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
Guest lecturer
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
|
30% |
29/08/2024 4:00 pm |
Presentation |
Present Critical review of AOD resource
|
30% |
16/09/2024
Student will present during the scheduled class time in Week 9. |
Essay/ Critique |
Written Critical review of AOD resource
|
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 courseSubmission 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 courseSubmission 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
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:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
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: