Course Resources Archive

This module provides an overview of substance misuse and is designed for those who either work within the substance misuse services or those who encounter substance misusers as part of their work with other service user groups. It is mapped to the National Occupational Standards.

This module will cover the following topics:

• overview of the kinds of addiction and the various definitions of physical and psychological
• addiction, dependence, compulsive behaviour and misuse;
• overview of the neurology of addiction and the reward pathways;
• overview of explanatory models – learning theory, cognitive models, anomie, self medication
• individual substances and their effects, complications and street names;
• the effects of polydrug use;
• the range of services available to substance misusers for different age ranges in the area.
• initial referral procedures;
• overview of the cycle of change model and its links to service provision and prevention;
• how to recognise and respond to overdose;
• overview of the legal and policy context of substance misuse

i. Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
a) Critically analyse key terms such as addiction, substance misuse, dependence, physical and psychological addiction;
b) Specify the range of substances that can be used, singly or in combination, and  evaluate their short and long term physiological and psychological effects;
c) Critically analyse the social settings and psychological factors that increase the risk of addiction and the factors that maintain it;
d) Evaluate ways of providing support to individuals who wish to cease misuse of a substance;
e) Evaluate services that support substance misusers;
f) Critically analyse the legal, local and national policy context of substance misuse;
g) Lead the work of others who are working with substance misusers.

ii. Skills
On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
a) Communicate sensitively and appropriately verbally, non-verbally, in writing and electronically in assignments and in the workplace;
b) Create, build and maintain relationships;
c) Reflect on practice;
d) Implement information skills in assignments;
e) Lead others.

Staff student contact circa 20% (to include: lead lectures, seminars, on-line activity, group work, discussion, tutoring, coaching).
Student independent study circa 60% (to include: assignment preparation and group work).
Work based learning circa 20% (to include practice in the workplace).

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.