Substance use disorders affect individuals across every age group, culture, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and health status. Although the core principles of addiction counseling remain consistent, effective treatment requires clinicians to recognize the developmental, cultural, biological, psychological, and social factors that influence substance use, treatment engagement, recovery, and long-term outcomes. Helping professionals must be prepared to provide individualized care rather than rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. This course examines special population considerations in addiction counseling, with emphasis on adolescents, older adults, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and clients living with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases. Participants will explore developmental and psychosocial influences, barriers to treatment, culturally responsive and gender-responsive counseling practices, minority stress, stigma, age-related treatment adaptations, and integrated recovery support. The course also addresses cultural humility, ethical decision-making, recovery-oriented care, individualized treatment planning, assessment considerations, co-occurring mental health concerns, family and social influences, evidence-based interventions, and recovery support services. Clinical case studies demonstrate practical applications and support the integration of course concepts into professional practice. This training is intended for addiction counselors, substance use professionals, social workers, mental health counselors, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, case managers, peer recovery professionals, students, and other behavioral health providers. Approximate completion time: 300 minutes. Instructional time includes educational materials, case studies, reflective activities, the post-test, and course evaluation. Participants must complete all course requirements and achieve a passing post-test score to receive continuing educa