COU 590 Substance Use Disorders and Process Addictions

This course is designed to provide clinical mental health counseling students with an overview of substances use disorders and process addictions. This course examines the various etiological factors that contribute to substances use disorders and process addictions, including neurobiological, genetic, psychological, socio-cultural, environmental, spiritual, and contextual factors. Emphasis will be placed on a bio-psychosocial model, highlighting the inter-relationship between such factors.  Special emphasis will be placed on co-morbid disorders, differential diagnostic issues, and the various methods used to evaluate substance use problems. Barriers to effective treatment will also be discussed.