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Alcohol, Other Drugs and Recovery (NURS90142)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online

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Overview

Availability
September - Online
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This elective subject will introduce the speciality area of substance use and addiction, exploring the interaction between substance use, health and socio-cultural and political systems, and the role of the clinician in working with and supporting consumers, carers and communities. This subject will introduce the types of substances associated with addiction, and evidenced-based approaches to the screening, assessment, formulation, treatment interventions, and associated risks. There will be a focus on recovery principles and cultural competence to support and empower consumers and their families/carers.

The subject aims to facilitate the development of knowledge and skills that will help students to become competent and confident to work with individuals with substance use and behaviours of addiction, in a variety of health care settings.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) by:

  • Identifying the relationship between alcohol and other drug use and co-occurring illness);
  • Screening and assessing AOD issues and developing a formulation;
  • Assessing the risks and needs specific to consumers in the context of AOD use, formulating targeted interventions including harm minimisation;
  • Identifying appropriate stakeholders (i.e., families/carers, emergency services, residential and community services) in the planning and provision of care for consumers who use AOD;
  • Understanding the ethical, socio-cultural, legal, political and systemic aspects of AOD use, and implications on the screening, assessment, and treatment outcomes for consumers;
  • Have an awareness of the impact of stigma, including self-stigma and discrimination on individuals who use substances, and their carers/families, and learning to be an advocate within the health services
  • Developing therapeutic relationships inclusive of inherent professional boundaries, incorporating strengths based, recovery focussed, and trauma informed care with consumers with complex AOD use, and their families/carers.

Generic skills

  • Upon successful completion of this elective unit, students will be able to - Describe the relationship between alcohol and other drug use (AOD) and co-occurring Illnesses - Demonstrate specialised skills needed to screen, assess, and treat AOD use and the associated risks - Demonstrate understanding of the socio-cultural, political and systematic aspects of AOD use and implications on care, and clinical practice - Identify and minimise stigma and discrimination for individuals and their carer/families associated with AODs - Demonstrate the integration of evidenced based interventions such as recovery and strengths- based principles into the care of individuals with behaviours of addiction in various health settings.

Last updated: 31 January 2024