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Updated December 7, 2020

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Addictions Counseling Concentration

  • Credits:
    9

Concentration Description

The master’s concentration in Addictions Counseling is offered to students who are interested in developing the professional knowledge, skills and training needed to provide effective and informed addictions counseling, treatment, education and prevention.

A Key Element in Your Counseling Degree. The Addictions Counseling concentration provides an important area of knowledge for professional counselors who work with people suffering from addictions. The concentration is accepted in the following Cambridge College degree programs:

  • Mental Health Counseling
  • School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will complete the course work and field experience required for CADAC and/or LADC certification.

Careers

Addictions counseling professionals help people through public health agencies, youth services, residential treatment programs, hospitals, outpatient substance abuse programs, and homeless shelters.

Curriculum

Addiction Disorders
CCP 640 • 3 credit(s)
Designed for beginning and intermediate clinicians, this course provides a thorough foundation in substance abuse treatment. The prevention and treatment of substance abuse in people of all ages will be explored, as well as the relationship between substance use, violence, and physical and sexual abuse. Topics include: theories of etiology of addiction; pharmacology of psycho-active drugs; cultural factors that influence substance use; assessment and intervention with substance abusers and their families. Emphasis is put on diagnosis, treatment planning and referral to appropriate resources including self-help groups. Students will have the opportunity to participate in simulated interviews and experiential exercises. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standards for School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker: c: Learning disorders, including emotional issues affecting student achievement, and their treatment. f: Techniques for communicating and working with families and school and community personnel. g: Knowledge of the criminal justice system with particular reference to the juvenile justice system and organizations. i: Federal and state regulations addressing the legal rights of students and families. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standard for School Counseling: f: Knowledge of strategies used for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in PreK-12 students.
Family Treatment of Substance Abuse
CCP 606 • 3 credit(s)
This course bridges the gap between substance abuse counseling and family therapy. It examines the specific interactional patterns that help to maintain addictive behavior within the family. Case examples illustrate how to intervene in addictive families. The following topics are covered: a systemic perspective on addictive behavior; assessing substance abuse and setting treatment goals; the over-responsibility/under-responsibility dynamic in families; the Family Intervention Model; treatment needs of young children and adult children of addictive families; and facilitating family adjustment to sobriety. Course requirements include class attendance, reading, participation in experiential exercises and role play. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standard for School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker: d: Prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in PreK-12 students.
Psychopharmacology in Addictions and Mental Health Counseling.
CCP 720 • 3 credit(s)
The use of medications in the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence and their co-occurring disorders has historically been controversial. Newer medications with less potential for addiction are increasingly being used, including agonist and antagonist drugs designed to have a direct impact on the neurochemistry of addiction. Finding the balance between treating dependence and co-occurring depression, anxiety, trauma and other disorders poses a special challenge, and it appears that addressing these issues concurrently shows the most success. This course will review current clinical models of intervention and differential diagnosis. A brief review of relevant neuroanatomy and neurophysiology will set the stage for an examination of major psychotropic medications, including antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety medications, as well as newer medications for addictions treatment. This course will be grounded in clinical material and frequent presentation of case material. Requirements will minimally include one topical presentation. Responsibility will be shared for presenting material throughout the class. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction.
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