HPS325 - Addiction

Unit details

Note: You are seeing the 2022 view of this unit information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year:

2022 unit information

Important Update:

Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates.

Last updated: 4 March 2022

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Mariel Messer
Prerequisite:

Must have passed 1 credit point at level 2

Corequisite:

Nil

Incompatible with:

Nil

Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

Scheduled learning activities - campus:

4 x 2 hour masterclass (online) per trimester
1 x 2 hour seminar (campus) per week

Scheduled learning activities - cloud:

4 x 2 hour masterclass (online) per trimester
1 x 2 hour seminar (online) per week

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.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
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
GLO2: Communication

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
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO3

Accurately identify problematic substance use through the application of screening instruments.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO4

Accurately describe the major components of the assessment of alcohol, drug and gambling issues.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

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
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking

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
GLO5: Problem solving

Assessment

Trimester 1:
Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Case study 1 700 words

20%

  • Week 6
Assessment 2: Case study 2 700 words

40%

  • Week 10
Assessment 3: Online scheduled examination 90 minutes 40%
  • Examination period

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 the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: HPS325 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

Click on the fee link below which describes you: