Units
Alcohol and Other Drug Studies
Unit code: PYB159
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit aims to give students an understanding of the extent of substance abuse in our community: who uses what, where and when; the models that have been advanced for understanding substance abuse; the intervention and therapeutic models utilised within the field; the effects of substance abuse, physiologically, socially and psychologically.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Drug and alcohol use and abuse is of growing concern in the community. This unit introduces you to theories of prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems. This unit also aims to introduce you to issues impacting on successful treatment such as dual diagnosis, specialist interventions and familial and social factors associated in the development and treatment of substance use disorders.
Aims
This unit aims to introduce you to theories of prevention, treatment and intervention models used to treat substance abuse and dependence.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of the unit:
- You will have an understanding of theories and models of prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems.
- You will have an understanding of the process of change and the key components of effective treatment and prevention programs.
- You will be able to compare the treatment options available to individuals seeking treatment for alcohol and other drug problems, and be able to outline the costs and benefits of each form of treatment.
- You will have an understanding of issues impacting on effective treatment and prevention programs such as dual diagnosis.
- You will have experience in applying theories and models of prevention and harm minimisation to target alcohol use towards a target population.
Content
You will be introduced to the prevalence of substance use in Australia and the principle of harm minimisation, and be introduced to theories of facilitating change, specialist interventions for substance abuse, and related issues such as dual diagnosis with other psychological disorders.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit includes weekly 3-hour lectures. These lectures include both a formal lecture and class discussions or videos. All lecture notes are uploaded to the unit website. An important aspect of this unit is critically evaluating theories of prevention and treatment of drug use. The written assignment is designed to assess this component of the unit.
Assessment name:
Mid-Semester Exam
Description:
Mid-semester exam - 1 hour.
Relates to objectives:
1 and 2
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
TBA
Assessment name:
Assignment
Description:
2,000 word assignment.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2 and 5
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
TBA
Assessment name:
Final Examination
Description:
Final examination - 1.5 hours.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight:
35%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Examination Period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Recommended text:
Hamilton, M., King, T., & Ritter, A. (2004). Drug use in Australia: Preventing Harm. Melbourne: Oxford Press.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 13-Sep-2012
