C8143 Addictions Counselling

Unit Code

C8143

Unit Name

Addictions Counselling (postgraduate)

Unit Weighting

9  Credit Points

Type of Unit

Foundational

Prerequisites, corequisites or exclusions

Nil

Academic Staff

Mr Kirollos Saleeb (Master of Counselling, University of Notre Dame
BSSc (Criminology), University of Western Sydney)

Mrs Jessica George

Curriculum Objectives

This graduate course unit introduces students to the aetiology and symptomology of addiction. It acquaints students with the main therapeutic models utilized in the care and pastoral counselling of individuals suffering from addiction.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. investigate and analyse the ethical issues involved in counselling for alcohol, substances and other  addictive behaviours 
2. apply knowledge with initiative to the skills required for effective counselling of clients with problems of substance misuse or addiction and describe the ethical issues involved
3. display perceptive understanding of the biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors underlying and sustaining addictive behaviour related to different forms of addiction
4. demonstrate a grasp of the theoretical approaches to counselling abuse and addiction, (secular and Christian) and reflect critically on the theory and professional practice
5. exhibit a personal and professional stance an ability to design a range of addiction treatment methods to address  a spectrum of addiction issues

Content

1. Trends and history of addictions and their treatment
2. Pathophysiology of addiction and the brain
3. Stages of change in the process of addiction treatment 
4. Theories of addiction and treatment models; harm minimisation, reduction and prevention
5. Symptomatology of addiction; individual, spiritual and relational
6. Alcohol and substance addiction; types of substances (e.g., stimulants, opioids, nicotine, coc 
7. Behavioural addictions (e.g., sex, pornography, gaming, work, food, gambling, exercise)
8. Relapse prevention; individual, group work, systemically and culturally 
9. General and specific effects of various substance related disorders at personal, family and community levels
10. Assessment and referral; and preventive strategies