SW 661

Special Issues in Alcohol and Drug Counseling

This course includes highly specialized and advanced topics in addiction treatment to prepare students to begin practice in Alcohol and Drug Counselor training. Content will round out and complete a basic course of study for alcohol and drug counselors that was not adequately addressed in substance abuse and motivational interviewing classes. These advanced topics will 1) generally aid students in submitting the application for certification as alcohol and drug counselors, 2) provide students with required case management training for working in a licensed alcohol and other drug treatment facility, and 3) prepare students for working within multidisciplinary teams and gain familiarity with clinical supervision methods utilized in substance abuse treatment programs. 4) Students will become familiar with the use of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) a very common assessment tool widely used in substance abuse treatment settings. The complexity and demonstrated efficacy of specialized treatment for substance abuse disorders is well documented and preparation to work with this problem will be valuable across a range of populations; including, but not limited to individuals treated in traditional and non-traditional treatment settings. Evidence based knowledge is progressively improving the effectiveness of treatment. This course will utilize a convergence of knowledge to prepare students for their role in advancing the treatment of alcohol and other drug dependency

Units: 3.0