Chemical Dependency Course Descriptions

This course exposes the student to an understanding of the multiple factors which impact individuals, families and communities affected by alcohol or other drug problems and the variety of approaches and disciplines relevant to the successful treatment of substance use disorders. Class hrs. 3.

This course begins with the basics of ethical decision-making principles in addition to counseling. Next, understanding of professional ethical codes with emphasis on the (OASAS) Cannon of Ethical Principles, NAADAC’s Ethical Standards of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors and Federal and state regulations regarding confidentiality, and record keeping. The course emphasizes personal conduct, competence, issues of diversity, and relationships with clients, peers, supervisors, and subordinates. Using case studies students develop an ability to select an ethical plan of action. This course is required by OASAS for the CASAC. Class hrs. 3. Offered fall semester.

This course provides the basic skills of addiction counseling. Students develop knowledge and skills in the counseling methods and techniques used across the continuum of treatment: screening, intake, assessment, goal setting, plan for work, working and termination. This 4-credit course provides 60 of the classroom contact hours in alcoholism and substance abuse required by NYS OASAS for CASAC eligibility. Written permission of the Curriculum Chairperson required for registration. Class hrs. 4. Corequisite: HSERV 147A Addiction Field I. Prerequisite: Written permission from the Curriculum Chair, AND (1) A “C” or better in one of the following: Alcohol, Substance Abuse & the Family; Psychosocial Issues in Addiction; Ethics in Addiction Counseling; OR (2) One year of supervisor documented full-time client counseling experience in an OASAS approved Addiction Treatment agency or equivalent OR (3) Associate, Bachelor’s or Graduate degree in a Human Services area recognized by OASAS.

The family, broadly defined, is viewed as the identified client in the course. A social systems approach is presented as the frame of understanding, engagement and recovery for families and individuals affected by someone else’s alcohol or other drug problems. Exploration of existing services and topics of individual interest are also included. Class hrs. 3.

The Addiction Field experience which accompanies Addiction Counseling Methods requires nine hours a week in an addiction treatment agency where students continue to perform tasks related and essential to the service offered by the agency. Under the supervision of a NYS OASAS designated Qualified Health Professional students further develop the counseling skills such as screening, initial interviewing, problem identification, contracting, treatment planning, recording, case presentation and the referral process. Students learn to understand their own feelings and attitudes so they may better differentiate between the personal and professional self. Students maintain written records of their activities which are used in the linked course as a basis for classroom discussion. Class hrs. 3; 126 hrs. of Field Experience. Corequisite: HSERV 144 Addiction Counseling Methods. Offered fall semester.
 

This course is open only to advanced standing Chemical Dependency Counseling students and provides exploration of a variety of approaches and theories that are useful in-group treatment addictions. The course design uses readings, a feedback loop and group process notes to integrate didactic materials with practical field experience. Class hrs. 3. Corequisite: HSERV 214A Addiction Field II. Prerequisites: Written permission from the Curriculum Chair, AND (1) A “C” or better in one of the following: Alcohol, Substance Abuse & the Family; Psychosocial Issues in Addiction; Ethics in Addiction Counseling; OR (2) One year of supervisor documented full-time client counseling experience in an OASAS approved Addiction Treatment agency or equivalent OR (3) Associates, Bachelor’s or Graduate degree in a Human Services area recognized by OASAS. Offered spring semester.
 

This course is open only to students who are enrolled in the classroom course, HSERV 212A Addiction Group Counseling. The experience is intended to provide practical application of the materials addressed in the classroom course. Class hrs. 9 per week in agency. Corequisite: HSERV 212A Addiction Group Counseling. Offered spring semester.

This course integrates knowledge and skills with practice. It provides theoretical understanding and practice skills in a variety of models used in addiction counseling (12 Step Facilitation, Cognitive-Behavioral, Motivational Enhancement, etc.) This 3-credit course provides 45 of the 350 classroom contact hours in alcoholism, and substance abuse required by the NYS OASAS for CASAC eligibility. Class hrs. 3. Corequisite: HSERV 245 Addiction Field III. Prerequisite: Written permission from the Curriculum Chair, AND (1) A “C” or better in one of the following: Alcohol, Substance Abuse & the Family; Psychosocial Issues in Addiction; Ethics in Addiction Counseling; OR (2) One year of supervisor documented full-time client counseling experience in an OASAS approved Addiction Treatment agency or equivalent OR (3) Associate, Bachelor’s or Graduate degree in a Human Services area recognized by OASAS.

The Addiction Field III experience which accompanies Addiction Counseling Models requires nine hours a week in an addiction treatment agency where students continue to perform tasks related and essential to the service offered by the agency. Under the supervision of a professional prepared addictions treatment specialist (CASAC, CSW, Psychologist, MSN, etc.) students further develop and refine their counseling skills. Students continue in the process of learning and understanding their own feelings and attitudes. Students maintain written records of their activities which are used in the linked course as a basis for classroom discussion and learning. Class hrs. 3; 126 hrs. Field Experience. Corequisite: HSERV 244 Addiction Counseling Models. Offered spring semester.