Diploma in Addiction Studies

The module in addiction studies gives a comprehensive overview of current thinking and practice in the area of addictive behaviours and substance use/abuse. It focuses on the historical evolution of the various conceptualisations of addiction, the underlying causes attributed to the development and maintenance of addictive behaviours, models for understanding patterns of addiction and the treatments of addiction associated with those models. It further addresses the impact of addictive behaviours on society in terms of health, culture and criminality, paying particular attention to the Irish context.

The module would be of interest to practitioners in a wide variety of disciplines (Psychology, Social Care, etc.) who may wish to deepen their knowledge of current thinking in addiction studies, to those who may be considering future study in the area of addictive behaviours and wish to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the area, and indeed, anyone who wishes to learn more about this pervasive and disabling condition.

Outline

• Week 1: Meaning and Nature. Multiple conceptions of addiction in current practice, reflecting more than substance-related issues. Addiction and Psychiatry.
• Week 2: Current neuro-biological, psychological, sociological and cultural understanding of the causes of addiction. Overview of different theoretical positions in conceptualising addiction (i.e. Medical, Religious, Psychological etc.)
• Week 3: Focus on disease models of addiction.
• Week 4: Understanding addiction from a psychoanalytic perspective
• Week 5: The bio-psycho-social model
• Week 6: Overview of treatments of addiction: Psychotherapeutic, Pharmacological, etc.
• Week 7: Focus on conditioning models of treatment: Behaviourism, contingency management; cognitive-
  behavioural models of treatment: Self –regulation, relapse prevention; Emotion-regulation and mindfulness-based models of treatment
• Week 8: Stages of change in the treatment of Addiction
• Week 9: Addictive behaviours from the perspective of family systems theory.
• Week 10: Impact of addictive behaviours on society: health, culture and criminality – the Irish context.