The Illinois Association of Addiction Professionals is an affiliate member of the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. Our purpose is to lead, unify and empower addiction-focused professionals to achieve excellence through education, advocacy, knowledge, standards of practice, ethics, professional development and research.

The Illinois chapter has a long history of being at the forefront of change. Long-term board member Pamela Frazier, founder and owner of N’The Spirit Transformational Living Recovery Home for Women, led and pioneered efforts for the contributions of counselors working in the field of addictions to be recognized. On September 25, 2002, the National Addiction Counselors Day was founded. Now, each year on September 20 during National Recovery Month, around the globe states proclaim and celebrate the work and passion of those who make a difference and impact clients and their families.

Recognizing the work of leaders in the field, we honored clients and counselors of medication-assisted treatment programs at our first annual recovery luncheon in 2014. We know first-hand that it’s important to raise awareness, and we believe alternative treatment methods are a vital part of recovery and restoration process for some.

The Illinois chapter is committed to the professional development of addiction professionals through trainings that increase and prepare addiction professional as leaders in the field. We are a voice of advocacy that reminds legislators, community stakeholders and families that recovery works.