Sneak Peek
Self Paced 20-hour course to help you understand addiction... then learn to help people deal with their addictions
Addictions can affect anyone: any demographic group, irrespective of class, religion, whether wealthy, poor, old or young.
Addictions come in 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?
You progress each lesson, reading course notes; and undertaking a series of research or practical tasks relevant to you. These are short learning tasks, related to the topic you are reading. They require you to stop reading and do something a little different, and in doing so you develop another perspective on the subject, which helps to reinforce and strengthen your learning.
On conclusion of a lesson; you are presented with a short interactive test to do. This helps you gauge your progress and through revision, further strengthens the learning.
On finishing the last lesson, you are presented with a more comprehensive automated examination. This final assessment can
be undertaken at any time. On passing this last exam; you will be sent a
"certificate of completion" for this course with your name on it.
You can start and stop studying at any time - taking as much (or little) time as suits you, to complete your course.
Extensive Support along the Way Whenever Needed
You have access to expert tutors through our student help desk at any time you need them. Our school keeps help desks in both Australia and the UK; and has staff on duty five days a week manning phones, online chat and emails. Any questions that you have about what you are studying will be dealt with promptly (usually the same working day, often immediately).
COURSE CONTENT-What do you learn?
There are nine lessons in this course, as outlined below.
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 Review
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 Review
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 Review
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 Review
Lesson 6 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE
-
Caffeine
- Cannabis
- Hallucinogens
- Inhalants
- Heroin
- Sedatives
- Anti Anxiety Drugs
- Stimulants
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamines
- Club Drugs eg. Xcstacy, LSD, Rohypnol, PCP, GBH
- Tobacco
- Lesson Review
Lesson 7 COUNSELLING THE INDIVIDUAL WITH SUBSTANCE RELATED PROBLEMS
- Introduction to Treatments
- MET (Motivational Enhancement Theory)
- Medication
- Behavioural Therapy
- Residential Treatments
- Other Treatments
- Cocaine Addiction
- Lesson Review
Lesson 8 COUNSELLING FOR ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOURS
- Problem Gambling Clinics
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Gamcare (UK)
- Shopping Addiction/Omniomania
Review what you have been learning
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
In successful completion of the final assessment you are sent your certificate.
SAMPLE PAGES FROM THE COURSE
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
We have designed this course primarily for anyone who works with or has a need to better understand and help people with an addiction.
This may include:
- Counselors
- Life Coaches, Sports Coaches, Fitness Professionals
- Psychologists
- Health Professionals - Nurses, Doctors, Complimentary Therapists
- Teachers, Youth Workers or others who encounter people with an addiction
- Welfare workers, Social workers, Employment professionals
- Employers, Supervisors, or anyone dealing with addiction problems in the workplace
- Parents or Friends of someone with an addiction
Addiction can impact not only on the person with the addiction; but also the people they interact with at home, work or socially.
Being only 20 hours, this course can be the fastest way of better understanding an addict and how to interact with them constructively.
How does this course work?
You can enrol at any time.
Once you have paid for the course, you will be able to start straight away.
Study when and where you like. Work through at your own pace.
You can download your study-guide to your smart phone, tablet or laptop to read offline.
There are automated self-assessment tests you can complete at the end of each lesson. You can attempt these as many times as you wish and each time, upon completion, you can see your results. You will need internet access to complete the self assessment tests.
At the end of the course, you are presented with a large assessment which can be attempted online, anywhere, anytime. If you achieve a 60% pass in the exam; you immediately receive a downloadable certificate of completion with your name on it. If you do not achieve a 60% pass rate, you can contact us to re-sit your exam. ( email- admin@acs.edu.au )
Contact us at anytime if you have any issues with the course. admin@acs.edu.au