About
The purpose of this course is to provide learners with knowledge and skills relevant to social work practice in prevention, intervention, and treatment of the coexistence of substance use disorders, mental health issues, and behavioral addictions. Students draw upon previous and concurrent learning experiences and integrate values, knowledge, and skills acquired in other social work courses with the knowledge, and skills characteristic of social work practice in the treatment of substance use disorders. The course assists students to develop an evidence-based understanding of the prevention, assessment, and treatment needs associated with social work practice principles, methods, skills, and psychopharmacology with diverse populations experiencing substance use and potential co-occurring mental health disorders. Students explore the relationships between and among substance use/mental disorders and socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical and mental ability, and other socio-environmental factors of vulnerability. Consistent with strengths and ecosystems perspectives, students consider the impact of an individual's neurochemistry, social environments, physical settings, community contexts, and political realities that support or inhibit the emergence of substance use disorders as well as the co-occurrence of mental health issues.
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