MSW 570: Social Work Practice with Substance Abuse Treatment (3 units) Instructor: Office: Office Hours: Christine A. Ford, LCSW, RN EC 207G Th. 5:30-6:45 p.m. or by appt. Office Phone: 657-278-8479 Email: Class Hours: Prerequisite: cford@fullerton.edu Th 7:00-10:00 p.m. Admission to MSW program or instructor approval Course Description from the Catalogue: Theories and methods in the diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse disorders, focusing on the role of social workers in the prevention/intervention of substance abusers and their families. Dual diagnosis, prenatal drug/alcohol exposure, and challenges for special groups. Course Objectives and Student Learning Goals: This course examines assessment, treatment, and intervention options for addictive disorders. Topics include: an overview of addiction, the biology, psychology and social aspects of addiction, strengths- and evidence- based intervention strategies, co-occurring disorders, effects on families, community relapse prevention groups, public policy, and considerations for special populations ( women, older adults, adolescents, mentally ill, etc.) Upon completion of this course, the student will demonstrate: 1. Knowledge of the historical perspectives of substance abuse/dependency and the effects on public policy. 2. Knowledge of a variety of evidence-based interventions for the treatment of those individuals suffering from addiction and their families. 3. Ability to complete a comprehensive assessment for substance use/abuse and devise a clientcentered treatment plan. 4. Knowledge and understanding of the effects of substance abuse on special populations including adolescents, pregnant women, older adults, individuals with co-occurring mental disorders, and demonstrate the ability to tailor treatment to these populations. 5. Knowledge of resources for inpatient/outpatient treatment, community self-help groups, and alternative models of treatment.
Required Texts and Reading: Required: Van Wormer, K. & Davis, D. (2013). Addiction treatment: a strengths perspective. 3 rd ed. Belmont, CA: Cengage. Video: When a Man Loves a Woman (1994) Recommended: Fetting, M. (2012). Perspectives on addiction: an integrative treatment model with clinical case studies. Los Angeles, CA: Sage. Perkinson, R. (2012). Chemical dependency counseling: a practical guide. Los Angeles, CA: Sage. Grading: Students will be graded based on the following planned assignments: 1. Substance abuse reflection paper- 100 points a. Students will write a 6-10 page paper on their current perceptions of substance abuse. b. This paper will be due week 4 of the semester. c. More specific information about the paper will be discussed in class. 2. 12 step analysis paper- 200 points a. Students will attend a minimum of six 12 step meetings during the semester. b. Two meetings must be Al-Anon meetings. c. Students will write an 8-10 page paper discussing their experience, observations, reactions, etc. d. This paper will be due week 11. e. More specific information about the paper will be discussed in class. 3. Case study paper- 200 points a. Using the movie When a Man Loves a Woman as a case study, students will write a 13-15 page paper discussing and assessing all systems, applying interventions discussed in class, designing treatment plans for individuals, couple and family. b. This paper will be due the last week of class. c. More specific information about the paper will be discussed in class. Points possible = 500 Grading Standards 100-94% A 83-80% B- 69-67% D+ 93-90% A- 79-77% C+ 66-64% D 89-87% B+ 76-74% C 63-61% D- 86-84% B 73-70% C- 60% or below F
Attendance Students are expected to attend class in order to facilitate learning. Should a student be unavoidably late, it is requested that entry into the classroom be as quiet as possible so as not to disrupt the class. Should a student know in advance that they will be tardy, an email to the instructor is appreciated. Should circumstances force the student to be absent, the student should email the instructor as soon as it has been determined that the class will be missed. While attendance will not be incorporated into the grading standards, missing class may affect the student s final grade for the course as the instructor will not be obligated to provide the student with information from class, including instruction on assignments. Late Assignments Assignments are due as scheduled in the syllabus. Any conflict in submitting an assignment at the scheduled time must be discussed in advance with the instructor. Failure to notify the instructor in advance will result in a 5% loss of the associated point value for each day or portion of a day it is late. Extra Credit This course does not include an extra credit option. Academic Dishonesty Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the Academic Dishonesty section of the University Catalogue. The information is available online at http://www.fullerton.edu/handbook/policy. When a student cheats or commits plagiarism, University policy requires instructors to penalize the student academically and report the offense to the Associate Dean of Judicial Affairs. Special Needs or Accommodations Students with a disability or other special needs should know that the University Disabled Student Services Office (DSS) is on campus (UH-101; 657-278-3117) to provide assistance and support. The services can be viewed at http://www.fullerton.edu/disabledservices. The DSS provides services and counselors for students with disabilities. Students must register with DSS in order to receive accommodation. Classroom Decorum The student is expected to demonstrate the maturity of an adult learner; this necessitates politeness and respect for both the instructor and fellow students. Students are asked to silence mobile phones. Use of laptops is permitted for note-taking only. Likewise, no internet surfing, texting, facebooking, or tweeting will be tolerated. Violations of this policy may affect the final grade for the course. Repeat offenders may be placed on behavioral contracts in order to remain enrolled in the course.
Emergency Procedures The safety of all students attending CSU Fullerton is of paramount importance. During an emergency it is necessary for students to have a basic understanding of their personal responsibilities and the University s Emergency Response Procedures. Each student should familiarize themselves with these procedures by visiting http://www.fullerton.edu/emergencypreparedness/ep_students.html. Required Equipment/Materials 1. Students are expected to have access to a computer and the internet. 2. Students are required to access TITANium for additional class information or reading materials 3. The instructor may send announcements or other communication through the email function of TITANium. The student is advised to check TITANium and their campus email daily. 4. The University uses Microsoft Office 2010 software. The student is expected to have compatible software for assignments. 5. Students will need to rent the movie When a Man Loves a Woman in order to complete the Case Study Paper. This movie is available on many online video sites including Netflix.com.
Tentative Schedule Week Date Topic/Activity Reading 1 January 31 Course Overview Introduction to Course syllabus Van Wormer: Ch. 1 addictive disorders Video: HBO Addiction Series An Interview with Nora Volkow, M.D. 2 February 7 Historical perspectives Van Wormer: Ch. 2, 13 Public policy Video: HBO Addiction Series South Boston Drug Court 3 February 14 Biology of addiction Van Wormer: Ch.3 Farmer: Tour of the brain (TITANium) 4 February 21 Biology, cont. Video: HBO Addiction Series What is Addiction Substance Abuse Reflection Paper Due Fetting: Eleven Classes of Psychoactive Substances (TITANium) Perkinson: The Drugs (TITANium) 5 February 28 Biology, cont. Farmer: Psychotropic Medications and Drugs of Abuse (TITANium) 6 March 7 Gender, sexual Van Wormer: Ch. 4 orientation 7 March 14 Non-substance Van Wormer: Ch. 5 addictions 8 March 21 Psychology of addiction Van Wormer: Ch. 6 9 March 28 Screening, assessment Van Wormer: Ch. 7 Biopsychosocial Interview Treatment Plan 10 April 4 Spring Recess-No class 11 April 11 Interventions and Van Wormer: Ch. 8 strategies 12 Step Analysis Paper Due 12 April 18 Co-occurring substance Van Wormer: Ch. 9 and mental health issues 13 April 25 Families Van Wormer: Ch. 10 14 May 2 Families 15 May 9 Self-help and community based support Van Wormer: Ch. 11
16 May 16 Cultural perspectives Van Wormer: Ch. 12 Case Study Paper Due Note: check TITANium frequently for additional reading, case vignettes, etc. that may be added at any time during the semester