Additions and Recovery Course
AAR-400 Addictions and Recovery
Course in a nutshell:
Discussion topics: Understanding the theory behind stages of change relating to the treatment of various types of addiction. Skills: You’ll learn to identify risk of substance abuse and addictive behaviors, family intervention, provide support for the client who is entering residential treatment, and relapse prevention.
COURSE OBJECTIVE: Applied Skill Development
On-line delivery of Addictions and Recovery(AAR-400) provides students with a comprehensive understanding of what addiction is, assessment techniques, counselling strategies and ways to implement community based programs.
COURSE CONTENT
This course will cover theories and practice techniques applicable to the field of addictions, including alcohol, tobacco, and other chemical substances. Emphasis will be placed on motivational interviewing, exploring the causes, stages of readiness for treatment, other treatment approaches and systemic intervention strategies. The phases of recovery will deal with developmental issues, family history and biological and genetic factors .
Research studies in the fields of substance abuse and dependence have produced volumes of information and theories from psychological, biological and sociological perspectives.
The information explored in this course is supported by current researchers.
Understanding current theories is essential in order to conduct appropriate assessment procedures and treatment planning. In addition, cultural aspects and social and personality development is of vital concern to professional counsellors working in the addictions field.
PORTFOLIO OF JOB SKILLS
What you will learn:
Your level of proficiency and competence with the skills introduced in this course will deepen as you proceed through the program. Upon graduation from the Diploma or Certificate program, you may include the following skills as part of your Professional Portfolio:
1) The ability to conduct a variety of assessment procedures and basic assessment tools used in the field of addictions.
2) The ability to use various interview techniques, reflective listening, collaborative problem solving, motivational counseling, and other appropriate counseling techniques when working with clients in the following stages of addictions treatment:
- the assessment phase
- pre contemplation stage
- contemplation stage
- preparation stage
- action or recovery stage
- maintenance or after care stage
- helping clients avoid relapse.
3) The ability to assess and recognize categories of disorders found in the DSM-V which relate to substance abuse or indicate the possibility of ‘co-morbidity’ or a dual diagnosis.
4) The ability to apply a variety of counselling approaches to assess for and address the client’s interpersonal needs relating to addictions such as couple and family dynamics and conflicts; development of support networks; life skills and employment issues.
5) The ability to apply a variety of counseling approaches to assess for and address a range of intrapersonal issues related to addictions such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, anger, and guilt.
6) The ability to set collaborative goals and design outcome measures.
7) The ability to assess for level of risk of suicide; relapse; and other crises and to respond with appropriate intervention.
8) The ability to recognize the importance of community influence, traditional values and cultural sensitivity relating to special populations and culturally diverse groups.
9) The ability to make appropriate referrals to community resources and other service providers to address clients’ needs which fall outside the scope of practice of an entry-level counsellor.
10) The ability to practice within ethical guidelines and limits of confidentiality; and to maintain appropriate boundaries in the therapeutic relationship.
11) The ability to consult with supervisors and colleagues to manage counter- transference issues and signs of burnout.
(NOTE: The skill set you will learn in this course comprises areas of core competence required for the practice of professional counselling).