Alcoholism/Chemical Dependency Treatment Service Program Certificate

Course Descriptions

ACDTSP001 Use and Abuse of Alcohol and Other Drugs in Society
Video Introduction | Closed Captioned
CEU’s for On-campus: 3
CEU’s for Online: 4
Prerequisite: None.
Description: This course surveys the broader problems caused by the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs in modern society. Alcohol and drug abuse impact all aspects of society. This course examines the impact of alcohol and drug abuse on the health care system, the family system, and the legal system. How has drug use and society’s response to it changed over time? The history and role of adjuncts to treatment such as self-help and psychopharmacology will be discussed. This course provides perspective regarding language and culture as they relate to addiction treatment, and explores the relationship between substance use and diverse cultures, values, and lifestyles.
ACDTSP002 The Delivery of Alcoholism/Chemical Dependency Treatment Services
Video Introduction | Closed Captioned
CEU’s for On-campus: 3
CEU’s for Online: 4
Prerequisite: None.
Description: This course provides an overview of the alcohol and drug abuse treatment system. The focus of this course is on the twelve core functions or competencies of the addiction counselor and how these competencies are utilized in different levels of care. What new skills must the counselor and treatment agency develop to treat the next generation of drug addiction? How do agencies respond to co-existing addictions and disorders (e.g., nicotine dependence, eating disorders, severe mental illness). Participants will gain perspective regarding the relationship between substance abuse and disability through exposure to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other legislation related to human, civil, and client rights. Ethical dilemmas related to delivery of treatment are discussed. Participants will visit agencies representing the six levels of care: shelter, detoxification unit, halfway house, inpatient center, outpatient center, and community outreach program.
ACDTSP003 Counseling the Alcoholic and Other Chemically Dependent Persons
CEU’s for On-campus: 3
CEU’s for Online: 4
Prerequisite: None.
Description: This course is foundational for the addiction counselor. It provides a comparative examination of the major accepted approaches to alcohol and drug abuse counseling. The course bridges the gap between research and practice incorporating Best Practices into its curriculum. Case studies and role plays are used to help students develop primary counseling skills. In addition, this course provides foundation and experience specific to treating special populations (adolescents, GLBT, ethnic diversity).
ACDTSP004 Pre-practicum: Professional Readiness
CEU’s for On-campus: 4
Description: A pre-practicum is a pre-internship experience. The purpose of a pre-practicum is to expose students to the operation and activities within a treatment setting, and an opportunity to observe the provision of services to clients prior to taking on full responsibility in the internship. Obtaining a practicum placement site is a collaborative process between the student and the instructor.
In order to enter the internship phase of training, it is equally important to understand the meaning of professional boundaries and conduct, as well as common ethical dilemmas encountered in the workforce and practical ways of resolving them. In addition, an understanding of the self and an ability to identify reactions to and from clients is crucial to all counseling relationships. How does a counselor prevent burnout? Self-care tools will be discussed. Strategies to deal with the additional challenges introduced by the presence of a co-existing disorders or disabilities will be presented. This 40 hour pre-practicum will highlight these and other essential elements of the addictions counselor role and will also provide practical information regarding paperwork and agency requirements. Participants will demonstrate knowledge of client record management, confidentiality, federal, state, and agency regulations.
ACDTSP005 Physiology and Psychopharmacology of Addiction
Video Introduction | Closed Captioned
CEU’s for On-campus: 3
CEU’s for Online: 4
Prerequisite: None.
Description: This course introduces the participant to the basic principles of pharmacology, anatomy, and physiology. These principles are applied to an examination of the major classes of psychoactive drugs, including those commonly subject to abuse. What are the short-term and long-term medical complications of substance abuse? What drugs are being developed and used as adjuncts to addictions counseling? What are the costs and benefits of prescription drugs such as anti-depressants, chronic pain medication, methadone, and suboxone to short and long-term abstinence? This course discusses the pros and cons of adjunctive psychotherapies, including the addictive properties of some classes of prescribed medications.
ACDTSP006 Family Alcoholism and Chemical Dependancy Treament
Video Introduction | Closed Captioned
CEU’s for On-campus: 3
CEU’s for Online: 4
Prerequisite: None.
Description: This course will provide an overview of the role of alcoholism /chemical dependancy in the family system and the various intervention and treatment approaches used in assisting families troubled by alcoholism or chemical dependancy.
ACDTSP007 Practicum
CEU’s for On-campus: 30
CEU’s for Online: 30
Description: A participant enrolled in the 300 hour practicum will be supervised in a licensed alcoholism/chemical dependency treatment facility by a licensed supervisor. The program coordinator will assist each participant in making arrangements for an appropriate practicum. Participants currently employed in a setting meeting the practicum criteria may choose to complete their practicum hours in that setting. Participants not so employed will find placements in detoxification centers, recovery homes, outpatient clinics, court clinics, hospital-based programs, transitional programs, and other such facilities.
ACDTSP014 HIV / Aids And Substance Abuse
CEU’s for Online and On-campus: .5
Description: This introductory-level course will provide an overview of some of the major aspects of HIV, including the history, biology, treatment and prevention of the disease and will include a specific examination of HIV in substance abusers. The course is designed to provide participants with a basic level of proficiency and confidence necessary to communicate with and educate their clients about HIV risks, management and prevention.
ACDTSP018 Criminal Justice and Substance Abuse Treatment
CEU’s for Online and On-campus: 4
Description: This course examines the different functions of the courts, alternatives to incarceration models, and the components of the law enforcement system - Jail, House of Corrections, and the State Prison System. Parole, Probation, and their function in Massachusetts will be addressed. This course will explore how the counselor can partner with the criminal justice system to increase the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs.
ACDTSP021 Dual Disorders: Severe Mental Illness & Substance Abuse Treatment
CEU’s for Online: TBA
Description: The purpose of this course is to teach counselors effective strategies for the concurrent treatment of severe mental illness & substance abuse.
ACDTSP028 Dual Disorders: Severe Mental Illness & Substance Abuse Treatment
CEU’s for On-campus: .5
Description: TBA
ACDTSP043 Practice Of Addictions Counseling
CEU»s for Online and On-campus: 4
Corequisite: ACDTSP 007.
Description: The Practice of Addictions Counseling is a course designed to facilitate the adoption of new knowledge into every day practice. This course facilitates the application of this knowledge into "best practices" in addictions prevention and treatment. In addition to the 30 on-site clinical supervision hours provided by qualified supervisors at the practicum setting, upon successful complete of this course, students receive an additional 40 educational hours from a University practicum supervisor.
ACDTSP044 Co-occurring Disorders:Treating Substance & Mental Illness
CEU’s for Online and On-campus: 4
Description: This course teaches participants how to effectively integrate the treatment of substance abuse and mental illness.
ACDTSP045 Pre-Sentence Investigation Specialist
CEU’s for Online and On-campus: 4
Description: This is a Forensic Course providing instruction in the preparing and writing of pre-sentencing investigation reports, assessments, and evaluations, that provide valid and reliable information to assist in determining criminal justice sanctions.