Days/Times: Chat sessions Wednesdays, 5:00pm-6:15pm OR Saturdays 9:00am-10:15am.
Instructor: Susan Pelowski, Ph.D.
WebPage & E-Mail Address: http://socrates.uhwo.hawaii.edu/socialsci/spelowsk/
                                                      spelowsk@hawaii.edu
Text/Readings: Doweiko, H. (2001). Concepts of Chemical Dependency.  5th Edition.
                             Additional readings are listed in the syllabus, & will be available online or
                             at your University Center/Library.
Office Hours:    On campus - Thursdays, 10:30-12:00 or by appointment; online or phone appointments also available.

Telephone:        (808) 454-4721 or (808) 262-2226 (no calls after 8:30pm, please)

REQUIREMENT 1 -- INTERNET ACCOUNT

If you do not already have an INTERNET ACCOUNT, you must subscribe to an internet service provider. The university provides accounts free of charge, but you will experience intolerable delays during peak hours of use. Therefore, you must subscribe to another INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP). The average charge is usually about $15 - 20 per month. Check out http://www2.hawaii.edu/~henc/D-up1.html for special prices for UH students. In my experience, the best connections are available through Oceanic Cable's Roadrunner Service. Remember, the course will be conducted entirely online. Therefore, it is important to have a reliable ISP.

REQUIREMENT 2 -- WEBCT ACCOUNT Version 3

Our virtual classroom environment is provided by WebCT, a commercial program managed by the University of Hawai'i Information Technology Service (ITS). Through WebCT, you will access online class lessons, the chat space we use for our weekly online interaction, the class bulletin board where we post papers and announcements, and the private mail function.  Once you are registered for Psy 406, go to http://webct.hawaii.edu/ .  You can use your UH login and password to enter WebCT.  Psy 406 should be on your WebCT account.

REQUIREMENT 3 -- YOUR HARDWARE SET-UP

You will need a PC or Mac (PERSONAL COMPUTER - PENTIUM CLASS IS RECOMMENDED) WITH A 28.8 OR GREATER MODEM CONNECTION. Warning -- PC's work better than MAC's with our software configuration.

You will require 10 MEGABYTES OF FREE SPACE on your hard drive, and at least 32 MEGABYTES OF RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM). Your computer must also have a SOUND CARD AND SPEAKERS

If you do not have this minimal configuration at home, plan on using campus facilities.

REQUIREMENT 4 -- YOUR SOFTWARE SET-UP

You will need communication software. To access the World Wide Web, you will need software called TCP-IC,as well as a WEB BROWSER.  In general, Internet Explorer 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 work with WebCT, along with Netscape 6.2, 7.0, and 7.1.

Do NOT attempt to use the America Online (AOL) browser or the Compuserve browser, as these do not work well with WebCT – logon with the AOL or Compuserve browser, then minimize it and open Netscape or IE.

You will be posting papers as attachments to the WebCT Bulletin Board. Microsoft Word is highly recommended.  You may have problems if you attempt to post papers saved as Microsoft Works files.  If in doubt, save your file as text with line breaks, and post that way.

Lessons will be presented with a technology called STREAMING MEDIA that includes audio as well as visual material. In order to receive streaming media, you need a program called REALPLAYER. This is available free of charge from RealNetworks at http://www.real.com/    Be careful to click on the free version of the program (there is a more advanced "plus" version, but at a cost).

The course involves the following components:

• RealPlayer Lessons (1-2 per week, orientation lesson the first week). Lessons are usually broken into 2-4 segments, about 30 minutes in length.
• Weekly readings.
• A posting introducing yourself to the class, and a response to a classmate's posting.
• Eight online chat sessions (Wednesday OR Saturday; you need attend only one chat session per week & there are no chats on weeks of in-person visits ). I will ask you to choose your usual chat time after the semester begins, so that we have a balanced number of participants across sessions.
• Two in-person sessions with the instructor (see schedule below for dates at each island).
• Two multiple choice exams, administered online.
• Attendance at one 12-Step meeting (NA, AA, Alanon, or Alateen) and a 1-2 page reaction paper to the meeting, posted to the WebCT Bulletin Board.
• Substance Use Assessment & Case Write-Up. You may do this individually or in small groups of up to, but no more than, three (this is to insure that each person can participate meaningfully in the assessment).
• A posted response to AT LEAST one classmate's 12-Step paper, and a posted response to AT LEAST one other case write-up.  This simply involves hitting "reply" to his/her posted document on the bulletin board, and writing a brief but thoughtful reaction to the work.

Human beings have used psychoactive substances since the beginning of recorded history. As with any human activity, there is the potential for overindulgence - use may escalate to abuse or dependence. Chemical abuse is widespread. For example, recent estimates suggest that 14% of American adults will, at some point in their lives, meet criteria for Alcohol Abuse or Dependence. This figure does not include those who abuse or become addicted to other chemicals. Most of us will be personally touched by the problem of substance abuse at some point, whether it occurs in ourselves, in a friend or family member, in a co-worker, or in a stranger whose behaviors "under the influence" threaten our own well-being. Anyone who plans to become involved in a helping profession, (e.g., clinicians, educators) will confront substance-related problems.

This course is designed to familiarize you with the major theories and methods currently employed in the assessment and treatment of substance abuse and addiction, and to introduce the basic knowledge, skills, and attitudes important in performing the core functions of the substance abuse counselor. Controversies in the field will be discussed. The course is intended as an introduction for those who plan to specialize in treating chemical abuse and dependency, and for those who will encounter addictive behaviors in the course of dealing with other psychosocial problems.

Although any substance or activity may become the focus of addictive behavior (e.g., food, gambling, aspirin), this course will focus on psychoactive substances; i.e., chemicals that alter mood or perception via direct action on the central nervous system. While coursework in addiction is not a prerequisite for this course, it is beneficial.  Prior coursework in abnormal psychology, human development, or counseling is also beneficial.

UH West O`ahu has a set of learning objectives each student is expected to meet by graduation; the entire list may be accessed at http://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/catalog/mission.pdf.

The courses you take in pursuit of your degree address different institutional learning objectives, and in addition usually have objectives specific to the content of that course. I have four course-specific learning objectives in Psy 406. By the end of the course, I want you to

• Be familiar with major methods of assessing & treating substance-related disorders, & with the theoretical assumptions that guide these methods.

• Be able to critically evaluate current theories & clinical methods in terms of advantages/limitations, empirical support, & applicability to various client populations.

• Have gained practice in assessment, case conceptualization, case write-up, & case presentation skills.

• Have some exposure to treatment programs, addictions professionals, self-help programs, & other substance-related services in our community.

In meeting these objectives, you will hopefully increase your skills in four of the six areas addressed by the UHWO Learning Objectives: oral communication, written communication, cross-cultural awareness, and the use of qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate theories and solve psychosocial problems.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADE BREAKDOWN

• One Posted Introduction/Response, worth                                                          2 points
• Participation in 8 chat sessions, worth 1 point each, for a total of                   8 points
• Attendance/participation in 2 in-person sessions, worth 5 points each        10 points
• Two multiple choice exams, worth 50 points each, for a total of                  100 points
• One 12-Step Group Visit & 1-2 page Reaction Paper, worth                        10 points
• One posted response to a classmate's 12-Step paper, worth                         2 points
• One case assessment & write-up, worth                                                           50 points
• One posted response to a classmate's case write-up, worth                           3 points

    TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS:                                                                                185                                                                                 

   GRADE BREAKDOWN:    A = 166 - 185,    B =  148 - 165,    C = 129 - 147
                                                     D = 111 - 128,   F = < 111.

     I do not round up for half points.

 

WEEK of	ACTIVITIES
8/23	COURSE ORIENTATION Orientation Lesson - Posted in WebCT calendar Chat: No chat this week. Readings: Text Ch. 1
8/30	DEFINING THE PROBLEM Lesson 1: Defining the Problem & Overview of the Twelve Core Functions Chat 1: 9/1 or 9/4 Readings: Text Ch. 2 & 3 Posted Intro/Response Due to Main Bulletin Board, 9/3
9/6	DEFINING THE PROBLEM, CONT'D. Lesson 2: Major Models & Perspectives Chat 2: 9/8 or 9/11                                                                                 Readings: Text Ch.4 & 5; Donovan & Marlatt 1988
9/13	ASSESSMENT Lesson 3: Assessment Functions, Purposes & Methods           NO CHAT: Kauai Visit on Saturday, 9/18, 10am to 1pm. Kauai Students - Please review diagnostic criteria for substance abuse & dependence & guidelines for case assessment prior to session. Oahu Session - UHWO, TBA                                                            Readings: Text Ch. 26
9/20	ASSESSMENT, CONT'D. Lesson 4: Assessment of Problem Severity  (note - the majority of the material on problem severity is covered in your first in-person session)                                             NO CHAT: Maui Visit Saturday, 9/25, 10am to 1pm. Maui Visit - University Center, Saturday 10am to 1pm. Maui Students - Please review diagnostic criteria for substance abuse & dependence & guidelines for case assessment prior to session. Oahu Session - UHWO, TBA
9/27	ASSESSMENT, CONT'D. Lesson 5-1: Assessing Motivation for Change                   Chat: NO CHAT; Kona Visit on Saturday, 10/2, 10am to 1pm.                  Kona Visit - West Hawai'i University Center. W. Hawai'i students: Please review diagnostic criteria for substance abuse & dependence & guidelines for case assessment prior to session. Readings: Prochaska & DiClemente 1988
10/4	ASSESSMENT, CONT'D. Lesson 5-2: Assessment for Treatment Planning                                            Chat 3: 10/6 or 10/9. Readings:  Marlatt & Gordon 1988
10/11	EXAM 1 - Check WebCT Bulletin Board on Exams for instructions on online exams & on review sheet. Exam will cover Lessons 1-5 & associated readings. Complete exam by 10/15, midnight. ASSESSMENT, CONT'D. Lesson 6: Issues in Assessing Abuse of Specific Substances                               Chat 4: 10/13 or 10/16.                                                                                            Readings: Text Ch. 7, 8, 11, 14 (pp. 172-182)
10/18	ASSESSMENT, CONT'D: Finishing up Lesson 6: Special Issues in Assessing Alcohol, Methamphetamine, Heroin, & Club Drug Use                                     NO CHAT: Kauai Visit. Kauai University Center, Saturday, 10/23, 10am-1pm. Kauai Students - Please be prepared to briefly present & discuss your assessment case. See Case Assessment Bulletin Board for guidelines.                                                                        Oahu Session - UHWO, TBA Readings:  TBA
10/25	TREATMENT                                                                                                               Lesson 7: Overview of Treatment Issues & Twelve Step Approaches NO CHAT: Maui Visit. Maui University Center, Saturday, 10/30, 10am-1pm. Maui Students - Please be prepared to briefly present & discuss your assessment case. See Case Assessment Bulletin Board for guidelines.                                                                            12 Step Reaction Paper Due to Reaction Paper Bulletin Board,10/29 Readings:   Text Ch. 28, 29, & 34;  Handouts on the 12 Traditions, 12 Steps, Big Book Preface
11/1	TREATMENT, CONT'D. Lesson 8 on Behavioral & Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques, Cont'd.           NO CHAT: KONA VISIT. West Hawai'i University Center, Saturday, 11/6, 10am-1pm. W. Hawai'i Students - Please be prepared to briefly present & discuss your assessment case. See Case Assessment Bulletin Board for guidelines.    Posted Response to Classmate's 12-Step Paper Due to Reaction Paper Bulletin Board, 11/5                                                                                                             Readings: Hester & Miller '89
11/8	TREATMENT, CONT'D. Lesson 8 on Behavioral & Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques, Cont'd. Chat 5: 11/10 or 11/13
11/15	TREATMENT, CONT'D. Lesson 9: Motivational Enhancement Therapy Chat 6: 11/17 or 11/20                                                                                              Case Write-Up Due to Case Write-Up Bulletin Board, 11/20                       Readings: Miller, 1989; Text Ch. 27
11/22	TREATMENT, CONT'D. Lesson 10: Residential Models       Chat: No Chat due to Thanksgiving Holiday. Readings:  Text Ch. 23
11/29	TREATMENT, CONT'D.                                                                                                          Lesson 11: Working with Couples & Families Readings:  Text Ch. 24 & 25 Chat 7: 12/1 or 12/4 Response to Classmate's Case Write-Up Due to Case-Write-Up Bulletin Board, 12/4
12/6	PROFESSIONAL & ETHICAL ISSUES IN ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT Lesson 12: Professional/Ethical Issues Readings:  TBA Chat 8: 12/8 or 12/11 - Exam Review
12/13	EXAM II - - Check WebCT Bulletin Board on Exams for instructions on online access & for review sheet. Exam will cover Lessons 7-13 & associated readings. Finish by 5/15, midnight.