MMFT 605 Addiction and Family Systems

This course explores the systemic impact of addiction on individuals, couples, and families, emphasizing relational and intergenerational dynamics. Students will examine evidence-based treatment models for substance and behavioral addictions within the context of marriage and family therapy. Special attention is given to family-based interventions, systemic relapse prevention, and the role of faith-based perspectives in recovery. Ethical considerations and co-occurring disorders in relational therapy will also be addressed.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Addiction affects not only the individual but also family relationships and relational dynamics. This course equips the student with systemic approaches to addiction treatment, emphasizing family involvement and relational recovery. By integrating cultural, ethical, and faith-based perspectives, the student develops a comprehensive understanding of addiction and its impact on relational well-being.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. The thread must be 350–400 words and must contain at least 1 scholarly source cited in current APA format. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to two classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 250–300 words and use at least 1 scholarly source in current APA format.

Note: Acceptable scholarly sources include the Read materials or professional journal articles (no websites, with the exception of professional organizations, i.e., SAMHSA, NCBI, AAMFT). (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Discussion: Community Impact Presentation

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete one Discussion: Community Impact Presentation in the course. The student will first post the Community Impact Project Presentation as a thread by the thread due date. The student must then post 2 replies of at least 250–300 words by the reply due date. Each reply must
incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation(s) in APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable scholarly sources include Learn materials or professional journal articles.

Community Impact Project Assignments (4)

The community impact project is meant to help the student explore his or her community and determine what behavioral addiction is most prevalent in the area. The area can include the student’s immediate locale, region, or state. The community impact project will be completed in the following four parts:

Community Impact Project: Topic Assignment

The student will identify a behavioral addiction topic of choice and then write 3-5 sentences explaining why this topic was chosen. (CLO: A, D)

Community Impact Project: Background Assignment 

The student will provide a brief background of the identified problem. This assignment is 3 to 5 pages in length and supported by at least 5 scholarly sources in current APA format. (CLO: A, D)

Community Impact Project: Prevention, Treatment, and Action Assignment 

The third part of the assignment addresses issues surrounding the prevention and treatment of the chosen behavioral addiction. This assignment is 3 to 5 pages in length and supported by at least 5 scholarly sources in current APA format. (CLO: C, E)

Community Impact Project: Presentation Assignment

The final part of the Community Impact Project is a 10- to 15-minute presentation that covers the findings of the chosen behavioral addiction study. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Each part of the assignment will be submitted separately, culminating in a final presentation of the project. The assignment instructions contain additional details.

Case Study Assignment

The case study assignment is designed to help the student apply course content to a counseling situation. The student is to select a case study provided within the assignment resources section in Canvas, identify the key issues presented, provide diagnostic impressions based on the DSM-5 or, if it is not currently included in the DSM, other scholarly materials, and develop treatment recommendations. The Case Study assignment must be 3–4 pages of content and incorporate at least 3 citations from scholarly and empirically-based sources for treatment recommendation utilizing current APA format. 

The student will write an original review of the Poon, Tsang, Chan, Man, NG, et.al. (2021) article, offering a brief summary of the researchers’ salient points and conclusions, as well as including critical feedback and recommendations for further research in this area.

Quizzes (3)

There will be three quizzes that cover the course material and textbook readings. The quizzes consist of 25 questions each and include true/false, multiple-choice, multiple-answer, and essay questions. The student will have one hour to complete each quiz during the Module: Week assigned.

Quiz: Dispositions Reflection

The student will rate him/herself on the nine dispositions required for this program. The quiz will contain 9 multiple-choice questions and 1 essay question and is limited to 1 hour. The student is allowed 1 attempt to complete the quiz.