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Hello everyone,

I am a master’s-level licensed clinical social worker in Michigan. Early in my career, I worked at a substance abuse rehabilitation center where I began the development plan process for my Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) credential.

Now, a few years later, I have completed the CAADC exam and all remaining certification requirements. I currently provide advanced substance use treatment in an outpatient setting through the small private practice where I work.

I’m curious to hear from others who hold this certification. Have you found that the CAADC helped you attract more clients, increase your pay, or expand your professional opportunities? Are you able to market yourself as a diagnostic or specialized substance use professional because of this credential? If so, how have you leveraged it in your career?

I would really appreciate hearing about others’ experiences and any advice you may have. Thank you!

Hello everyone,

I am a master’s-level licensed clinical social worker in Michigan. Early in my career, I worked at a substance abuse rehabilitation center where I began the development plan process for my Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) credential.

Now, a few years later, I have completed the CAADC exam and all remaining certification requirements. I currently provide advanced substance use treatment in an outpatient setting through the small private practice where I work.

I’m curious to hear from others who hold this certification. Have you found that the CAADC helped you attract more clients, increase your pay, or expand your professional opportunities? Are you able to market yourself as a diagnostic or specialized substance use professional because of this credential? If so, how have you leveraged it in your career?

I would really appreciate hearing about others’ experiences and any advice you may have. Thank you!

Hi, I’m a 26-year-old female, 5'4 203 lbs, and I’ve been really struggling with my self-image and weight lately. I feel especially discouraged because my progress has been very “yo-yo.”

I worked with a nutritionist weekly and tracked calories for 9 months. During that time, I lost about 10 pounds—but as soon as I stopped seeing her, the weight came back within 3 months. That’s been really frustrating and disheartening.

I have ADHD and sometimes struggle with impulse control, but I generally stick to normal portion sizes. I also have prediabetes, and my doctor suggested an injection medication, but I’m not comfortable going that route right now.

I’ve tried a lot of different forms of exercise—Pilates, walking, swimming, biking, running, floor workouts—and even when I was working out 3+ times a week, I didn’t see much change.

Right now, I typically eat 2–3 meals a day and stay between 1,500–1,700 calories (occasionally up to 2,000). I’ve really tried to approach weight loss in a healthy way, especially since I had a more restrictive relationship with food in middle school along with some food insecurity. Lately, though, those old thoughts have been getting louder again, even though I’ve done a lot of work to build body acceptance.

I’m currently seeing a therapist every other week, and I’ve worked extensively with a dietitian (30+ visits). I’ve also talked with my doctor about whether medications could be affecting things.

I’m feeling pretty stuck and honestly a bit hopeless right now. I want to show myself compassion, but I also recognize that what I’m doing isn’t getting results.

This was recently triggered by seeing a group photo of myself with other women at a concert—I found myself comparing a lot, and it really got to me.

I don’t feel comfortable dropping to 1,200 calories or less, but I also don’t know what will actually help me lose weight and keep it off. I’ve made significant changes to my diet and lifestyle over the past two years, but I haven’t seen the progress I was hoping for.

Any advice, insight, or encouragement would really mean a lot right now.

Hi, I’m a 26-year-old female, 5'4 203 lbs, and I’ve been really struggling with my self-image and weight lately. I feel especially discouraged because my progress has been very “yo-yo.”

I worked with a nutritionist weekly and tracked calories for 9 months. During that time, I lost about 10 pounds—but as soon as I stopped seeing her, the weight came back within 3 months. That’s been really frustrating and disheartening.

I have ADHD and sometimes struggle with impulse control, but I don’t binge eat and I generally stick to normal portion sizes. I also have prediabetes, and my doctor suggested an injection medication, but I’m not comfortable going that route right now.

I’ve tried a lot of different forms of exercise—Pilates, walking, swimming, biking, running, floor workouts—and even when I was working out 3+ times a week, I didn’t see much change.

Right now, I typically eat 2–3 meals a day and stay between 1,500–1,700 calories (occasionally up to 2,000). I’ve really tried to approach weight loss in a healthy way, especially since I had a more restrictive relationship with food in middle school along with some food insecurity. Lately, though, those old thoughts have been getting louder again, even though I’ve done a lot of work to build body acceptance.

I’m currently seeing a therapist every other week, and I’ve worked extensively with a dietitian (30+ visits). I’ve also talked with my doctor about whether medications could be affecting things.

I’m feeling pretty stuck and honestly a bit hopeless right now. I want to show myself compassion, but I also recognize that what I’m doing isn’t getting results.

This was recently triggered by seeing a group photo of myself with other women at a concert—I found myself comparing a lot, and it really got to me.

I don’t feel comfortable dropping to 1,200 calories or less, but I also don’t know what will actually help me lose weight and keep it off. I’ve made significant changes to my diet and lifestyle over the past two years, but I haven’t seen the progress I was hoping for.

Any advice, insight, or encouragement would really mean a lot right now.

Hi, I’m a 26-year-old female, 5'4 203 lbs, and I’ve been really struggling with my self-image and weight lately. I feel especially discouraged because my progress has been very “yo-yo.”

I worked with a nutritionist weekly and tracked calories for 9 months. During that time, I lost about 10 pounds—but as soon as I stopped seeing her, the weight came back within 3 months. That’s been really frustrating and disheartening.

I have ADHD and sometimes struggle with impulse control, but I don’t binge eat and I generally stick to normal portion sizes. I also have prediabetes, and my doctor suggested an injection medication, but I’m not comfortable going that route right now.

I’ve tried a lot of different forms of exercise—Pilates, walking, swimming, biking, running, floor workouts—and even when I was working out 3+ times a week, I didn’t see much change.

Right now, I typically eat 2–3 meals a day and stay between 1,500–1,700 calories (occasionally up to 2,000). I’ve really tried to approach weight loss in a healthy way, especially since I had a more restrictive relationship with food in middle school along with some food insecurity. Lately, though, those old thoughts have been getting louder again, even though I’ve done a lot of work to build body acceptance.

I’m currently seeing a therapist every other week, and I’ve worked extensively with a dietitian (30+ visits). I’ve also talked with my doctor about whether medications could be affecting things.

I’m feeling pretty stuck and honestly a bit hopeless right now. I want to show myself compassion, but I also recognize that what I’m doing isn’t getting results.

This was recently triggered by seeing a group photo of myself with other women at a concert—I found myself comparing a lot, and it really got to me.

I don’t feel comfortable dropping to 1,200 calories or less, but I also don’t know what will actually help me lose weight and keep it off. I’ve made significant changes to my diet and lifestyle over the past two years, but I haven’t seen the progress I was hoping for.

Any advice, insight, or encouragement would really mean a lot right now.

Hi, I’m a 26-year-old female, 203 lbs, and I’ve been really struggling with my self-image and weight lately. I feel especially discouraged because my progress has been very “yo-yo.”

I worked with a nutritionist weekly and tracked calories for 9 months. During that time, I lost about 10 pounds—but as soon as I stopped seeing her, the weight came back within 3 months. That’s been really frustrating and disheartening.

I have ADHD and sometimes struggle with impulse control, but I don’t binge eat and I generally stick to normal portion sizes. I also have prediabetes, and my doctor suggested a injection medication, but I’m not comfortable going that route right now.

I’ve tried a lot of different forms of exercise—Pilates, walking, swimming, biking, running, floor workouts—and even when I was working out 3+ times a week, I didn’t see much change.

Right now, I typically eat 2–3 meals a day and stay between 1,500–1,700 calories (occasionally up to 2,000). I’ve really tried to approach weight loss in a healthy way, especially since I had a more restrictive relationship with food in middle school along with some food insecurity. Lately, though, those old thoughts have been getting louder again, even though I’ve done a lot of work to build body acceptance.

I’m currently seeing a therapist every other week, and I’ve worked extensively with a dietitian (30+ visits). I’ve also talked with my doctor about whether medications could be affecting things.

I’m feeling pretty stuck and honestly a bit hopeless right now. I want to show myself compassion, but I also recognize that what I’m doing isn’t getting results.

This was recently triggered by seeing a group photo of myself with other women at a concert—I found myself comparing a lot, and it really got to me.

I don’t feel comfortable dropping to 1,200 calories or less, but I also don’t know what will actually help me lose weight and keep it off. I’ve made significant changes to my diet and lifestyle over the past two years, but I haven’t seen the progress I was hoping for.

Any advice, insight, or encouragement would really mean a lot right now.