Sneak Peek
Addictions are an affliction which can affect anyone, even the most well-intentioned and upstanding members of the community. Addictions come in many different guises. Some are easily recognised such as drug and alcohol dependence. Others may be less conspicuous like obsessive shopping or computer gaming. But all addictions ultimately take a toll on the person with the problem and those around them.
Addictions counselling is a specialised area of counselling which seeks to help those with a range of addictions to regain control of their lives. This short course provides students with insight into the behavioural and physiological nature of addictions, as well as tolerance and withdrawal from substances. It will appeal to those working in the caring professions and those with an interest in this field whether personal or professional. Different counselling strategies and techniques are discussed and upon completion it is anticipated that students will have a well-rounded understanding of how to help people with addictions.
How do our short courses work?
As you progress through each lesson; you will be provided with a range of ways you can expand your learning. By choosing what tasks you do and don't undertake; you can expand in areas that interest you most, and skip areas of less interest.
You won't miss anything important that you need to know about stress management though; so long as you read the notes that are presented alongside these "learn more" suggestions.
At the end of each lesson, you will be given a short interactive test to undertake, which will provide an indication of how your learning is progressing. Upon completing the very last lesson, you will be offered a more thorough automated test or examination. This final assessment can be undertaken at any time of day or night; and any day of the week; and if you achieve an overall pass; you will be able to obtain a "certificate of completion".
Lesson 1 DRUG AND ADDICTION COUNSELLING
Neurotransmitters and Neurons
The Reward System
Tolerance
Withdrawal
Dependence
Substance Abuse
Review what you have been learning
Lesson 2 TYPES of ADDICTION
Biological Influences
Psychological Influences
Alcohol
Tobacco
Caffeine
Behavioural Addictions
Lesson 3 ADDICTIONS & COMORBIDITY
Social Anxiety
Negative Reinforcement
Personality Issues
Wernicke-Korsakoff’s Syndrome
Cognitive Deficits
Alcoholic Hallucinosis
Suicide Risk
Cannabis Use
Other Substances
Lesson 4 ALCOHOL USE AND DEPENDENCE
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
Alcohol Withdrawal
Driving
How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your Bloodstream?
Machinery/Accidents at Work
Hospitalisations
Relationships
Crimes
Physical Health
Mortality
Lesson 5 COUNSELLING THE INDIVIDUAL WITH ALCOHOL RELATED PROBLEMS
Assessing the Drinker
Drinking History
Motivational Interviewing
Drinking Diary
Hazardous Drinking
Higher Risk or Harmful Drinking
Dependent Drinking
Topirimate
Baclofen
Naltrexone
Disulfiram (more commonly known as Antabuse)
Campral
Ondansetron (Zofran)
Chantix
Gabapentin
Extended Brief Intervention
Family Therapy
Group Work
Multicultural Differences
Lesson 6 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE
Caffeine
Cannabis
Hallucinogens
Inhalants
Heroin
Sedatives
Anti Anxiety Drugs
Stimulants
Cocaine
Metaphetamines
Club Drugs
Tobacco
Lesson 7 COUNSELLING THE INDIVIDUAL WITH SUBSTANCE RELATED PROBLEMS
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Medication
Behavioural Therapy
Residential Treatments
Other Treatments
Cocaine Addiction
Lesson 8 COUNSELLING FOR ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOURS
National Problem Gambling Clinics (UK)
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamcare (UK)
Shopping Addiction/Omniomania
Lesson 9 THE HEALTHCARE TEAM SUPPORT NETWORKS AND SPECIFIC GROUPS
Doctor
Drugs Keyworker
Government, Charity and Private Treatments
Outreach services
ECT – Electro Convulsive Therapy
Family Support
Review what you have been learning
FINAL ASSESSMENT