Understanding Addiction (FutureLearn)

However, responses and attitudes to addiction are changing and leading to more effective treatments, thanks to the advancement of science.
On this six-week course, you’ll discover how an understanding of the complex science of addiction can improve a patient’s quality of care.
You’ll identify the dominant models and theories of addiction and explore how they can impact intervention responses and treatment of a patient.
Guided by the experts at CQUniversity School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Sciences, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of addiction as a disease to help you provide better and more effective care for your patients.

Understand the scientific theory of addiction
You’ll learn to describe the key components of a good scientific theory, to determine the best models to follow to develop effective treatment responses.
With an understanding of the science of drug and alcohol addiction, you’ll also explore its societal and cultural impacts. This appreciation of the effects of addiction will help you identify routes to help reduce the toll on individuals, families, and society.

Explore addiction treatment as a healthcare professional
Once you have outlined the different models of addiction, you’ll identify how these can inform both prevention and treatment interventions.
You’ll also explore psychopathology in the context of addiction, to understand how it can be studied as a mental disorder to provide more bespoke treatment.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of your role as a health professional and how to improve the quality of care for your patients with addiction.

What topics will you cover?

• Types of licit and Illicit drugs
• Impacts of addiction
• Models of addiction
• Harm reduction strategies

Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

• Identify the key components of substance addiction
• Describe the key components of a good scientific theory
• Outline the different models of addiction and how these may inform prevention and treatment interventions.

Who is the course for?
This course was designed for anyone working in healthcare who may have to interact with patients who have addictions. It is relevant for anyone working in drug and alcohol rehabilitation, social workers, counsellors and community volunteers.
Whilst not specifically aimed at those looking to support or address their own addiction concerns or those of family/friends, this course should still be accessible andenlightening for general interest learners.