PS 6170 - Substance Use and Addiction in the Counseling Field

This course is designed to provide mental health counselor and human services students with an overview of substances abuse and dependency. This course examines the various etiological factors that contribute to Substance Use and dependence, including neurobiological, genetic, psychological, sociocultural, environmental, spiritual, and contextual factors. Emphasis will be placed on a bio psychosocial model, highlighting the inter‐relationship between such factors. Special emphasis will be placed on comorbid disorders, differential diagnostic issues, and the various methods used to evaluate substance use problems. Historical & contemporary treatment modalities will be reviewed, including detoxification, self‐help philosophies, assessment techniques, individual, group and family modalities, dynamics of motivation, and relapse prevention. An introduction to Motivational Interviewing will be included. Barriers to effective treatment will also be discussed. This course examines the various aspects of professional practice, including case management functions, record keeping, report writing, consent to treatment, confidentiality and disclosure. (3 credits)