Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction Care

Purpose

South Africa has alarmingly high rates of addiction, with a profound impact on society and also a very poorly skilled work force. With improved neuro-imaging and psycho-biological research, it has become clear that addictions are not merely social problems; they are biological disorders, with strong genetic underpinnings, characteristic brain changes and complex environmental, social and individual determinants. The qualification aims to equip Addiction Care Practitioners with comprehensive knowledge, holistic skills and appropriate values to provide evidence based and effective treatment to clients with addictions.

Rationale

Dealing with problems before they become chronic can be more effective. A system dedicated to supporting individuals, families and the community to overcome addiction through both prevention and treatment is vital in South Africa. Despite the high burden of substance disorders in South Africa, our workforce in this field needs skills and experience of knowledge of evidence-based best practice. The rationale is to train well rounded Addiction Care Practitioners with comprehensive knowledge, holistic skills and appropriate values to provide evidence-based and effective treatment to clients with substance use disorders.

Learners are expected to be able to read and critically evaluate academic texts in English and communicate information and their own ideas orally and in written text at NQF Level 7.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning is applied in accordance with the rules and practices of the university. The Faculty has a detailed procedure that will be followed - an interview based on a review of a specially written essay or existing reports that show how and on what level the candidate approaches relevant problems. Thus, Recognition of Prior Learning will be used to assist learners who do not meet the admission to access the qualification.

Access to the Qualification

• A Bachelor's Degree.
• Appropriate professional registration in a field relevant to health or social welfare, including social work, medicine, nursing, counselling, psychology or occupational therapy.
• Should have at least two or more years of professional experience.

The qualification consists of eight Core modules and one Elective module - chosen from a list of three given areas of study.

Core Modules

• Understanding substance use disorders, 12 Credits.
• Assessment of substance use disorders, 12 Credits.
• Co-morbidity and substance use disorders, 18 Credits.
• Introduction to psychology, 12 Credits.
• Evidence based treatment for substance use disorders, 36 Credits.
• Case management and service monitoring in substance use disorders, 6 Credits.
• Families and addiction, 6 Credits.
• Legal, ethical and professional issues and addictions, 6 Credits.

Total Credits for the Core modules: 108.

Elective Modules (Choose one)

• Children and adolescents with substance use disorders, 12 Credits.
• Dual disorders, 12 Credits.
• Psychopharmacology of addiction, 12 Credits.

Total Credits for the Elective modules: 12.

Total Credits for the qualification: 120.

1. Demonstrate the ability to conduct a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment in a patient with a substance use disorder.
2. Show proficiency in case management.

• Range of case management includes but is not limited to: Drawing up a holistic, comprehensive treatment plan that may include harm reduction measures and ongoing monitoring and motivational involvement.

1. Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment and formulate a risk management plan for individuals with substance use disorder.
2. Deliver complementary evidence-based interventions for addictions.

• Range of interventions includes but is not limited to: like-motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy and 12-step facilitation.

1. Assess a family with a member(s) with substance disorder/s and provide holistic management of the situation.

• Range of holistic management includes, but is not limited to: Compiling an appropriate treatment plan for the family, providing information and support to families with addictions, indentify and managing individuals at risk from the family's perspective and undertaking basic family counselling.

1. Apply theoretical knowledge of psychology to clinical cases.
2. Debate ethical issues relevant to the treatment of patients with addictive disorders.
3. Discuss service development relevant to the field of addiction treatment and educate patients and families about the organic nature of addiction.

Or

1. Perform a comprehensive assessment on a child or adolescent with a substance use disorder and compile an appropriate treatment plan.

Or

1. Compile and carry out a comprehensive care plan for a client with a dual diagnosis.

• Range of the care plan includes, but is not limited to: Full assessment of the client, a suitable treatment plan, performance of evidence based treatment interventions which are suitably adjusted for the severe and enduring mentally ill.

Or

1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of psychopharmacology relevant to the treatment of addictive disorders.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the critical cross-field outcomes are addressed in this qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify the different types of substance use disorders and clinical issues relevant to different types of drugs abused.
• Advocate rights and services where needs are identified for patients.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Describe the theory related to the case management of clients with substance use disorders.
• Explain the methods of measuring treatment success and service quality in addiction treatment programmes.
• Report on the measurement of success and service quality in substance use treatment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Describe basic signs and symptoms of major psychiatric disorders and medical disorders, including HIV/AIDS, commonly associated with substance abuse and give a broad overview of how these disorders are managed.
• Identify the different personality traits and disorders usually associated with substance use disorder.
• Discuss the impact of trauma on individuals and their association with substance abuse.
• Explain how co-morbid psychiatric disorders impact on treatment programmes for substance use disorder.

Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Explain in depth the use of motivational psychology in the treatment of addictions.
• Apply the theoretic aspect of cognitive behavioural psychology for addictions.
• Explain the uses of the 12-step facilitation and the Minnesota model of addiction treatment.
• Apply the methods of screening for substance disorders and carry out brief interventions.
• Explain the use of other interventions relevant to the treatment of addiction.

> Range of interventions includes, but is not limited to: Life Skills/aftercare, Self-help/peer led approaches/therapeutic communities and office-based treatment such as network therapy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify the role of the family with regard to the addicted adolescent or child.
• Explain the role substance disorders play in intimate partner relationships, including domestic violence.
• Explain women-specific issues relevant to addictions, including pregnancy and child rearing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Explain the relevant concepts, principles and theories of psychology.
• Explain the theories of psychotherapy relevant to addiction, crises intervention, group facilitation, family systems, and other areas of psychology relevant to working in the field of addiction.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Explain relevant legal aspects pertaining to addictions.
• Explain the fundamentals of ethics, including the Ethics of Addiction Care.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Explain the relevant neuro-anatomy, physiology, bio-behavioural factors, pharmacology of different drugs of abuse and genetics, pertaining to addictions.
• Explain the epidemiology of addictions and the socio-cultural reasons for addictions and barriers to treatment.
• Describe public health approaches to addictions, including evidence-based community prevention interventions for addiction.
• Identify and discuss cross-addictions including the addictive behavioural syndromes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Explain the developmental perspective of addictive behaviour in children and adolescents and the difference between normative and pathological behaviour.
• Describe how to adjust an assessment and treatment plan when working with children and adolescents with substance use disorder.
• Describe the presence and appropriate management of common co-morbid conditions in children and adolescents.
• Outline the principles of prevention of substance use disorder in children and adolescents.

Or

Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Explain the epidemiology of dual diagnosis.
• Explain how to adjust the assessment process for clients with dual disorder.
• Describe how treatment is modified for clients with dual disorders.

Or

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

• Select suitable candidates for psychopharmacology.
• Provide selected candidate with relevant information about the use of medications and their possible side-effects and contra-indications.
• Monitor patients' response to medication, including possible side-effects.
• Suggest adjustments to dosage regimes where indicated.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment in the programme and its constituting modules is aligned with the University's Assessment Policy. The mode of delivery will be by means of a blended approach, involving face-to-face contact learning, independent study, group activities and work based learning.

The assessment process will include formative assessment, including case presentations, supervision, logbooks and feedback for supervisors at clinical placements.

Summative assessments will include assignments and projects, case studies and written/computer based examinations.

Experiential learning will be assessed though case presentations, supervision, logbooks and feedback from supervisors at clinical placements. Feedback will be expected back within 2 weeks of each placement.