ASC5004 · Screening, assessment and brief interventions for addictive behaviours

Overview

This unit introduces you to validated tools for alcohol and other drug (AOD) screening, assessment and treatment. As a student you will develop practice-relevant knowledge and skills to synthesise findings from screening and assessment into case summaries and biopsychosocial formulations. Additionally, an overview of evidence-based treatment approaches, including brief intervention and motivational interviewing, and the sociocultural, economic and political influences on treatment systems and delivery is provided. By completing this unit you should be able to recognise and apply validated tools to inform screening and assessment, synthesise addiction case histories and be familiar with a range of addiction treatment and support options. This unit will prepare you for further study in the treatment of addiction.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Identify different treatment modalities within the AOD and broader treatment system.
2. Apply the biopsychosocial framework to AOD screening, assessment and treatment.
3. Select standardised tools for AOD screening and assessment appropriate to the presentation.
4. Integrate information from screening and assessment into an individualised case summary and formulation.
5. Recognise evidence-based psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for managing addictions.
6. Develop clinical practice, management and risk assessment skills.
7. Discuss the role of person-centred, collaborative and recovery-oriented care in managing people affected by addiction.
8. Critically evaluate your own professional skills and knowledge and set goals for further development/to enhance your practice

Workload

You will be expected to contact the course co-ordinator regularly throughout the semester and participate in online discussion with fellow students and academic staff. You should expect to spend around 24 hours a week of self-directed learning. This includes accessing online lectures, podcasts and resources as well as participating in forum discussions questions and quizzes via Moodle in addition to conducting offline independent study such as reading, research and writing activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.