ArgosyUniversity
COURSE SYLLABUS
PSY482
Substance Abuse Treatment I
Faculty Information
Faculty Name: David Kohler
Campus:
Contact Information:
Office Hours:
Short Faculty Bio:
Course description:This course covers all aspects of treatment with attention to readiness to change. Students are introduced to the core functions of individual and group chemical dependency counseling, including screening, orientation, intake, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, relapse prevention, client education, referral, reports and record-keeping, and consultation.
Course Pre-requisites: PSY370
Required Textbook:
Stevens, P. & Smith, R.L. (2009). (4th edition). Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and Practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. ISBN: 0-13-240903-8
Kulewicz, S. F. (2004). (5th edition). Twelve Core Functions of a Counselor. Marlborough, CT: Counselor Publications. ISBN: 0-9624963-1-6
Recommended Textbook:
Inaba, D. D., & Cohen, W. E. (5th edition). Uppers, Downers, and All Arounders. CNS Publications. ISBN: 0926544276
Course length: 7.5 Weeks
Contact Hours: 45 Hours
Credit Value: 3.0
Program Outcomes:
- Cognitive Abilities
- Critical Thinking - Given a psychological issue, employ skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to respond to the issue.
- Information Literacy - Given a research question related to psychology, access information from a variety of sources and select appropriate sources to respond to the question.
- Research
- Understanding Research Methods – Given an article about research findings in the field of psychology from a scholarly journal, identify the research methods used and the findings of the article.
- Identifying Research Methods – Identify the appropriate statistical tools and basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
- Communication Skills
- Oral - Effectively present psychological concepts orally as appropriate to the audience.
- Written - Effectively present psychological information, in writing, using software and style appropriate to the audience.
- Ethics/Diversity
- Ethics - Identify the issues and challenges related to ethics in the field of psychology.
- Diversity - Identify the issues and challenges related to diversity in the field of psychology.
- Knowledge of the Field
- Foundations – Recognize the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, applications, and historical trends in psychology.
- Knowledge of Applied Psychology
- Apply psychological principles to personal, social, and/or organizational issues.
- Substance Abuse Concentration
- Given a substance abuse case, describe the psychological principles applicable to the resolution of substance abuse and related issues.
8. Interpersonal Effectiveness
Students will develop and improve positive relationship skills via effective communication, respect for others, appreciation of diversity and cultural sensitivity, and awareness of their impact on others.
8.1 Apply active listening communication skills in interpersonal and organizational scenarios to establish empathetic, collegial relationships that facilitate
consensus building in working toward common goals and are appreciative of diversity and culture.
8.2 Analyze the importance of effective nonverbal communication skills in developing strong interpersonal and organizational relationships that are culturally sensitive and respectful of diversity.
8. 3 Solicit and utilize feedback to develop adaptable strategies of facilitating dynamic interpersonal and organizational relationships.
8. 4 Analyze the impact of technological advances on communication within interpersonal and organizational relationships.
8. 5 Utilize effective communication and relationship skills in order to promote the growth of others and effect change.
Course Objectives:
- Critically analyze the history and current status of substance abuse in the U.S.(Program Outcome(s): 4.1, & 5)
- Identify the legal and scientific milestones regarding alcohol and drug abuse.
- Trace the development of public policies on drug use and abuse.
- Evaluate the issues and approaches concerning the enforcement of drug abuse policies and legislation.
- Describe the professional and ethical issues that the “helping professions” face in relationship to the politico-legal history of the criminalization of substance abuse.
- Identify and synthesize the major biological, psychological, and sociocultural theories of the etiology of substance abuse. (Program Outcome(s): 5)
- Evaluate the major genetic and biological theories of substance abuse.
- Evaluate the major psychodynamic, behavioral, and developmental theories of substance abuse.
- Evaluate six critical and useful societal and cultural theories of substance abuse.
- Enumerate, categorize, and describe the mind-altering substances most frequently used and abused in the U.S.
- Analyze critically the disease model of addiction and the substance abuse counselor’s roles and responsibilities in treatment of addiction.(Program Outcome(s): 1.1, 4.1, 5, & 6)
- Trace and explain the emergence of the disease model of addiction and the criticisms of its use.
- Enumerate and interpret the stages of treatment in substance abuse counseling.
- Justify the parameters of professional training and status of the substance abuse counselor.
- Explain and illustrate a substance abuse counselor’s treatment, professional, and ethical responsibilities.
- Demonstrate proficiency in understanding evidence-based methods of substance abuse assessment and diagnosis.(Program Outcome(s): 1.1, 5, & 6)
- Demonstrate knowledge of the use of interview protocols and techniques in the assessment and diagnosis of substance abuse disorders.
- Describe and evaluate six instruments usually employed in substance abuse assessment.
- Explain and illustrate the role of denial, including cognitive distortions, “thinking errors,” and cultural elements in substance abuse assessment.
- Analyze and illustrate the major contemporary modalities of treatment of substance abuse and the evaluation criteria for differential treatment.(Program Outcome(s): 5, 6, & 7)
- Illustrate the use of the concept of continuum of care and stages of change in substance abuse treatment.
- Elucidate the process of treatment planning in substance abuse counseling.
- Explain and evaluate the nature and process of individual, group, and family counseling for substance abusers.
- Illustrate and critically analyze the concept of “codependence.”
- Demonstrate the application of the four major types of substance abuse treatment programs: detoxification, inpatient, residential, and outpatient.(Program Outcome(s): 5, & 6)
- Illustrate the differential treatment issues to be considered when referring to each of the four types of treatment programs.
- Analyze the integration of psychopharmacological medication with the four types of treatment programs.
- Illustrate the utility of case management services in substance abuse counseling.
- Integrate present issues of diversity, including psychological, medical illness, and injury, with substance abuse counseling programs and services.
- Review the history and usefulness of 12-step programs, Harm Reduction interventions, and Motivational Interviewing as effective interventions in substance abuse treatment.(Program Outcome(s): 5, & 7)
- Illustrate the characteristics of substance abusers that are addressed by 12-step programs.
- Analyze “readiness” and “hitting bottom” as variables in substance abuse counseling.
- Synthesize theoretical views of motivation in behavior science with Motivational Interviewing.
- Evaluate the phenomenon of dual diagnosis and its role and impact on substance abuse treatment and counseling.(Program Outcome(s): 5, 6, &7)
- Characterize theoretically the diagnostic issues and problems regarding dual diagnosis in substance abuse treatment.
- Illustrate the differences in substance abuse treatment approaches to the people with mental illnesses, personality disorders, and developmental disabilities.
- Critique sequential, parallel, and integrated substance abuse treatment.
- Identify the treatment, counseling, and collaborative issues involved in treating involuntary substance abusing clients.(Program Outcome(s): 5, 7)
- Explain the role of “authority” in involuntary substance abuse treatment.
- Analyze the implementation of substance abuse treatment in institutions.
- Explain and justify the role of interagency teamwork in involuntary substance abuse treatment.
- Validate the roles of aftercare and relapse prevention services in the treatment of substance abusers.(Program Outcome(s): 5, & 7)
- Explain how relapse to substance use and abuse is not a failure.
- Illustrate the essential process and components of aftercare planning and relapse prevention.
- Explain “standard of care” and justify its use for competent record-keeping, report writing, and consultation.(Program Outcome(s): 4.1, 5, & 6)
- Integrate the ethical and professional facets of standard of care in substance abuse treatment.
- Identify and illustrate the necessity of third-party collaboration and communication in substance abuse treatment.
Assignment Table
Topics / Readings / Assignments1 /
- History and Nature of Addiction
- Law, Policy, and Enforcement
- Abused Licit and Illicit Substances
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Inaba & Cohen
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7 / Discussion Questions:
- In 1949, Ludwig von Mises, a leading modern free-market economist and social philosopher stated:
Discuss what you consider the pros and cons of Mises’s thesis. In the context of the thesis, discuss the potential role of government in legislating and enforcing drug laws. In addition, discuss the inherent problems in such legislations and enforcements.
- A group of ten Nobel laureates prepares a report on drugs use in the U.S. and submits it to the Drug Czar. You are the Drug Czar’s assistant for policy review. The paper concludes with the following statement:
We propose, therefore, a national commitment to develop drugs that neutralize for life the effects of opiates, cannabinoids, hallucinogens, stimulants, inhalants, depressants, sedatives, and other illicit drugs. Such drugs should be administered to any person arrested for criminal acts or abrogation of legal injunctions committed under the influence of such substances. In concert with this commitment, we also propose a national effort to develop a ‘perfect drug.’ This drug will produce euphoria and analgesia but have no harmful effects on the mind or body of individuals. The effects of this ‘perfect drug’ will be instantaneously ceased by the administration of a universal antidote.”
- As a recommendation to your supervisor, the Drug Czar, would you agree with the Nobel laureates’ suggestions? Justify your answer. Support your answer by providing at least two examples.
- Discuss the appropriateness of government intervention in not only the development of the “perfect drug” and universal drug replacements but also the administration of their antidotes.
- Over the past century, particularly since the enactment of the Harrison Act in 1914, the governmental bureaucracy designated to “control and enforce” drug laws and regulations has expanded rapidly and now involves numerous agencies in various departments on all levels of government. The budgets, personnel, and political influence involved in drug enforcement are immense. These agencies have become “big business” in government employing large numbers of staff and spending huge amounts of money.
- Explain why drug enforcement seem to be ineffective in reducing the “drug problem” in the U.S.
- Provide two examples each of unsuccessful and successful legislative or law enforcement efforts in reducing the incidence of substance abuse in the U.S., explaining why they have been ineffectiveness and effective, respectively. Examine the policy or philosophical differences in approaches to the enforcement efforts between successful and unsuccessful legislative.
- Legalization or Non legalization of Drugs
You are the legislative assistant for your state senator. The senator asks you to describe at least five benefits and five adverse impacts of the commonly abused illicit drugs in the U.S.:
- Opioids
- Cannabinoids
- Depressants
- Stimulants
- Hallucinogens
- Inhalants
Prepare a two-page memorandum to the senator. Give your recommendations for continuation of the illegal status, total legalization of each drug category, or circumstantial legalization of each drug category. Justify your recommendations.
A few Web sites that you can visit to for guidelines on how to write a memorandum are:
memo-writing.shtml
usebetter_articles.htm
- Final Project
The clinic intake coordinator refers Peter to you for 10 days for an initial intake, assessment, and evaluation. The drug diversion program representative sends you the summary of Peter’s case as given above.
You decide to review his long history of substance abuse. In particular, you want to inventory the drugs that Peter abused and to document the potential medical effects of the drugs on Peter. Before you meet Peter for his intake interview, you want to present your findings at a case conference of your clinical colleagues for their views about Peter’s case.
Prepare a two-page handout in a Word document that will guide you in your presentation at a case conference. Your handout should contain details of the potential medical effects of the drugs that Peter abused, on him.
2 /
- Biological Theories of Substance Abuse
- Psychological Theories of Substance Abuse
- Sociocultural Theories of Substance Abuse
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Inaba & Cohen
Chapter 2 / Discussion Questions:
- Your friends and you discuss how students like to “get high” on booze. One of your friends says, “People get into trouble with alcohol and drugs because they lack the will power to stop using drugs. If they had more guts, they would easily quit drugs!” Do you agree with this statement? Support your answer by providing at least two examples.
- Should alcohol be consumed in recreational, fun, and healthy ways, and never to the point of personal or social harm? Why or why not? Discuss the sociocultural norms and values that create parameters on acceptable behavior by providing at least one historical and cultural example of each, the use of alcoholic beverages for rituals, celebrations, and religious ceremonies.
- You are a counselor presenting an in-service training for your counseling center’s staff. Your colleague Dr. Meyer is psychoanalytically oriented and a “true Freudian” in his approach to substance abuse treatment. He argues that unconscious drives and conflicts, oral fixation, unresolved dependency needs, and passivity are the bases of substance abuse and dependence disorders. He is adamant in his recommendation that only long-term, nondirective psychoanalytically oriented counseling and psychotherapy be used as the core model of treatment at the counseling center.
Assignments:
- Mini-Integrated Theory
While waiting your turn in a supermarket check-out line one day, you meet your instructor and express excitement about the lectures. The instructor acknowledges your delight in the course material and assigns you a project. The instructor says: “Why don’t you take a component each from the biological, psychological, and sociocultural theories of substance abuse, and see if you can piece them together to form a “mini-integrated theory” of substance abuse?”
In other words, your instructor asks you to choose a theoretical concept from each of the three categories of theories and try to integrate the three to explain and describe various aspects of substance abuse.
- Choose a component each from a biological, psychological, and sociocultural theory about substance abuse presented in this week’s lectures. Create your own mini-integrated theory about the etiology of substance abuse.
- Submit your theory in a two page handout to your instructor. In your handout, state at least three advantages of an integrated theory over a single theory.
- Final Project
You will meet Peter for his intake appointment tomorrow. You want to incorporate useful components of some etiological theories of substance abuse to use in treatment.
- Present a two- to three-page report to the director of the clinic, detailing the effectiveness of the etiological theories of substance abuse.
- Your report should describe the eight most important problems or issues presented in Peter’s case. Rank the issues in order of urgency, danger, and acuteness regarding his well-being. In addition, explain how each problem or issue may be described and explained by an accepted theory of substance abuse in the following three categories of etiological theories:
- Biological Theories
- Psychological Theories
- Sociocultural Theories
- Justify your choice of etiological theory.
- Refer to the following Web site for guidelines on how to draft a report: