PSY420 Alcohol, Drugs and Addiction

Teaching language

Norwegian

Course contents

This course aims to enhance and develop the student`s knowledge of substance use and addiction from different professional theories and traditions.

Central topics:

• A retrospective view on substance use, alcohol and drugs in society

• Basic terminology and different theories of addiction

• Facts about various types of alcohol and drugs Epidemiology

• Addiction in a family perspective

• Comorbidity between substance use disorders and mental illness

• Substance use: social and cultural differences

• Risk behavior and early intervention

• Substance use during pregnancy

• Mapping and diagnostics

• View of human life and ethics

• Addiction research

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the student will:

• have advanced knowledge of substance use in a historic -, legal - as well as in a health- and socio-political perspective, and can understand the organization and responsibility delegation in the field of alcohol and drug addiction

• have advanced knowledge of alcohol and different drugs and be able to inform about their effects and harmful use

• have updated knowledge on the prevalence of drug use (epidemiology)

• have thorough knowledge of various forms of addiction and of how addiction is explained within different professional theories and traditions

• have thorough knowledge of the social consequences of alcohol and drug addiction (family, networks, community)

• have an in-depth understanding of key factors in preventative work and substance abuse related public health work

• have advanced knowledge of mapping and identification of substance abuse problems

• have advanced knowledge of possible comorbidity between substance use disorders and mental illness

• have advanced knowledge of diagnoses and diagnostic systems

• be able to understand different treatment- and rehabilitation interventions

• be able to systematically, critically and ethically reflect upon the development of own practice

• have an insight into research, evaluation and quality assurance in the field of alcohol and drug addiction

• be able to analyze academic issues based on the history of the field, traditions, distinctive character and place in society

 

Examination requirements

Attendance requirements must be met in the compulsory parts of the course.

Approved written group assignment.

Please refer to the course brochure for details.

Teaching methods

• Lectures

• Seminars

• Tutorials

• Self-study

Seminars are compulsory and 80 % certified attendance is required.

The tutorials focus on dilemmas and challenges based on earlier experience, which will stimulate to professional competence development. Supervision is compulsory and 90 % certified attendance is required.

Estimated student work load is approximately 405 hours.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Offered as Single Standing Module

Yes. Subject to avalibility or capacity.

Assessment methods and criteria

A graded 6-hour individual written examination.

Please refer to the course brochure for details.