Chemical Dependency – SOWK 260

Course Description

Chemical Dependency is a course that presents an overview of the concepts associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Topics in the course are the various perspectives on treatment and prevention options; each topic is evaluated through a biblical worldview.

Rationale

This course offers the student a broad overview of the concepts of chemical dependency. The student will be presented with foundational knowledge and perspectives of alcohol and other drugs. Social workers and other helping professionals interact with people impacted by drug misuse on a regular basis. This course will aid the student in understanding substance abuse, family systems, and the variables that impact the effectiveness of intervention.

Course Assignment

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

This quiz includes reflection questions that will prompt the student to consider their own history, beliefs and values, as well as prepare for experiential aspects of the course.

As an experiential exercise, students will select a substance or daily habit from which they agree to abstain for 4 weeks. The purpose of this exercise is to experience in a small way what it is like for people struggling with addiction to give up something that is a daily part of their life and to some degree, understand its impact on the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of life. At three different times in the term, students will capture this experience in a daily log and by responding to reflection questions which will connect their abstinence experience with course materials and information about substance use and addiction.

Case Study: Screening and Assessment Assignment

Regardless of the setting or population where social workers may choose to practice, it is essential that all social workers are familiar with basic screening procedures and have basic knowledge of treatment options so they can provide quality care and referrals.

In this assignment, students will select a case scenario and demonstrate their ability to screen and refer for treatment.  The PowerPoint must follow the structure as described in the instructions.

The first part of the PowerPoint, the Case Study: Screening and Assessment Assignment, will be submitted for feedback by the instructor.  Students are expected to incorporate feedback from Part 1 and then add Part 2, Case Study: Treatment Options and Prevention Assignment, for a complete finalized PP.

Case Study: Treatment Options Assignment

Regardless of the setting or population where social workers may choose to practice, it is essential that all social workers are familiar with basic screening procedures and have basic knowledge of treatment options so they can provide quality care and referrals.

In this assignment, students will select a case scenario and demonstrate their ability to screen and refer for treatment.  The PowerPoint must follow the structure as described in the instructions.

The first part of the PowerPoint, the Case Study: Screening and Assessment Assignment, will be submitted for feedback by the instructor.  Students are expected to incorporate feedback from Part 1 and then add Part 2, Case Study: Treatment Options and Prevention Assignment, for a complete finalized PP.

The student will write a paper in current APA format regarding his or her experience in attending a 12-step program. The paper must include a title page and a reference page with  professional resources that have been published within the past 5 years and must be in current APA format.  This assignment assesses Competency 2-Diversity (knowledge & values) and Competency 7-Assessment (knowledge, cognitive and affective processes).

Each exam will cover the Learn material for the module: week in which it is assigned, along with the Learn material from the preceding module: week. Each exam will be open-book/open-notes.  These exams assess Competency 2-Diversity (knowledge & values), Competency 4-Practice-Informed Research & Research-Informed Practice (knowledge), Competency 7-Assessment (knowledge), Competency 8-Intervention (knowledge & cognitive process) & Competency 9-Evaluation (knowledge).