Addiction Studies Certificate of Achievement

Program Overview

The Addiction Studies Certificate of Achievement program prepares students to work with individuals and families affected by alcohol and other drug dependence. The program covers addiction models, treatment modalities, and ethical considerations. Graduates are qualified for careers in addiction counseling, case management, and prevention education in various settings, including treatment clinics, mental health facilities, and community organizations.

Program Outline

Addiction Studies Certificate of Achievement

Degree Overview:

The Addiction Studies Certificate program prepares students to work with the alcohol and other drug-dependent population, their families, and employers. It addresses the community's need for trained alcohol and other drug prevention specialists to work in both public and private agencies in the Bay Area.

Objectives:

• Explain a variety of models and theories of addiction, the social, political, economic, and cultural context, risk and resiliency factors, and the behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social effects of psychoactive substances.
• Describe the philosophies, practices, policies, and scientifically supported models of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care for addiction and the interdisciplinary approach to addiction treatment.
• Demonstrate the use of specific diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and describe treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care and apply treatment services appropriate to the personal and cultural identity and language of the client.
• Demonstrate their professional readiness to apply their understanding of diverse cultures into clinical practice, the importance of self-awareness in one's personal, professional, and cultural life, adherence to addiction professional's ethical and behavioral standards of conduct, importance of ongoing supervision, and understand procedures for handling crisis or dangerous situations.

Outline:

The program consists of four core components:

Foundation Core Courses (15 units):

• SOSC 301: Introduction to Addiction Studies (3 units)
• SOSC 302: Pharmacology and Physiological Effects of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (3 units)
• SOSC 304: Intervention, Treatment and Recovery (3 units)
• SOSC 319: Co-Occurring Disorders I: Recognition and Referral (3 units)
• SOSC 333: Laws and Ethics in Addiction Studies (3 units)

Skill Building Core Courses (15 units):

• SOSC 307: Family Systems in Addiction (3 units)
• SOSC 308: Group AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) Counseling Process (3 units)
• SOSC 310: Special Population Groups in Addiction Studies (3 units)
• SOSC 314: Individual AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) Counseling Process (3 units)
• SOSC 317: Case Management (3 units)

Field Study Core Courses (6 units):

• SOSC 315: Field Studies and Seminar I (3 units)
• SOSC 316: Field Studies and Seminar II (3 units)

Selective Courses (3 units):

Students must choose 3 units from the following:

• PSYC 100: General Psychology (3 units)
• PSYC 410: Abnormal Psychology (3 units)

Additional Recommended Courses (not required for certificate):

• SOSC 321: Adolescent/Youth Substance Use Prevention, Interventions, and Treatment (3 units)
• SOSC 325: Co-Occurring Disorders II: Management and Treatment (3 units)

Assessment:

Information about assessment methods and criteria used in the program is not provided in the context.

Teaching:

Information about the teaching methods, faculty, and any unique approaches is not provided in the context.

Careers:

Career opportunities in this field include:

• Primary Addiction Counselor/Supervisor
• Case Manager
• Program Director
• Prevention Educator
• Mental Health Dual Diagnosis Counselor
• Crisis Intervention Specialist
• Incarceration Counselor
• Assessment/Placement Specialist
Other opportunities include working with:
• Adolescents
• Seniors
• Multicultural populations
• Individuals affected by HIV/AIDS
Graduates may be employed by:
• In-patient and out-patient treatment clinics
• Transitional housing centers
• Mental health clinics
• Job training/placement programs
• Shelters for various homeless populations
• Detoxification units
• Crisis intervention centers
• Incarceration facilities
• Education/prevention programs in schools and the community

Other:

• The program conforms to the Proposed Guidelines for Addiction Studies Programs within Higher Education prepared for the California State Department of Education and meets the accreditation standards set forth by the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE).
• Students are encouraged to meet with a CSM counselor to discuss how to achieve academic goals and develop a comprehensive student educational plan (SEP).