Increased attention to preparing addictions counselors and related professionals to use evidence-based practices has brought new attention to the preparation programs for addictions counselors. Research and theory about adult learning emphasizes the importance of students as active participants in problem and experience based learning. This paper presents some key principles about teaching and learning for adults. With this set of principles as a guide, a discussion follows about teaching skills that support active and experience-based learning by adults including planning and decision-making, facilitating discussions and using small groups. Suggestions are offered for designing field-based learning experiences that provide meaningful, relevant, and powerful learning opportunities for adults. The paper concludes with ideas for handling some of the perplexing problems that come with teaching in an active and engaged way. (Contains 1 figure.)