Course Descriptions
The online Addiction Counselor Program consists of six 3-credit courses. The schedule for upcoming semesters is as follows:
- Fall 2008
- SW 195: Problems of Substance Abuse and Addiction
- SW 295-1: Bio Psycho Social Factors of Addiction
- SW 295-2: Substance Abuse Prevention
- SW 395-1: Addiction Treatment I
- SW 395-2: Individual and Group Addiction Treatment
- SW 495: Addiction Treatment II
- Spring 2009
- SW 195 Problems of Substance Abuse and Addiction
- SW 295-1 Bio/Psycho/Social Factors in Addiction
- SW 295-2 Substance Abuse Prevention
- SW 395-1 Addiction Treatment I
- SW 495 Addiction Treatment II
- Summer 2009
- SW 195 Problems of Substance Abuse and Addiction
- SW 295-2 Substance Abuse Prevention
- Fall 2009
- SW 195 Problems of Substance Abuse and Addiction
- SW 295-1 Bio/Psycho/Social Factors in Addiction
- SW 295-2 Substance Abuse Prevention
- SW 395-1 Addiction Treatment I
- SW 395-2 Individual and Group Addiction Treatment
- SW 495 Addiction Treatment II
Courses are taken in sequence except where noted. Please note prerequisites listed at the end of each course description.
| Sequence of Courses in the Online Addiction Counselor Training Program | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | SW 195 (HCS 154) | SW295-2 (HCS 255) |
| Second Semester | SW 295-1 (HCS 254) | |
| Third Semester | SW 395-1 (HCS 354-1) | |
| Fourth Semester | SW395-2 (HCS 355) | SW 495 (HCS 454) |
Courses are offered through the University of Nevada-Reno. After your registration is complete you'll receive a welcome packet from UNR which will include instructions for logging on and contact information for technical support at UNR.
Textbooks can be purchased from your preferred online book source (i.e. Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, etc) or direct from UNR.
SW195 - Problems of Substance Abuse and Addiction - 3 cr.
This course provides an introduction to the problems associated with alcohol and other drugs use in our society.
Topics include: Identification of substances, causal factors of abuse of alcohol and other drugs, assessment and diagnosis, effects of substance abuse with special populations, as well as approaches/techniques recognize as effective in treating alcohol and other drugs use. (HCS 154 at UNR)
Textbook for Fall 2008: Fisher, G.L. & Harrison, T.C., Substance Abuse: Information for School Counselors, Social Workers, Therapists and Counselors, Fourth Edition, 2009; Allyn and Bacon; ISBN: 0205591760.
SW295-1 - Bio/Psycho/Social Factors in Addiction - 3 cr.
Theories of alcohol and other drug addictions with emphasis on the signs and symptoms of problematic use and abuse. (HCS 254 at UNR)
Textbook for Fall 2008: Inaba, Darryl S. and William E. Cohen, Uppers, Downers, All Arounders, Sixth Edition, 2007; CNS Publications, Inc.; ISBN: 9780926544284.
Prerequisite: SW 195.
SW295-2 - Substance Abuse Prevention - 3 cr.
A basic overview of substance abuse prevention with emphasis on scientifically defensible substance abuse prevention research and practices. (HCS 255 at UNR)
Textbook for Fall 2008: Hogan, J., K. Gabrielsen, N. Luna, and D. Grothaus, Substance Abuse Prevention: The Intersection of Science and Practice, 2003; Allyn & Bacon; ISBN: 0205341624.
Prerequisite: SW 195 (may be taken concurrently).
SW395-1 - Addiction Treatment I - 3 cr.
Provides an overview of the philosophical and procedural components for providing addiction treatment services.
Topics include: Professional characteristics of the addiction counselor, ethical/legal considerations, helping process styles, motivational interviewing, and assessment procedures. (HCS 354-1 at UNR)
Textbook for Fall 2008: Lawson, Gary, Ann Lawson and Clayton Rivers, Essentials of Chemical Dependency Counseling, Third Edition, 2001; ProEd; ISBN: 0834218240. Quick Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association; ISBN: 0890420262.
Prerequisite: SW 295-1.
SW395-2 - Individual and Group Addiction Treatment - 3 cr.
Individual and group addiction treatment is a communications skills course that presents skills, concepts, and methods for application to professionals working with addictions treatment populations. It is designed as an introductory course for skills acquisition, applicable to individual and group addictions treatment settings, and is NOT a graduate course in counseling. The course will combine readings, reflective exercises and activities, CD-ROMs, and Internet-based resources to maximize the student’s ability to apply the skills in entry-level human service settings.
The course is divided into four sections. In three sections of the course, the book and CD-ROM by Ivey & Ivey will be used. In the fourth section of the course, the book, videocassette, and CD-ROM by Haney & Leibsohn will be used.
The four sections of the course are as follows: (1) In weeks one and two, an overview of the course skills and their applicability for helping professionals will be extended. (2) In weeks three through eight, specific skills to enhance the ability to hear a client’s story through organizing and interviewing skills will be presented. (3) After the midterm examination, in weeks nine through thirteen, skills will be taught to help clients generate new stories that lead to action, otherwise knows as “advanced skills and strategies.” (4) In addition, in weeks six and twelve, skill integration and recognition using actual group demonstrations on videocassette will be the focus.
The advanced student is encouraged to not only practice the skills from the Ivey & Ivey book and CD-ROM but to skip ahead to the Haney and Liebsohn book and CD-ROM to gain a deeper familiarity with the application of the skills presented. (HCS 355 at UNR)
Textbook for Fall 2008: Mee-Lee, Ivey, A.E., and Ivey, M.B., Intentional Interviewing and Counseling: Facilitating Client Development in a Multicultural Society (text and CD-ROM), Sixth Edition, 2007; Brooks/Cole; ISBN: 9780495006190.
Haney, H., and J. Leibsohn, Basic Counseling Responses in Groups: A Multimedia Learning System for the Helping Professions(text and VHS), 2001; Brooks/Cole; ISBN: 9780534575731.
Prerequisite: SW 395-1.
SW495 - Addiction Treatment II - 3 cr.
Provides information related to the practical application of providing addiction-counseling services.
Topics include: Ethical and legal issues, the process of substance abuse counseling, various styles and models of client care, client/patient placement, and continued care criteria and case management. (HCS 454 at UNR)
Textbook for Fall 2008: Mee-Lee, Shulman, Fishman, Gastfriend and Griffith, eds., ASAM Patient Placement Criteria for the Treatment of Substance-Related Disorders, Second Edition, 2001; American Society of Addiction Medicine; ISBN: 1880425068. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR, American Psychiatric Association; ISBN: 0890420254.
Prerequisite: SW 295-1 and SW 395-1.