Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 585 Substance Abuse – Summer B 2019

Credits - 3

Description

The focus of this course is to examine issues associated with substance use and the intersection of multiple individual, family, organizational and societal systems that contribute to risk and resilience. We will explore the impact of social exclusion on the way in which substance use disorders are defined, who receives treatment, at what level, and at what cost. Students will learn to identify, through a person-centered, biopsychosocial lens, the strengths and challenges of those who are impacted by substance use. Students will develop competency and resources to aid in prevention and intervention with individuals, families, organizations and policy makers.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

School of Social Work Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:

1. Practice social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society, enhance human bonds in the context of cultural diversity and ensure improved quality of life and equitable resource distribution. EPAS Competencies 2 & 3
2. Engage in culturally-informed relationship building, being respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. EPAS Competencies 3 & 6
3. Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. EPAS Competency 8
4. Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based in social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. EPAS Competency 1
5. Balance the roles of helpers, activists, and advocates through collaboration with communities to build healthy and sustainable resources. EPAS Competencies 2, 5, & 6
6. Engage as critical consumers and producers of research as it relates to assessment, intervention and evaluation of clinical and community practices. EPAS Competencies 4, 7, 8 & 9
7. Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. EPAS Competency 6

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Have an understanding and awareness of the etiology and epidemiology of substance use disorders. Program Outcome 6
2. Have an understanding of the impact of substance use on the family. Program Outcome 2
3. Develop an awareness and understanding of the impact of cultural values and ethnicity on substance use disorder treatment and recovery. Program Outcome 4
4. Have an understanding of social policies related to substance use and how these are driven by research, public opinion and media. Program Outcome 4
5. Familiarize students with various theoretical perspectives on substance use disorders and how these drive the focus of assessment, treatment and recovery.  Program Outcome 6
6. Develop an understanding of clinical assessment in working with individuals with substance use disorders. Program Outcome 3
7. Develop self-awareness and begin to challenge their own myths, biases and misunderstanding about individuals with substance use disorders. Program Outcome 4

Assignments

A variety of learning activities are designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each module include the following:

Readings and Multimedia

Description: This course will use an array of readings, podcasts, and videos to present the important concepts in the various modules. The readings and media resources provide the foundation and background for student discussion threads, blogs and wikis, and written assignments.

Discussions

Description: An important learning method in this course is student participation and interaction in the discussion threads within each module. Students are expected to participate actively and in a respectful manner. Please refer to Course Policies about participation for a full discussion of expectations.

Writing Assignments, Projects, and Assessments

Description: You will complete one major paper and an interview. There will be case studies for discussion in addition to content discussions, and a reflection journal about your experience with “an addiction”. All written assignments should follow the APA format.

Reflection Journal: (Due in Modules 2, 3, 4, & 8) Beginning in Week 2 you are asked to abstain from a substance or an activity that are routinely part of your life for 17 days. Some things to consider abstaining from could be caffeine, soda, gluten, alcohol, drugs (not prescribed medication), sugar, ice cream, video-gaming, Facebook, nicotine, etc.

Please be aware that if you choose to abstain from a substance that you use heavily (particularly alcohol or other drugs), you may experience withdrawal symptoms. If this is the case, please consider choosing a less toxic substance or activity and/or seek medical attention immediately if you do experience serious withdrawal symptoms.

Your reflective journal entries for Weeks 2, 3, and 4 will provide you with an opportunity to explore what this experience is like for you – the challenges, barriers, responses of family and friends, positive effects, physical awareness, etc.

In Week 8, you will get practice in developing a relapse prevention plan to assist you with facilitating a positive “recovery process” with your abstained substance or activity, something that will be instrumental in helping your clients maintain sobriety and reduce relapse potential. You will want to integrate how the course materials explain or relate to your experience. A minimum of 3 pages is required for the assignment and criteria for substantive submissions must be met for full credit. Please see the assignment directions in Week 8 for a more detailed breakdown of length requirements for the different parts of the assignment. While APA format is not required for journal entries, proper use of references and citation style is expected.

Interview Paper: (Due in Week 4) Solicit an interview with a substance use disorders treatment or prevention professional regarding (as relevant and appropriate) their personal and professional experiences with substance use, abuse, and dependence. Solicit their beliefs, values, and attitudes toward working with individuals with substance use disorders and/or family members. What have they learned along the way? How has their knowledge, understanding, and attitudes changed since they began working in the field? How many years have they been focusing on working with substance use disorders? Ideally, this interview will inform the final substance abuse paper you will be writing in this course.

You will provide a 6-8 paragraph summary of your interview with the professional and summarize your reactions to this interview in light of your learning in this class as well as your own knowledge and experiences. Please refer to the course materials and readings to support your response. For this paper, include 2-3 course materials plus sources from the texts as references. APA format, 5-7 pages.

Final Substance Abuse Paper (Due in Week 7): This final paper is about a particular area of interest related to substance use issues. Examples of some topics are: an in-depth exploration of a particular population (youth, affected family members, elders, etc.); further exploration regarding epidemiology or etiology of substance use disorders in a particular group or geographic region; an in-depth look at state and federal policies related to substance use disorders (prevention, treatment, criminalization, etc); comparing and contrasting approaches to treatment and recovery, etc. Please include a multi-systemic and multi-level social work perspective.

For this paper, you will first draft a research paper proposal (due in Week 3).

The Paper should include:

1. Introduction: A concise overview of your topic which integrates the literature. This section should provide a vivid snapshot of the aspect of substance use that you are focusing on and ends with your particular stance regarding the issue. The introduction should be very clear and to the point (up to 1 page).
2. An analysis of your topic which includes a thorough review of the literature. This section should be a critical analysis of the literature and research and the formulation of your perspective based on the literature and research (4-6 pages, as needed to cover your topic):

• A review of the literature and varying perspectives (at least 2 different points of view or theoretical lenses) on the topic you have chosen;
• Any current research (quantitative and qualitative) relevant to your topic;
• Brief formulation of your perspective on the particular area of substance use you have chosen.

3. Discussion which includes the following components:

• Strengths and challenges of current approaches to the issue/topic of your paper.
• Social work practice implications associated with your topic (1-3 pages, as needed to cover your topic).
• Social policy implications associated with your topic (1-3 pages, as needed to cover your topic).

4. Summary: The summary includes a very concise summation of your paper and which leads into a brief, dynamic discussion on the relevance/contribution of your topic on the field of substance abuse. The paper should conclude with recommendations for next steps in addressing the issues raised in your paper (2-4 very tight, focused, organized pages).

The overall paper needs to be very well edited so as to present a well organized, well structured, concise, integrated paper.

Grading and Feedback Method: Grading and feedback methods are listed with each assignment. Please refer to the Learning Modules for more information. Individual rubrics will be provided in the learning modules. Please refer to each module for further detail on grading for participation, course assignments, and the blog.

Weekly Grading and Feedback: The course facilitator will return assignments and other grading items (discussion boards, participation, etc.) to students within three days of the assignment due date. The course facilitator will provide weekly feedback about participation and performance no later than four days after the learning module closes. Feedback can be via email or within the assignment itself.

Due Dates: Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the “Course Schedule.”

Grading Policy

The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignment	Point Value	Percentage of Final Grade
Final Substance Abuse Paper (Introduction + Final Paper)	330 points (30 points + 300 points)	33%
Interview Assignment	200 points	20%
Discussions	320 points (20 pts * 16 discussions)	32%
Reflective Journal (Completed in 4 weeks)	150 points (35 pts * 3 entries + 45 pts last entry)	15%
Total:	1,000	100%