Description

Virtually every American is somehow affected by substance abuse which has been on the rise for many years. The demand for Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDC's) in criminal justice agencies, schools, medical facilities, social welfare programs and private practice is urgent. LCDC's are the only professionals legally permitted to offer conseling services without a Master's Degree.

To help the rapidly growing need for LCDC's, UNT's Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work, & Addictions has introduced two new programs: an 18-hour Minor in Addictions that prepares students for this challenging and rewarding field, and a 12-hour Certificate in Substance Abuse Treatment program for those professionals already working in related fields who want to upgrade their skills.

Both are administered by Dr. Jim Quinn, Program Director for Addictions Studies and Professor in the department.

Minor in Addictions

An Addictions minor complements degrees in anthropology, criminal justice, education, the humanities, psychology, rehabilitation, sociology, social work, and other social sciences. The 18-hour minor in Substance Abuse and Addictions at the University of North Texas consists of 12 hours of required courses and six (6) hours of elective courses. All 18 college credit hours can apply to any Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree from UNT.

Addictions Studies Required Courses (15 hours)

RHAB 3050: Drugs & Alcohol

Addresses the physical, social, emotional, psychological, family, and spiritual issues of substance abuse. The course surveys social impact and recovery issues.

RHAB 4050: Assessment of Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency

Explores the tools and dynamics of assessing chemical dependency, the placement and referral of these clients, and treatment planning. Students learn to systematically gather data from clients and other sources; to use psycho-social instruments that are sensitive to age, gender and culture; and to apply accepted criteria in diagnosing substance abuse disorders and making treatment recommendations.

RHAB 4125: Addiction and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Counseling Models

Models of alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) counseling provides students with a broad overview of intervention and counseling strategies utilized by rehabilitation programs serving persons with substance abuse disorders. Course focuses on service delivery systems and AODA counseling theory. May be taken as partial preparation for the AODA counselor licensure examination.

RHAB 4150: Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Counseling Practice

Practice of alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) counselilng focuses on familiarizing students with the core competencies necessary for effective interventions within addiction treatment settings and prepares them to apply these skills in AODA counseling practice. May be taken as partial preparation for the AODA counselor licensure examination.

RHAB 4250: Addiction Counseling and Groups

Principles and practice for the most common form of addictions treatment offered today. Explores methods of dealling with substance abuse issues in a group and offers opportunities to apply skills in a classroom setting.

Minor in Addictions Elective Courses (3 hours). Select one three-hour course from any of the following:

RHAB 3250:

This course examines the relationship of substance abuse and addiction to individual functioning and emotions, social values, criminality, stress, and family organization. It also applies the bio-psycho-social disease model of addiction to behavioral compulsions such as sex, eating, violence and gambling before reviewing methods of treating and preventing addiction from this perspective.

RHAB 4350: Current Issues in Substance Abuse

Current issues in chemical dependency are explored using various types of research reports and other professional literature. These sources are used to help students understand the role of research in developing programs, formulating policies and evaluating one's practices. Students become critical consumers of professional literature as they develop specialized expertise on specific problems, groups or practices used in treating addictions and substance abuse.

RHAB 4450: Substance Abuse, Addictions and Rehabilitation

Examines the biological, psychological, and systemic nature of substance abuse and addictions, their overlap with other mental and physical disabilities and relationship to the process of rehabilitation.

The Office of Student Services located in Chilton Hall's College of Public Affairs & Community Service (PACS) assists students with degree planning.

Certificate in Substance Abuse Treatment

The Certificate in Substance Abuse Treatment is designed for busy professionals already working in the field who want to upgrade their skills. The Certificate can be obtained in just 12 hours by successfully completing the following courses (see descriptions above): RHAB 3050, 4050, 4125 & 4150.

Licensure

All licensure issues for Substance Abuse and Chemical Dependency should be directed to Texas Department of State Health Services.

Resources

Texas Department of State Health Services

 

 

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