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PSYC 305 Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus

PSYC 305

Overview of Theory and Treatment of Substance Abuse

Course Description

This course includes a thorough examination of the theoretical models of addiction, the introduction to the neurobiology of addiction, the addiction cycle, the evaluation and treatment of addictions, and the trauma that occurs with addictions.

Rationale

This course is designed to equip the student with the theoretical basis of addictions and the ability to clinically assess and diagnose individuals with substance related problems. In addition, the student will be introduced to the neurobiology of addiction and gain an understanding of treatment options and the psychopharmacology of drugs. Finally, he/she will be able to identify the dually-diagnosed client and make appropriate treatment recommendations for the client with substance-related problems.

I. Prerequisites

PSYC 255 and PSYC 101, 210 or SOCI 201

II. Required Resource Purchases

American Psychological Association. Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (Current ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Doweiko, H. E. (2015). Concepts of chemical dependency (9th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. ISBN: 9781285455136.

May, G. G. (1988). Addiction & grace: Love and spirituality in the healing of addictions. New York, NY: HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780061122439.

Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in these resources.

III. Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

C. Microsoft Office

IV. Measurable Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Discuss the theoretical concepts of addiction.

B. Identify current theories and terminology associated with addiction.

C. Describe the pharmacology of drugs and addiction.

D. List clinical features of addiction.

E. Evaluate evidence of use, abuse, and addiction, and make an appropriate referral.

F. Recognize features of co-occurring disorders.

V. Course Requirements and Assignments

A. Textbook readings and lecture presentations

B. Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.

C. Discussion Board Forums (5)

Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. Each thread must be a minimum of 200 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 1 other classmate’s thread. Each reply must be a minimum of 100 words. In preparation for Discussion Board Forum 3, the student will attend a 12-step meeting and discuss his/her experience with classmates. The 12-Step Meeting Selection assignment will prepare the student for this Discussion Board Forum.

D. 12-Step Meeting Selection

The student will write 1 paragraph explaining what type of meeting he/she will attend and why this particular group was chosen.

E. Community Support PowerPoint/Pamphlet

The student will create either a PowerPoint presentation or a pamphlet to be used in presenting to a community or church group in order to solicit support for substance abuse/addiction treatment. The assignment must include at least 1–2 sources in current APA format. The PowerPoint presentation must contain 8–10 slides and include a script for each slide. The pamphlet must be bi-fold or tri-fold and use both sides of the paper.

F. Addiction Paper

The student will write a 3–5-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on a specific addiction. The paper must include at least 3 outside sources that are from current, professional (peer-reviewed) journals and have been published in the last 5 years.

G. Case Study Assessment Paper

The student will thoroughly assess one of the individuals from the case histories provided and write a 6–8-page paper on the topic. The assessment must address the spiritual, genetic, and psychosocial aspects of the individual’s behavior. The student must incorporate what has been learned in the course into this assessment. The paper must be in current APA format; a title page and reference page must be included. The student must include references to at least 3 presentations from the course as well as references to 3–4 additional items from the Reading & Study material to support all assertions.

H. Tests (4)

Each test will cover the Reading & Study material for the assigned modules/weeks. Each test will be open-book/open-notes, contain 25 multiple-choice questions, and have a 50-minute time limit.

VI. Course Grading and Policies

A. Points

Course Requirements Checklist	10
Discussion Board Forums (5 at 50 pts ea)	250
12-Step Meeting Selection	10
Community Support PowerPoint/Pamphlet	100
Addiction Paper	100
Case Study Assessment Paper	140
Test 1	(Modules 1–2)	100
Test 2	(Modules 3–4)	100
Test 3	(Modules 5–6)	100
Test 4	(Modules 7–8)	100
Total	1010

B. Scale

A = 900–1010 B = 800–899 C = 700–799 D = 600–699 F = 0–599

C. Late Assignment Policy

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email.

Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will receive a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted.

4. Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.

Special circumstances (e.g., death in the family, personal health issues) will be reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.

D. Disability Assistance

Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at [email protected] to make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.

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