CASAC Home Study/Distance Learning

PHARMACOLOGY OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES
This course provides an overview of the major classes of drugs and their pharmacological & psychological effects on functioning.

OVERVIEW OF ADDICTION
Physiologically, psychologically, and social stages of chemical dependence development are explored and addressed for treatment planning.

MANAGED CARE AND THE AOD COUNSELOR
Students are introduced to the basic concepts underlying the managed care approach to heath care. Application of these concepts to the substance abuse setting include costs, types of treatment, length of stay issues and
appropriate treatment matching.

PHARMACOLOGY OF COCAINE
Provides an overview of cocaine, it’s history, and pharmacological & psychological & social effects on functioning.

PHARMACOLOGY OF ALCOHOL FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS
The physiological and pharmacological aspects of alcohol, psychological/behavioral consequences of alcoholism, including the typology of Jellinek and his disease concept.

HEROIN: PHARMACOLOGY AND NEW TREATMENTS
The physiological and pharmacological aspects, a comprehensive history of use in the U.S. and primary treatment approaches.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR THE AOD COUNSELOR
The basic elements of effective direct and indirect communication between counselor and client building the frame work for successful treatment outcome.

SCREENING, EVALUATION AND INTAKE
This course draws on the global criteria established by the profession in the area of screening and intake to develop the counselor's understanding and skill level in conducting a meaningful screening interview for client intake. Major screening instruments and their application are practiced as well

PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT PLANNING
The importance of developing the client's "story" through interviewing and recording not only data but subjective information from the client is practiced and performed as a homework assignment. Treatment planning follows from the psychosocial assessment done in class to allow for maximum experiential learning among peers.

SPECIAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING SUBSTANCE ABUSERS
Depression/suicide, resistance, a motivational syndrome, criminal justice and aggression. Through case example, discussion and lecture, students learn the warning signs and methods of intervention to these troubled clients.

CASE MANAGEMENT
The overall function of the case manager is explored with the coordination of ancillary services to the treatment program included. Creating an appropriate treatment plan for those in need of healthcare, psychological or educational resources is discussed in small groups and developed for class presentation.

THE COUNSELOR/CLIENT RELATIONSHIP
Based on the OASAS model for training in this area, the curriculum covers areas of boundary setting, professionalism and clinical skills in interpersonal communication. The counselor's orientation and need for self-examination to avoid bias and/or collusion with the client is emphasized.

ASI/DSM IV AS ASSESSMENT TOOLS
The simplification of these instruments for use in assessing and diagnosing chemical dependence clients is provided in order to promote the use of standardized, valid measurements of the intensity of drug use and the need for treatment referral.

UNDERSTANDING GROUP PROCESS
The initial composition of a group, it's importance in substance abuse treatment and the development of sound clinical approaches to the stages of group development.

STARTING AND LEADING A GROUP
This course is taken subsequent to the preceding class on Understanding Group Process. Experiential training in selecting group members, introducing the group and facilitating its process is basic to learning in this course.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS IN AOD TREATMENT
Covers a broad spectrum of alternative interventions including Pharmacotherapy , art therapy, aroma therapy and herbal remedies.

RELAPSE PREVENTION
Three models of relapse prevention training are studied: Marlatt, Gorski, and RPST. Experiential exercises and case studies are provided.

FAMILY AND COLLATERAL COUNSELING
The facilitation of basic knowledge regarding chemical dependence, as well as appropriate interactions between counselors, clients and families are experienced through role play and case study.

STAGES OF RECOVERY
The significance of identifying stages of recovery for assessment, counseling and treatment planning purposes is emphasized. Participants learn to relate the inverse process of recovery to the progressive aspects of the dependency.

THE ADDICTED FAMILY SYSTEM
Basic concepts of family systems theory and its application to the addicted family in terms of structure, roles and interrelationship among family members are covered.

WORKING WITH ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS (ACOAs)
The similar characteristics and problems of ACOAs and how to facilitate unique and individual sessions and groups within this population.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATIONAL REHABILITATION
This course follows the OASAS outline for preparing counselors to understand the components of assessment, preparation and referral in the vocational/educational work being done in current treatment programs.

RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS
An overview of the history and development of residential treatment programs from therapeutic communities to current treatment approaches for residential counselors.

INPATIENT AND DETOXIFICATION
The protocols and treatment environment of the medically managed inpatient and detoxification modality is described and discussed.

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY BASED INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
Understanding the special needs and qualities of working outside a treatment agency with young addicted or at-risk persons is explored. Special interventions in terms of outreach and group-oriented activities
are provided through role play and discussion.

SELF-HELP
A historical overview of the self-help movement, present day functioning and use of self-help and other recovery options as support systems to maintaining a drug and alcohol free life style.

PREVENTION TECHNIQUES IN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
An understanding of and an increased efficacy in prevention strategies
are targeted as the outcome of this class; more precise assessments in
the intervention phase of prevention work will be practiced.

PSYCHOTHERAPIES: THEORIES AND TECHNIQUES
The most prominent theories of personality and theoretical practices in the context of substance abuse treatment with emphasis placed on cognitive/behavioral theories and Rogerian/Eriksonian approaches.

MEDICALLY SUPERVISED PROGRAMS: MMTP & DRUG FREE AMBULATORY
Structure, functioning, rationale, assessment and medical aspects of Methadone Maintenance Treatment & Drug Free Outpatient programs.

DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY EDUCATION
Provides counselors with the capability to design and implement a qualitative educational presentation on some aspect of chemical dependency. In class presentations provide for immediate feedback from classmates as well as the development of a bank of information to draw on in the field.

STD's, TB & OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
The differences in the etiology, transmission and prevention of TB, STDs and other communicable diseases (includes Hepatitis).

MEDICAL ASPECTS OF HIV/AIDS
Provides an updated overview of the latest information regarding this disease, including current treatments, prevalence rates and prevention efforts.

COUNSELING ISSUES FOR HIV/AIDS
The relationship between stages of the illness and treatment planning for recovery from substance abuse, utilizing relapse prevention skills at any stage with this client population is emphasized. Practice in discussing the very personal as well as general issues is effected through class experiential exercises.

DEATH, DYING AND BEREAVEMENT
Participants will become aware of their own attitudes and perceptions of death and dying, enhancing their sensitivity to dying clients and those grieving for lost loved ones. Familiarity with the Kubler-Ross model and its utilization in counseling strategies to facilitate acceptance and positive functioning on the part of the client are stressed.

ETHICS FOR THE AOD COUNSELOR
Participants achieve an overall understanding of the development and use of ethical standards with specific reference to alcoholism and substance abuse treatment. Relationship of ethical standards to professionalism is clarified as are the CASAC Ethical Standards required in credentialing.

ANGER MANAGEMENT
Assisting our clients in the understanding and management of anger is effected through counselor self-awareness and knowledge. Identification of signs, verbal and physical, are provided and strategies for management are learned through role play and case study.

ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Participants will gain knowledge and understanding of the developmental stages of adolescence and how substance abuse and dependency impact adolescent development. Identification of at risk behaviors specific to adolescence and skills for assessment and intervention will be developed

ISSUES OF GENDER & SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN AOD TREATMENT
Models of treatment which enhance or decrease effectiveness of treatment based on gender issues are explored. Counselors are urged to become aware of their own biases and attitudes relative to treating men and women, as well as in treating individuals with same sex preferences. Role play is integral to learning in this course.

Overview of Tobacco
Tobacco use kills approximately 440,000 Americans each year, with one in every five U.S. deaths the result of smoking. Smoking harms early every organ in the body, causes many diseases, and compromises smokers' health in general.