THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
School of Social Work
Course Number:
SoWo 760
Course Title:
Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drugs (ATOD): Clinical Practice
Semester:
Fall 2011, Tuesdays 5:30pm - 8:30pm, TTK Room #102
L. Worth Bolton, MSW, LCAS, CCS
Assistant Clinical Professor
UNC-CH School of Social Work – CB#3550
Office Suite 4th Floor - #466
301 Pittsboro Street
Chapel Hill, N.C. 27599-3550
Work: 919-962-4371
Office Hours:
FAX: 919-962-6562
email: lwbolton@email.unc.edu
Office Hours by appointment, Mondays & Tuesdays through the semester.
Course Description:
Students develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes specific to clinical practice with adults having
substance-related disorders. This will include effective interventions in a variety of clinical settings
utilizing evidence-based methodologies.
Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Understand the process by which the social worker, client and appropriate significant others
determine the most effective course of action based on the client’s needs and characteristics,
as well as available community resources. (Screening)
2. Identify methods for assessing and responding to crisis needs of persons abusing or dependent
on substances, particularly being concerned with medical needs, likelihood of self-harm,
available resources and other agency-related conditions. (Crisis Intervention)
3. Know how to use an ongoing assessment process that accents client strengths and is sensitive
to such issues as those related to age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation,
rurality, and disability. (Assessment)
4. Identify effective ways to collaborate with clients to develop desired treatment outcomes and to
design short-term and long-term strategies for achieving these outcomes. (Treatment Planning)
5. Discuss service coordination activities, such as referral, liaison, and collateral contacts, which
are necessary to bring services, agencies, resources, and clients together in a planned effort to
help achieve the established goals. (Case Management)
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6. Articulate a knowledge of multiple approaches to counseling individuals, small groups, and
significant others that have demonstrated effectiveness with Substance-Related Disorders.
(Counseling)
7. Provide culturally relevant formal and informal educational programs to individuals, small
groups, and significant others that raise awareness, identify risk and resiliency factors, support
the recovery process, and explain the impact of addiction on the family system.
(Client Education)
8. Know the requirements for clinical charting of assessment, treatment planning, progress notes,
discharge planning, written reports, and other client-related data. (Reports and Recordkeeping)
Expanded Course Description:
As one of four courses offered in the Certificate in Substance Abuse Studies Program the primary
focus of this course are the methods of engaging clients with substance-related disorders in a
therapeutic relationship. It will build on knowledge gained in SoWo 540 and SoWo 700 is a
prerequisite for this course. Specifically, it will provide students with a knowledge base on the
clinical aspects of addiction explain and demonstrate assessment, treatment planning and client
placement skills that are effective with this practice population in a variety of clinical settings.
Utilizing current research findings on effective interventions and defining clinical pathways for
efficacious practice, the course works to develop student awareness of evidence-based practices in
addictions counseling. Additionally, students will be asked to examine attitudes that may help or
hinder effective clinical practice to include common ethical issues that arise with this client
population.
Required Texts:
Abbott, A. A. (2010) Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs: Challenging Myths, Assessing Theories,
Individualizing Interventions. 2nd ed. ISBN 978-0-87101-393-4 Washington, DC: NASW
Press. (This text will be available in the student bookstore.)
White W.L, Kurtz, E., & Sanders, M. (2006) Recovery Management. Chicago, IL. Published by the
Great Lakes Addiction Technology Transfer Center
(This text, is provided by the Behavioral Healthcare Resource Program from your Course
Instructor, to be returned at the end of the semester, or paid for if lost or damaged ($9.50).)
Recommended Readings:
Copies of recommended readings will be passed out in class at various times during the semester.
These are not required; however, “Extra Credit” questions on exams will be taken from
“recommended readings”.
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Teaching Methods: Class sessions will involve Lecture, Question & Answer, Large & Small
Group Discussion, Clinical Case Studies, and the use of Audio-Visual Aids (LCD projector, VCR,
dry erase board). This mix of teaching methodologies will insure cognitive, affective, and
experiential stimulation regarding clinical interactions with substance-abusing clients. Students are
expected to have completed required readings before coming to class and also expected to
actively participate in class discussions & activities. Clinical work with this population involves
issues from many points of view and the ability to listen to ideas and opinions that differ from your
own will enhance the development of a supportive learning environment. The rapidly changing
technologies related to clinical work with this population and the legal issues related to illicit drug
use will challenge the class to realistically examine “best practice” models that reflect the values of
the social work profession. It is appropriate to share materials from work settings and internships,
personal experiences, comments, concerns and observations are also welcome. Confidentiality is
expected of all class members when personal sharing occurs. If students have personal issues
surface in class and would like support to address their concerns, they are encouraged to ask the
instructor for referral information.
Assignments:
1) Written Assignment (*Optional)
09/06/11 - Topic Approved by Instructor
12/06/09 - Paper Due at Beginning of Class
Students should identify a concern or area of interest they have about clinical social work
services with substance-related problems. The focus of this paper can be related to practice
following a particular theory of addiction, addressing specific family issues, working with the
dually diagnosed or other diverse population clients, using a particular treatment modality or
counseling approach, structured by a specific policy issue, etc. The format of the paper should
be as follows:
Introduction (Explains why the student chose this topic, why it is of interest)
Key Points (Discusses research findings about this topic.)
Conclusion (Synthesizes research with student’s ideas about the topic.)
References
(APA Format throughout the assignment.)
This 8-10-page paper should be typed, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, minimum of three
references per page, and use current APA style. The paper will be graded on clarity of ideas
expressed, use of resources, and correct format/grammar. Papers will be turned in at the
beginning of class on the due date unless prior arrangements have been made in advance with
the instructor. As with exams, students are encouraged to discuss your paper with your
classmates and anyone else, for that matter. Students must remember to give citations in their
paper for ideas that are not their own, whether or not those ideas have been written down
somewhere. For example, if a student comes up with a brilliant example to illustrate a point and
you use it in your paper, and then you must cite him/her in a citation.
(NOTE: Please refer to the APA Style Guide, The SSW Manual, and the SSW Writing Guide for
information on attribution of quotes, plagiarism and appropriate use of assistance in preparing
assignments. All written assignments should contain a signed pledge from you stating that,
“I have not given or received unauthorized aid in preparing/completing this written work”.
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In keeping with the UNC Honor Code, if a reason exists to believe that academic dishonesty has
occurred, a referral will be made to the Office of the Student Attorney General for investigation
and further action as required.)
2) Examinations
There will be two (2) exams, a mid-semester and final exam. They will be in class, closed book
exams administered under the University Honor Code, and are designed to evaluate knowledge,
understanding and application of the material covered in class and in the required readings.
Study groups are permissible and, in fact, can be excellent for preparation.
Exam One - October 18, 2009 5:30 – 8:30pm
The first exam will consist of multiple choice, matching, short answer, & fill-in-the-blanks
questions and will cover all lectures and reading assignments through October 11, 2011.
Exam Two – December 06, 2011 5:30 – 8:50pm
The second will be inclusive of all assignments since the Mid-Term Exam and consists of
multiple choice questions, matching, sentence completion, true/false and a case study requiring
short answers and written activities pertinent to clinical practice discussed during previous
classes.
Policy on Incomplete and Late Assignments:
Any deviation from announced deadlines for written assignments or examinations must be cleared
in advance with the Instructor. Make-up exams must be taken within one week of the announced
date and will require documentation of illness or family crisis to be scheduled. Assignments
received late will have three (3) points deducted commensurate with the number of days late when
received but no assignment will be accepted if it is more than five (5) school days late.
Policy on Missed Classes (See attached “Substance Abuse Movies” listing
If a class session is missed the student will be given ample opportunity to make up the missed
hours. The School of Social Work has entered into an agreement with the NC Substance Abuse
Professional Practice Board regarding the Certificate of Substance Abuse Studies and the required
180 hours of required education, therefore each course represents 45 contact hours. Hours missed
are made up to stay consistent with the Board’s request that each course contain 45 contact hours.
(This is particularly important to those Students and Practitioners in the Certificate of
Substance Abuse Studies Program.)
Policy on Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities which affect their participation in the course may notify the instructor if
they wish to have special accommodations in instructional format, examination format, or other
issues considered and addressed.
Grading System:
Courses in the School of Social Work are graded as H or H- (High, indicating clear excellence),
P+, P, or P- (Pass, indicating entirely satisfactory work), L (Low Pass), and F (Fail, indicating
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performance is not acceptable at the graduate level). Only the letter grades H, P, L, and F appear on
official transcripts, but it is customary within the School to use pluses and minuses to provide
students with more specific feedback.
MSW Student’s final grade for this course will be determined as follows:
First Examination
45% of final grade (40%)
Final Examination
45% of final grade (40%)
Class Participation/Attendance
10% of final grade (10%)
(*NOTE: Students electing to write a paper will have a different % distribution explained)
Class participation will include attendance and active participation in all phases of class activities.
Making relevant comments with regards to the assigned/recommended readings and the ability to
apply covered material to class discussions is an important part of the learning process and will be
considered in assigning a percentage of grade from “Class Participation/Attendance”.
Written assignment, examinations, and final grade will be based on the following percentage scale:
H = 94 - 100
L = 70-79
P = 80 - 93
F = 69 and below
Evaluation of Student Performance:
The following factors are considered when determining the grade earned by each student in this
course:
- An “F” will be assigned for failing to complete any of the above-mentioned requirements
as set forth in this syllabus. Total score for all assignments completed that fall below a
grade of 70 also will result in a course grade of “F”.
- An “L” will be assigned when a student has excessive absences or tardiness from class
without justifiable reason and fails to participate in class discussions and activities. An
inability to produce written work that demonstrates graduate-level skills, (e.g. excessive
spelling, punctuation, grammatical, and citation errors) will also adversely affect a
student’s grade. Students are expected to use a 12-point font and the reference style of
the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th edition.
- A “P” will be awarded for completion of all requirements as set forth in this syllabus and
with none of the deficiencies noted above. A “P” as defined by the Graduate School
signifies entirely satisfactory work.
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- An “H” is awarded to students whose work reflects “clear excellence” as defined by the
Graduate School. “Clear excellence” means exceeding “P-level” requirements in two
ways: (a) analysis & evaluation of class practice, and
(b) extensive use of scholarly literature in written assignment.
(*NOTE: For a student to be eligible for a grade of “H”, all graded assignments must be
at the 94 & above grade level AND the “written assignment” must be completed when
due also achieving a grade of 94.
You do not have to complete the written assignment to pass this course, however if you
do not complete the “written assignment” you will not be considered for the “H” even
though your exam grades may meet or exceed the 94 average.)
Overview of Class Presentations and Required Readings
(NOTE: This overview gives projected listing of topics and readings for each class session.
Adjustments will be made and discussed at the conclusion of each class session determined by
pace and process of class discussions/activities and student learning needs.)
Date
Session #
Topics______________
___________________________Readings
08/23/11
1
Introductions/Expectations & Course Overview
Course Syllabus
Class Activity – “The Effective Addictions Therapist”
“Principles of Effective Addiction Treatment”
Class Handout
“Context of Practice”
Abbott, Chptr. 1
“Selecting Perspectives/Theories for ATOD Practice” Abbott, Chptr. 2
“Confrontation in Addiction Treatment”
White, W. & Miller, W. R.
08/30/11
2
09/06/11
3
09/13/11
4
ASAM (cont)
Class Handout
09/20/11
5
ASAM (cont)
Class Handout
09/27/11
6
“Clinical Guidelines for SA Psychosocial Treatments” Class Handout
“New Strategies for Interventions with Individuals” Abbott, Chptr. 9
Evidence-Based Practices in Addiction Treatment
Class Handout
“SAMSAS’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Practices”
10/04/11
7
“Group Strategies in ATOD Treatment”
“Recovery Management”
10/11/11
8
Student Graduate’s Panel
Review for Mid-term Exam
Intro to ASAM Criteria
“Assessment: Techniques & Instruments”
“Challenges of Co-Occurring Disorders”
(*Topics due to Instructor for written assignment)
Class Handout
Abbott, Chptr. 8
Abbott, Chptr. 6
Abbott, Chpter. 10
Text Given in Class
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10/18/11
9
Mid-Term Exam
Student Evaluations
10/25/11
10
Intro to Motivational Interviewing
“OARS” and “Change Talk”
Class Handouts
11/01/11
11
Intro to Motivational Interviewing
“Handling Resistance”
Class Handouts
11/08/11
12
Introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
“Functional Analysis” and “Social Skills Training”
Class Handouts
11/15/11
13
Introduction to Twelve Step Facilitation Therapy
“Therapist Role & Function”
Class Handouts
11/22/11
14
Transitioning from MI into other Therapies
Class Activity for integration of MI/CBT/TSF
Class Handouts
11/29/11
15
“Recovery Oriented Systems of Care” – “Recovery Management”
William White
12/06/11
16
FINAL EXAM
Student Evaluations
NOTE: The Class Instructor will endeavor to meet student learning needs and maintain the class
schedule to the maximum extent possible. This may, at times, limit certain class
activities/discussions in order to accomplish an adequate balance between lectures, discussion,
and activities.
lwb
08/07/11