Substance Abuse Assessment

Catalog description

This is an elective course which is available to M.S.W. students who have completed the foundation curriculum. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to the assessment and treatment of persons with substance-related disorders. Attention is directed to the pharmacology and etiology of substance abuse and dependence, assessment tools and processes, and treatment options. Other topics explored in the course will include family dynamics, adult children of alcoholics, co-occurring disorders, and populations at risk of substance-related disorders. This course will implement the strengths perspective in the assessment and treatment of addiction. Students will be expected to examine their own values, beliefs and behaviors in response to clients labeled as addicts. Students will have the opportunity to explore how their values and beliefs about addiction can facilitate or limit their ability to do effective social work practice with people involved in addictions. Students should leave this course with a better understanding of themselves and of those affected by addictions.