Sociological and Psychological Aspects of Substance Abuse

Catalog description

This course will offer students a comprehensive view of alcohol and drug use and alcohol and addiction from a historical perspective. Utilizing cultural attitudes, legal sanctions, and normative values regarding alcohol and drug use, students will analyze what addiction is and who is an addict by various disciplines (i.e., medicine, sociology, psychology, etc.) and systems (i.e., family, criminal justice, social services, etc.). Students will examine ethnicity and its role in substance abuse and counseling. Students should be prepared to think critically and engage in a dialogue regarding the complex bio-psycho-social issues that impact individuals impacted by alcoholic abuse and/or drug addiction, as well as the substance abuse counselor. Pre-requisites: SWK 601, 602, 611, 612, 613, 621, 622, 701, 702 and 798 OR must be active in the Advanced Standing Social Work student group.