Evidence Based Assessment and Treatment of Addictive Disorders

PSYC

82903

Evidence Based Assessment and Treatment of Addictive Disorders

The aim of this doctoral course is to introduce clinical psychology graduate students to the basic concepts relevant to understanding the process of treatment for addictive behaviors. The course will review modern theoretical viewpoints of addictions including neurobiological, harm-reduction and stages of change models and contrast these with psychodynamic models of addiction. Students will be familiarized with diagnostic criteria for alcohol and substance use disorders utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Addition-TR (DSM-TR) as well as to more continuum models of assessing addictions. The course offers a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of case management, planning, monitoring, and advocacy. A range of manual-driven, evidence-based treatments will be covered including motivational interviewing and enhancement, relapse prevention, twelve-step facilitation, contingency management, trauma-informed seeking safety, and safer sex skills. A final section of the course will expose students to the medications that have been developed to augment the treatment of addictions, the ways medication and counseling can work together, and understanding the context of a substance abuser's life including the use of couples and family-based social interventions.Rationale: The addition of this course to the Clinical curriculum responds directly to APA accreditation requirements that students be exposed to evidence-based assessment and treatment modalities. This course, in addition to clinical experiences with evidence-based practice, form the foundation of that exposure.Learning Objectives: To promote critical thinking and to employ these skills while reading and discussing the contemporary literature on models of addictive behavior. A second objective is to expose students to practical guidelines regarding assessment and multi-modal treatments for addictive behaviors. A major aim will be for students to gain familiarity with the current clinical and research literature regarding evidence based practices most common in community substance abuse treatment programs. As an overriding philosophy, psychological concepts will incorporate an understanding of multicultural influences including (but not limited to) racial, ethnic, cultural, gender, sexual and social class in relation to chemical dependency and treatments for substance use disorders. Across all topics, communication skills in oral and written will be tested. By the end of this course students should have a solid understanding of (1) interdisciplinary theories of addiction including neurobiological, harm reduction, motivational and dynamic perspectives; (2) principles of assessment and treatment planning; (3) a variety of evidence based models of treatment and which applications to apply; (4) the body of research evidence underlying the main evidence based models; (5) social and contextual factors associated with treatment.Assessment: Students will demonstrate mastery of the course material in a variety of ways, including written critiques of the literature demonstrating an understanding of evidence-based assessment and treatment; obtaining clinical experience and reflecting on that experience for compatibility with evidence-based objectives; and preparing a final project that demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based practice and a familiarity with research and/or clinical approaches to it. This assessment will be carried out as follows:1. Evaluation of leading an in-class critique of a research article of your own choosing (List of acceptable journals will be given, exceptions to the list need approval by professor); Summary of presentation must also be handed in = 35 %.2. Attendance at an AA meeting accompanied by a one-page (single spaced) write-up of the experience = 10%.3. Review of the Final Research or Clinical Project = 40%.4. Attendance and class participation = 15%

Offer as needed

Graduate School Graduate

Yes

030893