Substance Use Disorders (PSYT90059)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Parkville) and Online
About this subject
Contact information
May
May
Overview
| Availability | May - On Campus May - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The unit will provide an introduction into the area of substance abuse - definitions, classification systems, and epidemiology including incidence, prevalence and risk factors. It will cover the major substances of abuse including alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens. The unit will have a practical approach, covering issues of features of the substance abuse disorder, assessment, long term effects and complications, family issues and medical and psychosocial management.
The interface between the substance abuse disorder and mental health and the issue of “Dual Diagnosis”, i.e. the co-occurrence of serious mental illness and substance use disorder in a particular person will comprise a major focus of the selective. Issues specific to the field of “Dual Diagnosis” such as epidemiology, the relationship between mental disorder and substance use disorder, the diagnosis of the respective conditions and their acute and long-term management will be covered.
Delivery of care in various treatment settings such as inpatient care, home-based detoxification, and residential support and rehabilitation services will be examined. Theoretical aspects of addiction and the psychological framework for treatment such as Prochaska and Di Clemente’s ‘stages of change’, motivational interviewing, 12 steps program of AA, co-dependency, relapse prevention and Zinberg’s social setting will be explored. The wider impact of substance abuse in the community will be covered, including prevention and health promotion, public education, the media, political, economic and social issues related to the availability of substances.
Intended learning outcomes
- Describe the epidemiology, aetiology, psychopathology, clinical features, complications and natural history of substance abuse disorders and the issues specific to “Dual Diagnosis” field;
- Describe the organisations involved in the delivery of drug treatment services;
- Demonstrate the clinical skills and knowledge needed to assess and develop treatment interventions for patients with substance use disorders;
- Critically reflect on current service structures and systems, and propose improvements; and
- Demonstrate the skills required to communicate clearly with colleagues especially in relation to the implications of psychiatric issues with colleagues, patients and carers including the specific interpersonal skills required in the management of patients with substance use disorders and to effectively liaise with medical and non-medical colleagues in non-psychiatric settings
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Case history, 1500 words, due at the end of the end of semester examination period (50%)
- 10 minute class presentation, during term, (30%)
- Logbook, due at the end of the end of semester examination period (20%)
- Attendance: 75% of sessions (for face-to-face students) OR 75% completion of online modules (for online students) (Hurdle requirement)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- May - On Campus
Principal coordinator Kah-Seong Loke Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 6 weeks x 3.5 hour seminars Teaching period 12 May 2017 to 16 June 2017 Last self-enrol date 19 May 2017 Census date 26 May 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 June 2017 Assessment period ends 7 July 2017 May contact information
- May - Online
Time commitment details
85
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
- Solomon, J., Zimberg, S. & Shollar, E. (ed) (1993), Dual diagnosis: Evaluation, Treatment, Training and Program Development, Plenum Medical Books Co, New York
- Gitlow S. (2006), Substance Use Disorders, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia
- Cami J & Farre M (2003), Mechanisms of disease: Drug Addiction, New England Journal of Medicine 2003: 349 (10) pp. 975-986
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Psychiatry Course Master of Psychiatry - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022