Certificate In Addictions Counseling

This Addiction Specialization course covers terminology, drug classification, physiological effects, psychological effects, withdrawal syndrome, drug interactions and treatment applications. All major categories of drugs are addressed: alcohol, depressants, cocaine and other stimulants, opiates, hallucinogens, cannabinoids, inhalants and other substances. The course also explores neurological commonalities of addiction and the hypothesized role of neurotransmitters and endogenous chemicals in addictions and compulsive behaviors such as gambling, sexual behavior and shopping.

This Addiction Specialization course explores evaluation, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of abuse and addiction disorders. Attention is paid to individual counseling, group counseling, family counseling and intervention. Crisis intervention approaches are included as well. The course explores ways of adjusting counseling to sensitively address age, sex and cultural differences, co-occurring disorders, medical illnesses, criminal justice involvement and disabilities.

This course addresses the role of stress and trauma in the life of individuals with addiction, specifically investigating the role of stress and violence as both etiologically relevant and to addictions and how addictive behavior is used as a maladaptive coping response to stress and trauma. The course will examine how repeated exposure to traumatic events affects development, interpersonal relationships and neurological functioning and development. Specific counseling techniques for the treatment of trauma with co-occurring addiction will be presented.

This Addiction Specialization course involves an exploration of family issues in abuse and addiction. Topics include system theory and family dynamics; codependency; abuse issues; the family life-cycle; developmental issues in families; the role of culture in families; co-occurring disorders, including medical and psychological disorders; and models of family counseling.