Substance Use Disorders (PSYT90059)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Parkville) and Online
About this subject
Contact information
May
Academic Contact: kah-seong.loke@unimelb.edu.au
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 use disorder, assessment, long term effects and complications, family issues and medical and psychosocial management.
The interface between the substance use 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 use 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 Pre teaching start date 3 May 2019 Pre teaching requirements During the pre-teaching period, students should familiarise themselves with LMS and may like to take the opportunity to read through preliminary information about the subject and the services and support that is available to them. Teaching period 10 May 2019 to 14 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 3 May 2019 Census date 17 May 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 14 June 2019 Assessment period ends 5 July 2019 - May - Online
Principal coordinator Mahesh Jayaram Coordinator Kah-Seong Loke Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 6 weeks of weekly modules Pre teaching start date 3 May 2019 Pre teaching requirements During the pre-teaching period, students should familiarise themselves with the online platform and may like to take the opportunity to read through preliminary information about the subject and the services and support that is available to them. Students are encouraged to use this time to also introduce themselves to peers and teaching staff and to learn about those they will be studying with throughout the term. Teaching period 10 May 2019 to 14 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 3 May 2019 Census date 17 May 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 14 June 2019 Assessment period ends 5 July 2019 May contact information
Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing EducationPhone: + 61 3 8344 0149Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm AEST/AEDT. Weekends and University of Melbourne observed Public Holidays 10am to 5pm AEST/AEDT.Academic Contact: kah-seong.loke@unimelb.edu.au
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.
Additional information for this subject
Students wishing to take this subject under Community Access must meet the course entry requirements to be eligible.
Last updated: 3 November 2022