SOWK-390 Understanding Addictions

Please note that this syllabus is intended as an example only. It may not exactly match each session of the class offered.

Instructor: Jeff Bryant MSW, LCSW

Download Syllabus

Course Description

This course explores a variety of dependency syndromes. The primary focus will be the abuse of mind-altering chemicals, with emphasis upon the progression of use, signs and symptoms, treatment options, prevention, and intervention aspects. Teaching modalities will include lectures, films, discussions, guest speakers, and experiential activities. Based upon the model of chemical dependency presented, other dependencies will then be examined, primarily through student research and class presentations.

Objectives

1. Students will comprehend the concepts of addiction, powerlessness, and compulsion. Primary focus will be upon chemical dependency. Students will specifically:
   1. Learn the progression of Addiction, how it affects the individual and everyone around them.
   2. Learn the different models, understand how addictions affect all of us either directly or indirectly and discover the depth of this problem.
   3. Be better able to identify chemical dependency in clients/suspects.
   4. Understand the nature of treatment, what is relapse and recovery, the continuum of care, and resources available for the abuser.
   5. Develop beginning skills in working with this population.
   6. Learn the varying roles of the courts, law enforcement, and other social institutions in addressing chemical dependency.
2. Students will be able to identify and better understand other addictions.
3. Students will learn to identify various effects of addiction upon family dynamics and upon family members as individuals.

Resources:

1. Substance Abuse: Information for School Counselors, Social Workers, Therapists, and Counselors. Gary L. Fisher & Thomas C. Harrison Second Edition.
2. Substance Abuse: Affecting Children and Families. Handouts put together by Jeff Bryant, MSW, LCSW
3. Drug laws and law enforcement. From: Drugs: An Introduction. Abadinksky, H. (2001).
4. Pharmacological determinants of drug use in American society, Part 2: Factors affecting how drugs work in the body. From: Drug Use in American Society. Bailey, W. (1988).
5. Rational recovery: Alternative to AA for addiction? Galanter, M., Egelko, S., and Edwards, H. (1993). American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 19(4).

Class Requirements

Students will be evaluated by performance on the following measures:

1. Mid-term Exam 25%
   Will be a combination of multiple choice, true false, fill in the blank, definitions and short answer. Students will be provided with a study guide, which we will go over in class, prior to the exam.
2. Addictions Project 20%
   Each student will begin an individual project at the beginning of the semester (see attached handout). After monitoring and documenting for several weeks, a second handout will be provided which outlines the nature of the brief written assignment based upon this project.
3. Research Paper/Presentation 25%/15%
   A research paper on an addiction of the student’s choice, other than drug and alcohol addiction, will be due near the end of the semester. In addition, each student will do a presentation from their paper to the class near the end of the semester. Handouts will be given later in the semester going over specifics on the paper and presentation. The professor will approve all topics.
4. Class Performance 15%
   The class performance grade is based upon the following criteria: participation and risk-taking in activities and discussions, completion of additional tasks as assigned, and attendance.
   
   Each student will attend at least one open AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings during the semester and write about your experience (1 to 2 pages typed double-spaced). No pre-grade on this paper.

Extra Credit

May be earned, if the student chooses, by bringing in current newspaper articles, information off the Internet or magazines related to the topics of this class. You will bring in a copy of the article, give a brief summary of the article and the professor may generate comments from other students. Put your name and date on the article and turn into the professor. There is a maximum of 5 articles for the semester. This could make the difference in a letter grade.

Portfolio Requirement

The portfolio requirement for this course is one copy of the Policy Paper.

Classroom Policies

1. Much of the learning in this course is gained experientially. Attendance is important for academic success, but is also mandatory and will be taken each week. If you miss class please either e-mail or call to let me know you won’t be in class. If you miss class please get a copy of one of your classmates notes.
2. Papers and assignments are due on assigned date. Late work will not be accepted without penalties, and no make-up exams will be given, except for extreme emergency that needs to be approved by the professor.
3. Pre-grading of papers, with opportunities to revise in order to improve the grade, is available to all students. However, students may only take advantage of this prior to the pre-grade deadline. All pre-graded papers must be submitted with the final revision. Students are encouraged to utilize the University's Writing Lab for assistance with grammar, composition, and organization. Also, any needed help with the introduction, body and summation of any papers, as you are expected to be proficient in these areas.
4. All University policies for Academic Misconduct will be strictly upheld, including pre-grading. Any student who plagiarizes will receive an F in this course.
5. The professor is committed to being available to students when needed. Students may use e-mail or voice mail to reach the professor. Office hours are posted on my door in Good Hall room 216. Students should feel free to stop by or call outside of formal office hours. Keep in mind that an appointment is helpful in guaranteeing that you will not have to wait.
6. Pagers and cell phones must be turned off or in silent mode during class, and must be turned off during exams unless otherwise approved by the professor.

Class Schedule

Week 1
Introduction to Course
Go over Syllabus
Terms for Addiction
Handout: Addictions Project I

What is Addiction? What does it look like – stereotypes.
Discuss Addictions Project I handout.

Week 2
Is it a Disease? Other models of addiction.
Look at Definitions of Chemical Dependency.
Read: Affecting Child & Family: Pages 1 to 4.
Fisher & Harrison: Ch. 1, 3, 14 (pages 294 to 300)
Due: Addictions Project Outline: Goal, objectives and measurement.

Need for Generalist Training.

Week 3
Progression of Use
Signs and Symptoms of Chemical Dependency
Powerlessness
Co dependency
Read: Affecting Child and Family: Pages 5 to 10.
Fisher & Harrison: Ch. 5, 11

Handout: Research Paper/Presentation Criteria and Format

Week 4
How families are affected by Addiction.
The “power” of Denial.
Read: Affecting Child & Family: Pages 11, 12, 13.
Fisher & Harrison: Ch. 9, 10

Enabling
Pass out: Article: “Pharmacological Determinants of Drug Use in American Society, Factors Affecting how Drugs Work in the Body”

Week 5
Chemicals of Abuse: Stimulants, Depressants, Hallucinogens, Inhalants and Narcotics.
Read: Fisher & Harrison: Ch. 2
Article: “Pharmacological Determinants of Drug Use in American Society, Factors Affecting how Drugs Work in the Body”

Study Guide for Mid-term: Go over in class.

Week 6
Intervention and Treatment Strategies and Options.
Read: Affecting Child & Family: Pages 14, 15.
Fisher & Harrison: Ch. 6, 7

Handout: Addictions Project II
Mid-Term Exam

Week 7
Assessment: What questions to ask and how to ask them.
Prevention – Does it work?
Read: Fisher & Harrison Ch. 15.

Pass Out: Article: “Drug Law and Law Enforcement”

Week 8
“War on Drugs”
Legal Aspects
Read: Article: “Drug Law and Law Enforcement”

Due: Pre-grade for Addictions Project II

Week 9
Elder Abuse: what we know and don’t know.

Speaker: To be arranged.

Week 10
Social Attitudes: Media does it help or hurt?
Cultural and Ethnic Groups in Substance Abuse
Read: Fisher & Harrison Ch. 4
Due: Addictions Project II

Pass out article: “Rational Recovery: Alternative to AA for Addiction”

Week 11
Self-Help/Support Groups
Read: Affecting Child & Family: Pages 19, 20.
Fisher & Harrison Ch. 8
Article: “Rational Recovery: Alternative to AA for Addiction”

Due: AA/NA Meeting Experience Paper

Week 12
Other Addictions: We will cover ones not addressed in your papers and I will supplement other information on certain addictions.
Read: Fisher & Harrison Ch. 14

Due: Pre-grade for Research Paper

Week 13
Relapse
Relapse Prevention
Read: Affecting Child & Family: Pages 17, 18 and 21 to 23.
Fisher & Harrison Ch. 12

No Class: Thanksgiving Break

Week 14
Recovery: How to work a recovery program.
Read: Affecting Child & Family: Pages 16, 24
Due: Research Paper

Finish any other issues.

Week 15
Speaker: To be arranged.

Presentations: Attendance is mandatory.

Week 16
Presentations: Attendance is mandatory.