COUN 7520 Assessment & Treatment of Addictions
(Season, Year)
Professor:
Office:
Phone #:
E-mail:
Course readings:
This course will not use a standard text. In place of a text, students will create a notebook or desktop file
that contains readings that can be downloaded from National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other sites. Starred publications are
essential for the course. If a publication has been removed from a site, please contact the instructor so
he or she can supply an alternative reading. The instructor will supply additional readings as needed.
Readings to order/download:
*Motivation Enhancement Therapy Manual, NIDA
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy, TIP 39
Addictions Counseling Competencies, TIP 21
Course description: This graduate course presents substance abuse studies, individual and group
counseling and family systems approaches to prevention and intervention. The course provides an
overview of 1) models, 2) assessment instruments to identify addictive behavior, 3) methods and 4) skills
for treating addictions and 4) collaborating with other health professionals. The course presents clinical
models (developmental, solution-focused, biopsychosocial, motivational interviewing, stages of change,
self-help) from which interventions are drawn. Emphasis is on building community and preventing
relapse. Student activities will include readings, reaction papers, take-home exams, clinical interview
simulations, group experiences, and genogram. An evidence-based approach to interventions,
treatment, and the recovery process will allow students to develop skills and best practices in working
with clients in the community.
Course objectives are derived from CACREP standards so that at completion of this course students will
be able to demonstrate knowledge of the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Theories (including the disease concept) and etiology of addictions.
Substance use disorders and process addiction, and recovery processes.
Biopsychosocial approach to assessment and counseling.
Screening/assessment instruments for substance use disorders and process addictions.
Application of stage of dependence, change, recovery to determine appropriate treatment
modality and placement criteria within the continuum of care.
Appropriate counseling strategies when working with co-occurring disorders.
Appropriate use of culturally responsive systems modalities for counseling.
Commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications and side effects.
Importance of family, social networks and community systems in treatment.
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Student learning outcomes:
Assessment & Treatment of Addictions COUN 7520
CACREP Standards
Standard #
CMHC-I-1
Standard #
II-G-3-g
Standard #
CMHC-C-4
CMHC-C-8
CMHC-D-5
CMHC-D-8
CMHC-G-3
Clinical Mental
Health Counseling
Research &
Evaluation –
Knowledge
Core Curricular
Category
Human Growth &
Development
Clinical Mental
Health Counseling
Counseling,
Prevention &
Intervention –
Knowledge
Counseling,
Prevention &
Intervention –
Knowledge
Counseling,
Prevention &
Intervention –
Knowledge
Counseling,
Prevention &
Intervention –
Knowledge
Assessment Knowledge
CMHC-G-4
Assessment Knowledge
CMHC-H-4
Assessment – Skills
Standard
Understands how to critically evaluate research
relevant to the practice of clinical mental health
counseling
Standard
Knows theories and etiology of addictions and
addictive behaviors, including strategies for
prevention, intervention, and treatment
Standard
Learning Activities & Experiences
Lectures, discussions & course readings;
Analyzing quantitative research articles
assignments
Learning Activities & Experiences
Lectures, discussions & course readings;
Take Home Exams/Role Plays/
Assignments/Projects/Experiential
activities
Learning Activities & Experiences
Knows the disease concept and etiology of
addiction and co-occurring disorders.
Lectures, discussions & course readings;
Assignments/Take Home Exams
Recognizes the importance of family, social
networks, and community systems in the
treatment of mental and emotional disorders
Lectures, discussions & course readings;
Role Plays/ Assignments/ Experiential
activities
Demonstrates appropriate use of culturally
responsive individual, couple, family, group, and
systems modalities for initiating, maintaining, and
terminating counseling
Provides appropriate counseling strategies when
working with clients with addiction and cooccurring disorders
Lectures, discussions & course readings;
Assignments/Experiential activities
Understands basic classifications, indications, and
contraindications of commonly prescribed
psychopharmacological medications so that
appropriate referrals can be made for medication
evaluations and so that the side effects of such
medications can be identified
Identifies standard screening and assessment
instruments for substance use disorders and
process addictions
Applies the assessment of a client’s stage of
Lectures, discussions & course readings;
Assignments/ Experiential activities
Lectures, discussions & course readings;
Assignments/Role Plays/Experiential
activities
Lectures, discussions & course readings;
Assignments/Take Home Exams
/Experiential activities
Lectures, discussions & course readings;
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& Practices
dependence, change, or recovery to determine the
appropriate treatment modality and placement
criteria within the continuum of care
Assignments/ Take Home Exams
/Experiential activities
Course structure: This is an accelerated (i.e., 9-week) “hybrid” course meaning that part of the course is
spent in direct face-to-face contact with the instructor and your classmates while the other part is spent
completing Internet-based and related activities. When the class meets in person, it will consist of
lecture, discussion and small group activities. The class meets in person on the following dates:
•
•
•
•
•
date
date
date
date
date
The online portion of the course will be available by accessing the Assessment & Treatment of Addictions
website through D2L (i.e., https://elearn.mtsu.edu/).
The instructor will use MTSU e-mail addresses for communication purposes.
Necessary student internet skills and equipment:
A significant portion of course material and related activities will be presented on computer and
completed outside of the classroom. If you do not own a computer or cannot access course material
with your computer, use a computer on campus that has internet access (e.g. BAS S137, library). If at any
time you feel you are having trouble keeping up, contact the instructor so the problem can be addressed.
If you have problems accessing and/or using the D2L (i.e., Desire to Learn) Assessment & Treatment of
Addictions website, contact Instructional Technology Help Desk for assistance (615-898-5345 or
help@mtsu.edu).
Accommodations: If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation or have
questions related to accommodations for testing, etc., contact the instructor as soon as possible. You
may also contact MTSU Disabled Student Services office (615-898-2783) with questions about such
services.
Housekeeping rules. Students should save files of any written assignments that were submitted.
Professional counseling dispositions:
Students in the Professional Counseling program are required to demonstrate program dispositions (i.e.,
being collaborative, ethical, professional, reflective, self-directed, and critical-thinking students) in this
class and in all academic and professional endeavors. Information regarding students’ demonstration of
these dispositions may be communicated to program faculty and used as a component of the faculty’s
continuous evaluation of student progress. See Professional Counseling Program Handbook for details.
Grades will be dependent on completion of the following course components:
1. Class participation: Participation in this course occurs in class and via D2L. Attendance is expected
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at all class meetings.
2. D2L Assignments: D2L Assignments have possible points noted. All D2L Assignments must be
submitted with references in APA-style.
3. Exams: There are two exams worth a possible total of 100 pts. each.
A total of 500 points can be earned in this course. There is no opportunity to earn extra credit! A
standard grading scale will be used to calculate students’ scores in the course as follows:
475 – 500
450 – 474
425 – 449
400 – 424
375 – 399
350 – 374
325 – 349
300 – 324
275 – 299
250 – 274
225 – 249
224 and below
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Dates in red are class meetings; dates in green are D2L or Take Home Exam dates.
Date
Content Areas
date
Introduction, Overview and Group Experience
What is meant by the Addiction Process and how does Epigenetics relate to Substance Use Disorders?
What is meant by up-regulation and down-regulation?
Impact of Addictions
Credentialing Agencies, ASAM Guidelines, Addictions Counseling Competencies
date
D2L Assignments: Neurobiology/Neuropsychology/Behavior Change
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Theories and stages of addiction (2013). Feltenstein, M.W. & See, R.E. Systems Level Neuroplasticity in
Drug Addiction. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 3. Download from
http://perspectivesinmedicine.cship.org. Using the Feltenstein & See article, create a patient handout
that in both images and text explains the process of addiction to drugs of abuse. The handout should be 3
to 4 pages in length and be easily understood by a high school graduate. (45 pts.)
Olsen, C.M. (2011). Natural rewards, neuroplasticity, and non-drug addictions. Neuropharmacology,
61(7): 1109-1122. Download through NIH Public Access. Using the Olsen article, create a patient handout
that in both images and text explains the process of addiction to one of the behavioral addictions. (45
pts.)
>Go to www.aafp.org/afp/20000301/1409.html to download “A ‘Stages of Change’ Approach to Helping
Patients Change Behavior.” Assume that you are meeting with a client who was referred by the court for
a second DUI/DWI arrest. Create 4 questions you might use to determine which stage in the Stages of
Change the client is in at this initial meeting. Explain how these questions give you the information. (10
pts.)
date
Screening and Biopsychosocial Evaluation
Motivational Interviewing: Creating Effective Interview Questions
date
D2L Assignments: Screening Instruments
Google “Screening Adults with Substance Use Problems” and access copies of the instruments, AUDIT,
CAGE, MAST, TWEAK, ASSIST, CAGE-AID, GAIN. Find reliability and validity studies for the above
to determine which would be best to give to which populations for which reasons. (80 pts.)
Select a behavior (non-drug) addiction and find or create a screening instrument using the guidelines
given in class. (20 pts.)
date
Interventions/Treatment: Family Therapy; Group Therapy
>Tobacco. Download “Assessment of dependence and motivation to stop smoking” from bmj.com to
bring to class for small group work.
date
Take Home Exam (possible 100 pts.)
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date
Controversies and Issues: Discussion Topics
Legal Substances of Abuse: Alcohol, Tobacco, Prescription Drugs
Non-legal drugs: marijuana, ketamine, LSD
date
D2L Assignments: Working collaboratively with agencies in the community
>Alcohol: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63.htm & download pub #63: Alcohol’s damaging
effects on the brain. Develop a Fact Sheet for Teens (20 pts)
What alternatives can you offer clients for dealing with stress? Consider factors such as: diet, nutrition,
exercise, relaxation techniques, FUN, etc., to compose a client handout on: Dealing with stress without
drugs. (30 pts.)
How can you effectively work with clients who are receiving potentially dangerous medications such as
Antabuse? (20 pts.)
Psychosocial Variables & Addictions >Google: “Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents” –
Create an Educational Handout that presents what we know about protective factors and risk factors that
predict Substance Use/Abuse. (20 pts)
Make a listing of possible referral sites for clients in middle Tennessee who need: Detox, Inpatient
treatment, Intensive Outpatient treatment, 12-step meetings, counseling, family therapy. Include names
of programs and/or providers, locations, contact information and cost. (10 pts.)
date
Case Studies
date
Take Home Exam (possible 100 pts.)
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