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HPC 5274 (101) Substance Abuse in Family Systems/Spring Semester 2016
Wednesday 9-11:50 a.m./College of Education Building/Room 428
Dr. Geri Miller/509G College of Education Building/262-6048 millerga@appstate.edu
Office hours: Mondays 1-2 p.m.; Tuesdays 9-11 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.; Wednesdays 3:30-5:30
p.m. (sign up sheet posted on office door)-emails will be answered during office hours
I. Course Description. An examination of the range of substance abuse issues impacting the
family system. Topics will include etiology of substance abuse and addiction within the family,
impact upon members of the system and its dynamics, intervention and treatment approaches,
and long-term recovery issues.
II. Goals/Objectives. This course will address the dynamics of substance abuse in the family
system in terms of theory, prevention, and treatment. Treatment will involve an examination of
assessment, treatment, and aftercare approaches with families. Finally multicultural issues as
they relate to families will be discussed.
III.Method of Teaching. A variety of approaches will be utilized including discussion, role play,
videotapes/DVDs, lectures, and experiential exercises.
IV. Course Requirements/Grading.
Participation:
Ethical Guidelines:
DSM-5 Assessment:
Genogram:
Therapist Interview:
20 points (This includes family member interview.)
20 points (online)
30 points (online)
30 points
10 points (name of therapist/date of interview)
40 points (interview write-up) (online)
Reaction paper
30 points (online)
Final:
20 points
Total:
200 points
[180-200=A range; 160-179=B range; 140-159=C range; 120-139=D range]
Participation: Students will be given points based on class attendance and participation in class
discussion. In order to receive full points, the student must be on time, attend all classes, and
actively participate in class discussions. Attendance and active participation in all classes is
expected (Points will also be deducted if students do not bring their textbooks to each
class.). More than one class absence may result in the lowering of the course grade. A marginal
grade may also be affected by inadequate class participation. A marginal grade may also be
affected by inadequate class participation. Participation means that: 1) only one person speaks
in class at a time, 2) all students will listen to that speaker and not participate in “sidebar”
conversations with other students, and 3) each student will shut off all electronic devices and not
engage in text messaging. Students need to read Dr. Miller’s teaching philosophy statement
on AsULearn and email Dr. Miller two paragraphs (one per question) responding to this
philosophy in answer to these two question: “What do I (student) anticipate as difficulties I
may have learning within this classroom teaching approach?” and “What can I (student)
do to decrease these difficulties?” This needs to be done by the beginning of the second
class.
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Family Member Interview: A class time has been deducted from the syllabus for an interview
with a family member who has been impacted by substance abuse. This cannot be a friend,
client, fellow student, or a member of your own family. The interview is meant to focus on the
person’s story of how they were impacted by the addiction of a loved one. It needs to be
2-4 pages double-spaced, typed, and have one inch margins and a 12 point font. No points will
be assigned to the paper (it is included in the participation grade), but the student will need to
rewrite it if there are writing errors.
Ethical Guidelines: Locate two sets of ethical guidelines of the following three professional
groups: substance abuse counselors (example: North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional
Certification Board), marriage and family counselors (example: American Association of
Marriage and Family Therapists), counselors in general (example: American Counseling
Association). Write a 3-5 page paper (typed, no errors, 1 inch margins, 12 point font) discussing
what was learned by reading these guidelines and remaining concerns or questions after reading
them. Points will be deducted for late papers and writing errors. Submit this assignment
online.
DSM-5 Assessment: Examine the DSM-5 and write a 2-4 page paper (no errors, 1 inch margins,
12 point font ) answering these three questions: 1) What diagnoses could be used in family
counseling?, 2) What diagnoses could be used in family counseling with substance abuse issues?,
and 3) What is your professional rationale for the use of these diagnoses? Points will be
deducted for late papers and writing errors. Submit this assignment online.
Genogram: Draw a genogram of your family in terms of substance abuse history and related
issues in therapy. Write a 3-5 page paper describing family patterns with regard to substance
abuse and related issues and how you believe these issues may enhance and inhibit your work
with families struggling with substance abuse. This paper needs to be typed, double-spaced and
have one inch margins and a 12 point font. Points will be deducted for late papers and writing
errors.
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Reaction Paper: This 4-6 page paper (typed, double-spaced, 1 inch margins, 12 point font) is in
reaction to: 1) the four pamphlets, 2) the book published by Hazelden, and 3) Chapter 9, The
Family Afterward, in the book Alcoholics Anonymous. The paper is a personal reaction to the
readings. Points will be deducted for errors, lateness, and not following length requirements.
Submit this assignment online.
Family Therapist Interview: A class time has been deducted from the syllabus for an interview a
family therapist who works with addicted individuals. This therapist must meet these
requirements: cannot be a graduate of the HPC department in any track or a current or past
professor in the HPC department, has worked as a therapist for at least 5 years, and is willing to
be interviewed for at least one hour in person. The basic question format to be used is as follows
(give the therapist a copy of these questions prior to the interview):
1. Demographic Information: length of time in the field, professional focus/training,
percentage of clients receiving marital/family work, and those focusing on substance abuse
issues.
2. What is your theory of treatment with the substance abuse population?
3. What is your assessment process?
4. What are common techniques you use?
5. What are ethical issues/dilemmas you confront in your practice?
6. How do you maintain records in family work?(e.g. notes on all or just primary client)
7. Do you treat individuals, couples, or families differently around substance abuse
issues and if so, how are they different?
8. How do you view the culture of the client having an impact on substance abuse
issues?
10 points are given for providing the professor with the name and appointment dates at the time
indicated on the class schedule. The other 50 points will be for the 5-10 page paper summarizing
the therapist’s answers to the questions. This paper needs to be typed, double-spaced, and have
one inch margins and a 12 point font. Points will be deducted for late papers and writing errors.
Submit this assignment online.
Final: The final is a 20 item, multiple choice/matching test based on the readings and lectures.
V.Textbooks. (Required)
Students are expected to buy/rent textbooks and bring them to each class.
Conyers, B. (2003). Addict in the family. Center City, MN: Hazelden. (Co)
(ISBN#978-1-56838-999-8)
Hazelden pamphlets: Detaching with love (Carolyn W.)
A guide for the family of the alcoholic (Kellermann)
Do’s & don’ts for family members (Williams)
Free to care (Williams & Swift)
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Miller, G. (2015). Learning the language of addiction counseling (4th ed). Hoboken, NJ:
Wiley (M) (ISBN#978-1-118-72177-3)
Patterson, J., Williams, L., Edwards, T.M., Chamow, L., & Grauf-Grounds, C. (2009).
Essential skills in family therapy (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford (P) (ISBN#978-1-60623-305-4)
Textbooks.
(Recommended)
Edwards, J. T. (2011). Working with Families: Guidelines & Techniques. Hoboken, NJ:
Wiley. (ISBN#978-0-470-89047-9)
Walsh, F. (2006). Strengthening family resilience (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford.
(ISBN#978-1-59385-186-3)
Winek, J. L. (2009). Systemic family therapy. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
(ISBN#978-1-41293-696-5)
Zimmerman, J., & Winek, J.L. (2012). Group activities for families in recovery.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage (Z) (ISBN#978-1-45221-7939)
VI. Course Policies:
Link to course policies:
http://academicaffairs.appstate.edu/resources/syllabi
Weather Policy
Classes will only be canceled if ASU closes. Class may be postponed in the event of bad weather.
If the instructor postpones the class, students will be notified through a phone tree system as well
as an e-mail through ASU Learn. The instructor will call the first person on the list who will
contact the second person on the list and so on until each person is contacted. If a student cannot
reach the person they are to contact, they need to leave a message on the instructor’s answering
machine stating the name of the student that could not be reached and then contact the next person
on the list. A phone tree list will be drawn up the first day of class and copies of the phone tree
list will be given out the first day of class. If any student is uncomfortable giving out his/her phone
number to the class, it is that student’s responsibility to let the instructor know he/she does not
want his/her name on the list. Any classes postponed will need to be made up.
Please note that Dr. Miller is a disaster mental health worker for the American Red Cross.
This means that if she is called up for a disaster during the semester, students will be
contacted in the same methods used for weather related changes and arrangements will be
made regarding class schedule changes.
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Date
1/13
Topic
Introduction
Licensure
CLASS SCHEDULE
Reading/Assignment Due
Chapter 14 (M)
Read Dr. Miller’s Teaching Philosophy on AsULearn and
write 2 paragraphs
1/20
Overview
Theory
1/27
Theory
2/3
Prevention
Ethical Guidelines Paper due
DSM-5 Assessment Paper due
2/10
Assessment
Chapter 4 (P)
Genogram due
Name of therapist & interview date due
Name of family member & interview date due
2/17
Treatment-Couples
Chapter 8 (P)
2/24
Treatment-Family
Chapter 5 (M)
Chapters 5-7 (P)
3/2
Treatment/TechniquesChapters 9-11 (P)
Reaction paper due (4 Hazelden pamphlets, Co book, &
The Family Afterward chapter of Alcoholics
Anonymous)
SPRING BREAK
3/9
Chapter 13 (M)
Chapter 1 & 2 (M)
Chapters 1-3 (P)
3/16
Treatment/TechniquesChapter 9 (M)
Interview papers due (Family and Therapist)
3/23
Aftercare
3/30
NO CLASS
4/6
Related Issues
Chapter 8 (M)
Chapters 6 & 10 (M)
Final
4/13 & 4/20 RESERVE CLASS MEETING TIME