If you are empathetic and passionate about helping others a challenging and rewarding career in addiction support may be for you. In this role, you will help people access essential services, such as counselling, healthcare and education, to support recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
The Certificate of Alcohol and Other Drugs is a professional development program that will prepare you for work in the alcohol and drugs sector, where you will learn how to work effectively with clients with complex dependence issues. You will explore the theories of addictive behaviours and the practical and social issues of substance and alcohol abuse.
This online alcohol and other drugs course will also help you understand the major theories of addiction and the models of treatment available for addictive behaviours. You will also develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management and learn to provide services to people with coexisting mental health conditions.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident to apply a range of intervention strategies and undertake effective case management to support those suffering from addiction.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
- Historical contexts
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population
- Cultural patterns of alcohol consumption
- Alcohol misuse
- Social, political and economic contexts
- Alcohol and drug use
- Gender differences
- Age differences
- National drug strategies
- Economic costs of misuse
- Types of drugs
- Drug and alcohol dependency
- Models of treatment
- Critical incidents
- Crisis situations
- Managing clients
- Daily living assistance
- Residential support
- Day programs
- Mandatory reporting
- Abuse and neglect
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Medical / public health models
- Cognitive Behavioural Treatment
- Bio-Psycho-Social Model
- AOD practice values
- Harm minimisation
- Vulnerabilities and risk areas
- Access and equity
- Values in AOD practices
- Health promotion
- Communication skills
- Sharing information
- Effective work practices
- Law and ethics
Unit 2 - Work with clients who are intoxicated
- Intoxicated client services
- Assessing intoxication
- Statutory requirements
- Health and safety
- Signs and symptoms
- First aid
- Alcohol and the brain
- Injuries
- Safe environments
- Document services provided
- Privacy
- Reduce harm and injury
- Calm and confident approach
- Risk management
- Safety measures
- Infection control guidelines
- Seeking emergency assistance
- Long term needs
- Assisted daily living
- Service needs
- AOD client information
- Family support networks
- Signs of relapse
Unit 3 - Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
- Assessing clients’ needs
- Review client records
- Confidentiality
- Purpose of assessment
- Assessment flow chart
- Drug assessment
- AUDIT assessment
- Conducting assessment
- History and pattern of drug use
- Co-existing issues
- Co-morbid disorders
- Psychological illness
- Self-harm
- Client contract
- Familial and social relationships
- Assess current status
- Substance abuse
- Alcohol dependence
- AOD assessment tools
- Symptoms of specific drug use
- Interview questions
- AOD consequences
- Detoxification units
- Homeless youth services
- Client referral needs
- Identify client issues
- Referral protocols and procedures
Unit 4 - Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
- Relapse prevention strategies
- Personal factors
- Individual treatment plan
- Drug and alcohol terminology
- Coping mechanisms
- Signs of relapse/triggers
- Stimulus-control techniques
- Intoxication / alcohol
- Aggressive behaviour
- Stimulants and amphetamine psychosis
- Self-harm
- Impaired decision-making
- Client risk assessment
- Enhancing self-efficacy
- Support strategies
- Cognitive restructuring
- Lifestyle strategies
- Urge-management techniques
- Relapse management plan
- Harm minimisation
- Contingency plan
- Permission thoughts
- Self-help groups
- Stress management strategies
- Coping with cravings
- Client skills and strengths
- Client interventions
- Counselling and support
- Law and ethics
Unit 5 - Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
- Preparing for intervention
- Intervention requirements
- Individual treatment plans (ITP)
- Signs of abuse and addiction
- Required resources
- Client emotional well-being
- Identify client’s strengths
- Psychological interventions
- Planning an intervention
- Self-help groups
- Twelve step programs
- Drug and alcohol education
- Therapy
- Early intervention
- Crisis intervention
- Support networks
- Confirm intervention with client
- Intervention features
- Guide and support client
- Drug / alcohol withdrawal
- Negotiation
- Manage issues
- Compliance
- Referrals or emergency assistance
- Self-harm
- Client progress reports
- AOD terminology
- Implement interventions
- Client referrals
Unit 6 - Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
- Client needs and goals
- Complex and multiple needs
- Co-morbidity
- Drug use and psychological illness
- Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)
- Autism
- 3 assessment categories
- AOD assessment tools
- Genograms
- Drug assessment
- Risk assessment checklists
- SMART goals
- Goal setting
- Models and techniques to meet outcomes
- Three counselling models
- Behaviour therapy
- Intervention and support strategies
- Goal recognition
- Negotiation
- Short-term programs
- Long-term programs
- Motivational interviewing
- Cessation of drug use
- Self-help groups
- AOD age relevant treatments
- Indigenous people and AOD
- Developing rapport with clients
- Involving family and carers
- Legal and health issues
- Addictions and overdoses
- Nutrition
- Self-harm
- Mandated treatment
- Counselling competencies
- Advanced therapeutic techniques
- Group facilitations
- Documenting client interventions
- Personal and agency liability
- Case management plans
- Client social and emotional needs
- Sexuality issues
- Socio economic issues
- Isolation, rural and geographical issues
- Grief and loss
- EEO agencies
- Limits and role boundaries
- Client referrals and services
- Monitor client progress
- Client relapse
- Problem-solving techniques
- Supporting client needs
- Family sensitive practices
Unit 7 - Provide services to people with coexisting mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
- Co-existing mental health
- AOD issues
- Dual diagnosis
- Substance abuse
- Alcohol and drug dependence
- Normal and abnormal behaviour
- Behaviours of mental illness
- Drug use and psychological illness
- Service provision and agency programs
- Service delivery models
- Dual diagnosis treatment models
- Treatment phases
- Motivational interventions
- Medication
- The shared care model
- Four-step programs
- Treatment for individual disorders
- Best practice model
- Client assessment
- Impact of AOD and psychological issues
- Physical conditions
- Societal impact
- Readiness for recovery
- Research specialist services
- Effective working relationships
- Recovery plans
- 5 stages of change
- Facilitate further care
- Addressing AOD addiction
- Treatment services
- Eligibility criteria
- Support and referral processes
- Informed consent
- Suicidal ideation
- De-escalation techniques
- Conflict resolution
- Reporting incidents
- Emergency situations
- Response strategies
- Records management
- Communication
- Assessment and self-evaluation
- Achievement of goals
- Advice, supervision and debriefing
- Burnout prevention
- Client risk assessment
- Law and Ethics
Study Hours
Estimated duration 100 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
I was pleased with the course content and the assistance I received when required. Thanks!
D. Berry, British Columbia, Canada | Certificate of Addiction Support – Drugs and Alcohol
It was a wonderful experience to be able to study at my own pace
H. Chee, Ringwood East, VIC | Certificate of Addiction Support – Drugs and Alcohol
I was able to benefit from doing this course in many different topics to better understand the dynamics of addiction and being competent in interacting skills and interventions interviewing know I’m confident I have gained clarity and assertiveness with the knowledge I’ve gained from completing this course
P. Jadidi, Pinkenba, QLD | Certificate of Alcohol and Other Drugs
It was easy to use, course was well worth doing for people who want to know more about drugs.
D. Bridgford, Tuncurry, NSW | Certificate of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Click Add to Cart/View Cart on the course page.
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Counsellor – Alcohol & Drugs
- Drug and Alcohol nurse
- Support Worker
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