HPS325 - Health Psychology (Addiction)
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Richelle Mayshak |
| Previously: | Addiction |
| Prerequisite: | Must have passed 1 credit point at level 2 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 4 x 2 hour online masterclass per trimester |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 4 x 2 hour online masterclass per trimester |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit will provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the major issues associated with addiction and substance use (ASU) more broadly. Specifically, the focus will be on alcohol and tobacco use, gambling, major illicit drugs (e.g. cannabis, heroin, amphetamine type substances, ecstasy, cocaine and other less common drugs). It will include an examination of the causes and risk factors for addiction and other harms associated with ASU, the levels of problems nationally and internationally, theories of addiction, the mechanisms of ASU in the body and brain, specific and general individual focussed treatments for ASU, and effective community and policy strategies for preventing and reducing harm. A major focus of the course will be the comorbid presentation of mental health disorders and substance use and effective screening and treatment of these disorders. The unit has a strong international and multi-disciplinary focus.
Note that assessments will be completed in seminars, therefore students will be expected to attend their assigned seminar regularly.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Articulate accurate knowledge about the properties of drugs, the definitions of addictions and major risk and protective factors. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Clearly identify and critically evaluate the role of mental health problems in substance use disorders, their aetiology, manifestation and treatment. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Accurately identify problematic substance use through the application of screening instruments. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Accurately describe the major components of the assessment of alcohol, drug and gambling issues. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | Explain the use of drug treatment in Victoria, and critically analyse appropriate care pathways for people presenting with a wide array of psychosocial problems. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO6 | Critically appraise and apply theories to major counselling and other treatment modalities (i.e. medications and harm-reduction practises) for addiction-related problems. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
| Assessment description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Case study 1 | 1500 words | 40% |
|
| Assessment 2: Case study 2 | 1500 words | 40% |
|
| Assessment 3: End-of-Unit Assessment | 90 minutes | 20% |
|
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for HPS325 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.