LADC stands for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. It is a Minnesota license for professionals whose work centers on alcohol and drug use. If you have seen the letters on a provider profile, a referral or a form and wondered what they mean, here is a plain explanation.
Who licenses LADCs in Minnesota
LADCs are licensed by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy under Minnesota Statutes chapter 148F. The license is specific to this state. Other states use different titles and requirements for similar work.
What it takes to become an LADC
State law sets out the path. In summary, an applicant needs:
at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited school
at least 18 semester credits, or 270 clock hours, of alcohol and drug counseling coursework, covering topics such as pharmacology, ethics, multicultural aspects of care and co-occurring disorders
an 880-hour supervised practicum
a passing score on a board-approved examination
a background check
That adds up to substantial, specialized training in substance use before a counselor ever practices independently.
What an LADC does
Minnesota law describes the work through twelve "core functions." In everyday terms, an LADC can:
Assess. Identify a person's strengths, needs and concerns to guide next steps.
Plan. Work with you to set goals and choose an approach.
Counsel. Meet with individuals, families or groups.
Educate. Share clear information about substance use and available services.
Coordinate and refer. Connect you with other services when your needs go beyond what one counselor or agency can provide.
The other functions cover screening, intake, orientation, crisis response, record keeping and consultation with other professionals.
LADC, therapist, psychiatrist: who does what
These roles often work together, and it helps to know the difference.
An LADC specializes in alcohol and drug counseling.
A mental health therapist, such as an LPCC, LICSW or LMFT in Minnesota, is licensed to provide psychotherapy for mental health concerns.
A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner can evaluate symptoms and prescribe medication.
Some professionals hold, or are working toward, more than one credential. If substance use and mental health concerns overlap for you, ask a provider what their license covers and who else would be involved in your care. Our guide to what the letters after a therapist's name mean covers the other credentials.
When seeing an LADC makes sense
Consider an LADC if alcohol or drug use is the main thing you want to talk about, if you want a counselor who works with these concerns every day, or if someone has recommended a substance use assessment. You do not need a diagnosis or a decision about your goals to make the first call.
Questions to ask
What experience do you have with concerns like mine?
Do you provide the assessment I need, or can you refer me?
How do you work with therapists or prescribers if I need them too?
Do you meet by telehealth, in person or both?
You can also look up any Minnesota license yourself through the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
LADC counseling at Radiant
Radiant Recovery and Counseling Services has a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Laura Carlisle, who meets with clients by telehealth across Minnesota. Therapy and psychiatric medication management are available through the same practice, and our post on how therapy works with psychiatric medication explains how the two fit together.
Call (612) 429-1662 or request an appointment online. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988. Radiant provides outpatient care and is not a crisis service.
Thinking about meeting an LADC by video? Here is what to expect from online LADC counseling in Minnesota.
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice.