Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Course profile

Addiction Science and Practice (PSYC7261)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Postgraduate Coursework
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Psychology School

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge and skills that a scientist practitioner needs to work effectively in the addiction treatment sector. You will be introduced to Australian drug and alcohol policy context and evidence based practices to address various phases of addiction: intoxication, withdrawal, acute treatment, and residential rehabilitation. You will also be introduced to the range of licit and illicit substances (appearance and terminology), and effects of a range of substances on the body during intoxication, withdrawal and overdose.

Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) use disorders and other behavioural addictions are among the most common presenting problems in psychological practice and yet psychologists are often poorly prepared for the complexity of client presentations and the diverse approaches offered across the treatment sector. This course aims to build on from introductory theories and treatment skills (e.g. substance use assessment, motivational interviewing, and CBT skills) by exposing students to medical, psychological, and social treatment services. The course will be underpinned by the notions of comorbidity and multi-morbidity, and aspects of the coursework will be linked to a complex case example.

As well as lectures from Professor Leanne Hides (Course Coordinator) on AOD Screening and Feedback, and Psychological Treatments for Substance Use Disorders (including Comorbid Mental Disorders), there will be guest lectures from:

  • Associate Professor Mark Daglish (Medical Director, RBWH Alcohol and Drug Service) on Medical Approaches to AOD Treatment
  • Professor Genevieve Dingle (Clinical Psychologist) on Social and Group Belonging Approaches to AOD Treatment.
  • Professor Jason Connor (Director, NCYSUR) on the Aetiology and Diagnostic Assessment of Substance Use Disorders
  • Mr Craig Worland (Manager, Lived Experience, Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy and Planning Branch, Queensland Health) on AOD Treatment from a Lived Experience Perspective
  • Dr Gabrielle Campbell (Senior Research Fellow) on AOD Policies Gone Bad - The Story behind the Opioid Crisis
  • Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall (NCYSUR) on Public Health Approaches - Tobacco Policy


Course requirements

Assumed background

It is assumed that students have received a foundational understanding of the psychopathology and treatment approaches for alcohol and other drug related disorders in the first year of their Masters training.ᅠ

Restrictions

MPsychClin, DPsych, MPsych

Course staff

Course coordinator

Lecturer

Professor Jason Connor
Professor Genevieve Dingle
Dr Gabrielle Campbell
Associate Professor Mark Daglish
Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall

Guest lecturer

Mr Craig Worland

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

The course content will be delivered in intensive mode over three days from Wednesday the 17th of July to Friday the 19th of July 2024.

Aims and outcomes

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge and skills that a scientist practitioner needs to work effectively in the addiction treatment sector.ᅠ

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Understand how various services work within the Australian Drug and Alcohol Policy context

LO2.

Apply ethical and evidence based practices to the screening/assessment and treatment of substance use disorders, including comorbidity

LO3.

Recognise and understand the actions of a range of licit and illicit substances (appearance and terminology)

LO4.

Critically evaluate AOD resources and apply them to specific audiences (e.g., clients of an AOD service, staff members, family members)

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Essay/ Critique Experience and treatment of a comorbidity
  • Hurdle
30%

29/08/2024 4:00 pm

Presentation Present Critical review of AOD resource
  • Hurdle
  • In-person
30%

16/09/2024

Student will present during the scheduled class time in Week 9.

Essay/ Critique Written Critical review of AOD resource
  • Hurdle
40%

3/10/2024 4:00 pm

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Experience and treatment of a comorbidity

  • Hurdle
Mode
Written
Category
Essay/ Critique
Weight
30%
Due date

29/08/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03

Task description

Students will select a client with a specific comorbidity (for example, social phobia + alcohol use; schizophrenia + cannabis use) and will write a maximum 2000 word essay on the experience and treatment of this client, drawing on information from the comorbidity literature. Further details will be provided in class.

Hurdle requirements

Assessment must be completed to pass the course

Submission guidelines

Online via Turnitin. Please keep a copy of your submission receipt.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Present Critical review of AOD resource

  • Hurdle
  • In-person
Mode
Oral
Category
Presentation
Weight
30%
Due date

16/09/2024

Student will present during the scheduled class time in Week 9.

Learning outcomes
L01, L04

Task description

Working independently students will present for up to 8 minutes about ONE of the 2 AOD resources they selected to critically review, and how to apply them to specific audiences (e.g., clients of an AOD service, staff members, family members). There will be Q&A after each presentation.

Hurdle requirements

Assessment must be completed to pass the course

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Students who are unable to present on the scheduled day should contact the Course Coordinator directly.

Written Critical review of AOD resource

  • Hurdle
Mode
Written
Category
Essay/ Critique
Weight
40%
Due date

3/10/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L03, L04

Task description

Self-directed learning task, in which students will select read/watch 2 AOD resouces, critically review them using the suggested criteria, and consider how they might use the resource with specific clients or AOD service settings. 

Hurdle requirements

This assessment must be completed to pass the course.

Submission guidelines

Online via Turnitin. Please keep a copy of your submission receipt.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 29.99

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

2 (Fail) 30 - 46.99

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

3 (Marginal Fail) 47 - 49.99

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: Did not meet the minimum percentage requirment and/or did not complete all the assessment items

4 (Pass) 50 - 59.99

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

5 (Credit) 60 - 69.99

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

6 (Distinction) 70 - 79.99

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

7 (High Distinction) 80 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Additional course grading information

Students must complete all pieces of assessment to pass this course

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Filter activity type by

Please select
Clear filters
Learning period Activity type Topic
O-week

(15 Jul - 21 Jul)

Workshop

Day 1

Diagnostic Assessment, Aetiology, Medical Treatment and Public Health Approaches

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Day 2

Assessment, Psychological Treatment and Lived Experience of AOD problems

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Day 3

Comorbidity and Contemporary Issues in Addiction Treatment - trauma informed care, social approaches and e-cigarettes/vaping

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 9

(16 Sep - 22 Sep)

Seminar

Student Presentation Showcase

Students present a critical review of ONE alcohol or other drug (AOD) resource

Learning outcomes: L04

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:

  • Fitness to Practise

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: