Unit code: HNO7014
Credit points: 12
This unit supports students to interrogate the nature of dependency on and addiction to substances, such as licit and illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco; and behavioural addictions to food, sex, gambling, video games, social media and gaming. Students deconstruct the concepts, models, and theories of addiction; and national and international policies and approaches to addressing addictive behaviours. An important focus of the unit is the analysis of the processes involved in achieving behavioural change, including prevention programs, counselling strategies, techniques such as motivational interviewing, and evidence-based approaches to reducing harm.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Interrogate the nature of dependency and addiction to substances, such as licit and illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, including the development of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, in the context of safe practice.
- Critically review the models, theories, and mechanisms of addiction to substances and behavioural addiction to activities such gambling, video games, social media, gaming and sex.
- Interrogate the range of screening and assessment tools for dependency and addiction to substances and activities.
- Critically review the range of evidence-based interventions, models and approaches used to support people with dependencies and addictions, including prevention programs, counselling, harm minimization, and abstinence.
- Critique the legal and ethical issues related to supporting people with dependencies and addiction, including the management of challenging behaviours and community attitudes towards people with dependencies and addictions.
Poster: Nature of dependency and addiction to substances and activities, (500 words) - 10%
Case study: Legal and ethical support of people with dependencies and addiction, (2500 words) - 50%
Presentation: Models of addiction treatment and harm minimisation (10 minutes/2000 words equivalent) - 40%
