I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

Prerequisites: Completion of the Foundation year or instructor permission. This course examines the incidence and etiology of chemical dependence and its impact on individuals, families, and society. The course also addresses pharmacological properties and physiological, psychosocial, and cultural aspects of psychoactive substance use, assessment, classification of substance use disorders, and models of interventions and treatment. II. PURPOSE OF THE COURSE This course is intended to provide students with relevant information regarding substance abuse and addiction and intervention concepts and roles useful for social work practice related to alcohol and drug problems. Failure to identify alcohol and drug issues leads to incorrect problem analysis and inappropriate interventions with individuals, families, and communities. California's LCSW licensure standards require training in alcohol and drug addiction. The Council on Social Work Education is strongly supporting this curriculum in both undergraduate and graduate programs. The purpose is to meet the need in our region for social work practitioners who ar