UTC receives funds for new clinical addiction studies program

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga received an award of more than $100,000 to conduct a clinical addiction studies certificate program. 

UTC says this program will prepare students for the Tennessee Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor Licensing Exam.

They add that it will add to the number of professionals who can provide substance abuse treatment around Chattanooga.

“Typically, the people trained in substance use work are working in treatment centers, and it may be months before somebody could get in to see someone. This grant will increase the amount of people trained to work with addiction, which in turn increases the amount of access to that treatment,” said Jami Hargrove, UTC assistant director for health education and wellness.

The Hamilton County Innovative Response to Opioids Grants provided the $114,344 to UTC.

The program will begin this fall.

“A lot of experience comes by being in the work field,” said Dr. Tyler Oberheim, assistant professor and clinical coordinator at UTC. “Hopefully with students taking the courses that are addiction specific, they are going to have the comprehensive knowledge to go into the workforce and be effective.”  

Students who enter the program will take six courses before taking the Tennessee Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor Exam. 

“It’s kind of that workforce development piece, in hopes that they will go out into the community, work centers or work in private practice,” said Hargrove. “It also will support our recovery program provide us with interns who can work with students who are struggling with substance above themselves.”