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PSMX 416 - Applied Theory of Addiction and Co-existing Disorders

Convenors

• Dr Simon Adamson

Eligibility

Offered on a national basis, this paper is aimed at those working in the addiction and broader mental health fields, whether in treatment, policy, health promotion, prevention or other areas.

It is a companion paper to the clinical skills based alcohol and drug papers offered by the National Addiction Centre: one focused on comprehensive assessment and management planning (PSMX 404), one on clinical case management and interventions (PSMX 422) and the third on pharmacotherapy (PSMX 424).

Content

PSMX 416 has a primary focus on the use and misuse of alcohol and other drugs. However, the context is broadened to encompass a range of addictions and addictive behaviour, including consideration of gambling as well as co-existing disorders. The biological, psychological and socio-cultural aspects of addiction and addictive behaviours will be covered, along with implications for current interventions and future developments in treatment.

This paper is clinically focused. However, students will be required to critically read a broad range of relevant literature and synthesise ideas from a variety of theoretical positions. This will involve exploration of current debates (e.g. strictly abstinence versus harm reduction paradigms) and provide the basis for application of knowledge in practical settings. Students must therefore have the ability to access, evaluate and synthesise scientific literature.

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Teaching Arrangements

The course is taught as a combination of a block course, audioconferences and case-based email discussions. The three-day block course will be in July (9am - 5pm each day) in Christchurch and will be preceded by two audioconferences and followed by weekly audioconferences for the remainder of the semester. In the past, these have been at 4pm on Wednesdays. Email discussion of four cases will be used throughout the course to facilitate application of course content.

Assessment

The assessment process is currently under review. However it is likely that it will be along the lines of:

Enquiries to Dr Simon Adamson, National Addiction Centre, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, P O Box 4345, Christchurch, Tel (03) 364 0480, Fax (03) 364 1225, Email simon.adamson@otago.ac.nz, website www.addiction.org.nz

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