.