Alcoholism and Substance Abuses Counselor CASAC   

This course provides an overview and history of the required and basic knowledge of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and their use and abuse (ATOD). Special focus and attention is given to physical and pharmacological effects of alcohol and other substances of abuse and the interactive role of these effects on the dynamics of addiction. Particular psychoactive substances are discussed and elaborated on as well as those social and environmental effects that drugs have on society.

This course provides a comprehensive outlook and exploration of the diversity of alcoholism and substance abuse interventions and treatment approaches. Various assessment tools and Diagnostic Criteria are introduced as a skill set and tool in the evaluative process. Treatment and prevention techniques are presented as well as school and community-based intervention programs. Inpatient treatment and rehabilitation programs, residential treatment programs, detoxification services, medically supervised ambulatory drug-free treatment programs, methadone maintenance, psychotherapy, acupuncture, cognitive/behavioral approaches as well as self-help principles are discussed as part of this comprehensive study of the Substance Use Disorder Treatment dynamic.

This course provides an in-depth look and exploration of the theory and subsequent practical application of substance use
disorder counseling and therapy, from both an individual and group counseling perspective. Topics and tasks will include
the development of the group counseling process, selection and establishment of the group structure and the time frame
for maximizing group dynamics. Individual counseling issues such as client-counselor dynamics are explored along with
guidelines for establishing client-counselor contracts. (Prerequisites: ASC 01 and ASC 02 or permission of program
coordinator permission.)

This course outlines the importance of necessary knowledge in counseling clients with communicable diseases including HIV, AIDS, tuberculosis and hepatitis. The course expounds upon and provides knowledge of special populations and the impact of substance use disorders on these various special populations such as the homeless, women, teenagers, and the elderly, MICA, racial and ethnic minorities, the LGBT population and the disabled are considered in the context of techniques and approaches in outreach referral and treatment. (Prerequisites: ASC 01 and ASC 02 or permission of program coordinator.)

This course will clearly outline and define the comprehensive clinical assessment process. Assessment, Case Management and Referral will be explored and elaborated on as part of the CASAC 12 Core Function dynamic. Students will learn and demonstrate an understanding of clinical evaluation and the impact on case management and the referral process. Interviewing techniques and instruments used in assessment and case management are covered. The role of the CASAC counselor in the larger context of social and other human services delivery systems is also addressed. (Prerequisites: ASC 01, ASC 02, and ASC 31.) 40 hours, 4 CEU