Managing Addiction: A Framework for Successful Treatment

About

Addiction is such a common problem today that people experiencing alcohol, nicotine or other drug problems present in many different healthcare settings. The challenge of linking people experiencing addiction to the right response is a serious one, and much depends on understanding addiction and recognising the role that we all play in the pathway to recovery.

This course is intended to help you meet this challenge by increasing your understanding of the biology of addiction and the available treatment options in the different stages of the recovery journey.

Key questions we will look at in this course include:

• When do we call "excessive use" addiction?
• Why is it so difficult to change addictive behaviour?
• Who can play a role to get people on the track to recovery?
• How do you respond to people with mild to moderate problems?
• How can you assess and increase motivation to change?
• What sort of interventions can support a person experiencing severe addiction?
• What is my role as a professional, either within or outside of addiction care?
• How can I identify the best of the many options available?
• What are hurdles to get the right support to manage addiction around the world?

This course explores the "Recovery Pathway," an easy-to-use framework for helping people with addiction move successfully from addiction to recovery. It helps plan a pathway through screening and assessment, to withdrawal and long-term relapse prevention. The course will examine a range of psychosocial interventions and medication-assisted treatments. You will review the biological basis of behaviour and treatment related to the stage of recovery, as well as evidence-based and service delivery considerations. This course is an ideal starting-point for healthcare professionals who want to get to grips with effective approaches to treating addiction.

If this MOOC topic is of interest to you, there are a number of University of Adelaide programs which may be of interest. You can find these listed here. Please note that MOOCs are intended to give a taster to University of Adelaide study but do not amount to credit into University courses

What you will learn

• Framework for pathways to recovery
• How to identify people at risk of addiction
• Applied understanding of intervention and treatment options

Skills you learn

• Biology
• Service Delivery Improvement
• Relapse Prevention

Syllabus

Week 1: Addiction and Recovery

» 1.1 Identify the main types of addictive behaviours

» 1.2 Explain the effects of different drugs

» 1.3 Explain the biological basis of addiction

» 1.4 Explain the concept of a recovery pathway.

Week 2: Risk Behaviours and Brief Intervention

» 2.1 Identify processes for screening those at risk of drug addiction

» 2.2 Describe the stages of change

» 2.3 Detail approaches for responding to screening results

» 2.4 Identify barriers to early intervention.

Week 3: Managing Withdrawal

» 3.1 Describe the biology of withdrawal

» 3.2 Identify realistic expectations for interventions to manage withdrawal

» 3.3 Determine appropriate methods and settings for withdrawal management

» 3.4 Explain the critical decisions in withdrawal management and planning aftercare.

Week 4: Promoting Sustained Recovery

» 4.1 Identifying the aims of treatment in the whole treatment journey

» 4.2 Discuss the options for psychosocial support

» 4.3 Differentiate the options for medication

» 4.4 Explain the critical decisions in selecting treatment options.

Week 5: Putting It All Together

» 5.1 Identify different treatment needs

» 5.2 Identify international perspectives on attitudes to treatment and available choices

» 5.3 Discuss future directions in understanding addictive behaviours and treatment.

Auto Summary

Discover the complexities of addiction with "Managing Addiction: A Framework for Successful Treatment," led by the University of Adelaide on edX. This foundational course delves into the biology of addiction, treatment options, and the recovery journey, providing healthcare professionals with an in-depth understanding of effective intervention strategies. Over six weeks, explore key questions about addiction, motivation, and recovery pathways through engaging content and practical frameworks. Ideal for professionals seeking comprehensive knowledge in addiction management, subscribe now for a transformative learning experience.