SW5201

Rates of substance use, mental illness, and co-occurring disorders are on the rise and constitute a public health crisis. The time to act is now. However, effective prevention and treatment requires a deep and accurate understanding of substance use past and present. This course develops students’ understanding of substance use and co-occurring disorders (COD) from a bio-psycho-sociocultural perspective. Attention is given to individual differences, diversity, and cultural aspects of substance use and disorders across the lifespan. Individual, family, and community risk factors and protective factors, including early attachment, ACES, chronic stress, and trauma are viewed through the ecological lens. This course highlights the unique challenges and needs of higher-risk groups including adolescents, older adults, LGBTQIA+, impoverished, oppressed, and marginalized populations. Students explore their unique role as Social Workers and Mental Health Practitioners in dismantling racist and discriminatory policy and treatment practices and enhancing equitable, effective, and culturally and developmentally responsive substance use and COD care.

013396

Every Fall, Spring & Summer