The Georgia Association for Addiction Professionals

The Georgia Association for Addiction Professionals GACA is a not-profit association dedicated to high standards for professionals who provide counseling for individuals suffering with substance use disorders.

Est 1980, (GACA) The Georgia Association of Addiction Professionals is the only membership not-profit professional certification board over 4500 addiction credentials in the state of Ga. & is voluntarily managed by leading top addiction professionals. Established in 1980, GACA is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors elected by the membership and a volunteer Certification Committee. Our express concern is the welfare of persons suffering with substance use disorders in the state of Georgia. We want your input, your voice, and your suggestions. Your presence at our meetings and conferences helps us grow stronger together. Your service on our board and committees helps us fulfill our mission. We need your support and feedback in legislative matters. We need your voice to battle to reduce stigma, increase access to care, and support treatment and recovery. Thank you to each of our members on the Board of Directors and Certification Committee members for all the hard work accomplished each year to make GACA Georgia’s premier Addiction Counselor certifying body and membership organization. We could not accomplish this without the dedicated support of the GACA office staff. Finally I thank YOU – our members and associates. We could not do the work we do on behalf of our clients and families without your membership and continued support.

GACA Executive Director Donna Ritter spoke to the epic crowd of 237 at the 2nd Annual North Georgia Rural Recovery Rally...
03/01/2026

GACA Executive Director Donna Ritter spoke to the epic crowd of 237 at the 2nd Annual North Georgia Rural Recovery Rally in Commerce - a powerful message that Georgia Recovers In Communities

Rural Grorgia is fed up with overdose and fentanyl poisoning deaths, fed up with stigma and discrimination, and fed up with barriers to care

Rural Georgia is united in support of increased funding for peer led addiction recovery programs, united in support of laws which support those seeking the hope and joy of recovery, and united in support for more peer led recovery programs in rural communities

We need every elected official to make funding and legislation which addresses the Addiction Epidemic their Number One domestic policy issue

The Number One cause of death in Georgia for people age 18 - 45 is overdose / fentanyl poisoning - this is not acceptable

Georgia Recovers In Communities across rural Georgia

Team GACA under the Gold Dome advocating for important addiction recovery legislation Thank you to Lt. Governor Burt Jon...
02/26/2026

Team GACA under the Gold Dome advocating for important addiction recovery legislation

Thank you to Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Leader Jason Anavitarte, Chairman Ben Watson, Senator Blake Tillery, and Senator
Randy Robertson

Thank you to every leader of the Georgia Recovery Community who showed up from communities acoss Georgia to advocate for positive policy in support of Georgia families impacted by the Addiction Epidemic

SB 277 and SB 526 are, extremely, important to providing important medical care and legal protection to hard working Georgia families

02/26/2026

I don't believe in miracles, I count on them !

This Saturday 28 February Join the Georgia Association for Addiction Professionals at the 2nd Annual North Georgia Rura...
02/24/2026

This Saturday 28 February

Join the Georgia Association for Addiction Professionals at the 2nd Annual North Georgia Rural Recovery Rally

28 February 2026
10 AM - 12 PM

Commerce Civic Center
110 State Street
Commerce

Georgia needs SB 277 to revise the definition of drugs, in the Georgia Code, to include alcohol and its derivatives - al...
02/24/2026

Georgia needs SB 277 to revise the definition of drugs, in the Georgia Code, to include alcohol and its derivatives - allowing professionals to legally help Georgia families impacted by alcohol use disorder


Lt. Governor Burt Jones Jason R. Anavitarte Blake Tillery

02/23/2026

GACA President Star Bridges from Jackson County supports SB 277 by Senator Blake Tillery.

SB 277 would revise the definition of drugs, in the Georgia Code, to include alcohol and its derivatives.

Currently, under the Georgia Annotated Code, professionals at treatment centers, counselors, and IOP/PHP programs are prohibited from treating Alcohol Use Disorder as a primary disease.

SB 277 will make this important technical change allowing professionals to save lives, restore families and strengthen communities across Georgia by allowing for the treatment of Alcohol use disorder as a stand-alone diagnosis.

SB 277 is in Senate Health & Human Services chaired by Senator Ben Watson

Thank you to Senator Blake Tillery for leading on this important policy issue for families across Georgia.

347 in attendance at the 5th Annual South Georgia Rural Recovery Rally in Dublin as GACA Executive Director Donna Ritter...
02/21/2026

347 in attendance at the 5th Annual South Georgia Rural Recovery Rally in Dublin as GACA Executive Director Donna Ritter delivered remarks on SB 277.

SB 277 would revise the definition of drugs, in the Georgia Code, to include alcohol and its derivatives.

Currently, under the Georgia Annotated Code, professionals at treatment centers, counselors, and IOP/PHP programs are prohibited from treating Alcohol Use Disorder as a primary disease.

SB 277 will make this important technical change allowing professionals to save lives, restore families and strengthen communities across Georgia by allowing for the treatment of Alcohol use disorder as a stand-alone diagnosis.

SB 277 is in Senate Health & Human Services chaired by Senator Ben Watson.

Thank you to Senator Blake Tillery for leading on this important policy issue for families across Georgia.

02/19/2026

GACA leader Patricia Brown from DeKalb County supports SB 277 by Senator Blake Tillery

SB 277 would revise the definition of drugs, in the Georgia Code, to include alcohol and its derivatives.

Currently, under the Georgia Annotated Code, professionals at treatment centers, counselors, and IOP/PHP programs are prohibited from treating Alcohol Use Disorder as a primary disease.

SB 277 will make this important technical change allowing professionals to save lives, restore families and strengthen communities across Georgia by allowing for the treatment of Alcohol use disorder as a stand-alone diagnosis.

SB 277 is in Senate Health & Human Services chaired by Senator Ben Watson

Thank you to Senator Blake Tillery for leading on this important policy issue for families across Georgia.

GACA Greetings! GACA invites you to Register for "Va**ng: Significant Concerns Linked to Adolescent Use" Register He...
02/19/2026

GACA Greetings! GACA invites you to Register for "Va**ng: Significant Concerns Linked to Adolescent Use"

Register Here: https://gacaorg.regfox.com/vaping-february-2026













Founded in 1980, GACA, the Georgia Association for Addiction Professionals (www.GACA.org), is a not-for-profit member association that provides credentialing, training, education, advocacy and support for addiction-focused professionals in Georgia and surrounding states.

Join the Georgia Recovery Community this Saturday for our 5th Annual Rural Recovery Rally!We are honored to welcome Jenn...
02/18/2026

Join the Georgia Recovery Community this Saturday for our 5th Annual Rural Recovery Rally!

We are honored to welcome Jennifer Ward Dunn, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for
the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), as one of our VIP speakers.

🗓️Date: 21 February

📍Location: DuBose Porter Center

🏙 City: Dublin, GA

🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Join us for:

*Special legislative announcements
*Powerful peer testimonies
*Free food
*Live entertainment
*Resources

Bring your friends and family as we celebrate recovery, community, and hope. We can’t wait to see you there!

Georgia Recovers In Communities


GACA Executive Director Donna Ritter visited with Representative Leesa Hagan during Mental Health Day at the state Capit...
02/18/2026

GACA Executive Director Donna Ritter visited with Representative Leesa Hagan during Mental Health Day at the state Capitol

GACA stand with peers, families, and professionals impacted by mental health issues in communities across Georgia

SB 277 would revise the definition of drugs, in the Georgia Code, to include alcohol and its derivatives.Currently, unde...
02/18/2026

SB 277 would revise the definition of drugs, in the Georgia Code, to
include alcohol and its derivatives.

Currently, under the Georgia Annotated Code, professionals at treatment centers, counselors, and IOP/PHP programs are prohibited from treating Alcohol Use Disorder as a primary disease.

SB 277 will make this important technical change allowing professionals to save lives, restore families and strengthen communities across Georgia by allowing for the treatment of Alcohol use disorder as a stand-alone diagnosis.

SB 277 is in Senate Health & Human Services chaired by Senator Ben Watson

Thank you to Senator Blake Tillery for leading on this important policy issue for families across Georgia.

Address

4015 S Cobb Drive SE, Ste 160
Smyrna, GA
30080

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Georgia Association for Addiction Professionals posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to The Georgia Association for Addiction Professionals:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Our Story

GACA is a non-profit association dedicated to high standards for professionals who provide counseling for individuals suffering from substance use disorders. Established in 1980, GACA is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors elected by the membership and a volunteer Certification Committee. Our express concern is the welfare of persons suffering from substance use disorders in the state of Georgia. We want your input, your voice, and your suggestions. Your presence at our meetings and conferences helps us grow stronger together. Your service on our board and committees helps us fulfill our mission. We need your support and feedback in legislative matters. We need your voice to battle to reduce stigma, increase access to care, and support treatment and recovery. Thank you to each of our members on the Board of Directors and Certification Committee members for all the hard work accomplished each year to make GACA Georgia’s premier Addiction Counselor certifying body and membership organization. We could not accomplish this without the dedicated support of the GACA office staff. Finally, thank YOU – our members and associates. We could not do the work we do on behalf of our clients and families without your membership and continued support.