Introduction

Many countries spend millions of dollars for dealing with the drug menace, called substance use disorder. Drug abuse remain a major concern for developed and developing countries who require trained professionals to deal with both Demand and supply reduction programs. There is a huge requirement of trained personnel, especially counselors and therapists in the field of treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by substance use disorder all over the world. Countries are also realizing the need for prevention experts and early intervention specialists, and there is growing job opportunities in this field, especially in developed countries.

Substance use disorder  is a major mental health issue in the world which claims millions of deaths annually and cause several health related ailments. Some 35.6 million people suffer from drug use disorders globally, according to the World Drug Report 2020 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Globally, more than 3 million people die of alcohol use every year and nearly 8 million die from tobacco related ailments. According to the UNODC report, published on June 26, 2020, India is one of the major hubs of illicit drug trade.

However, there are not much awareness about these diseases nor enough mental health professionals who are equipped to deal with substance use disorder. The existing syllabus in psychology studies do not have adequate sessions on addiction management. Addiction Management requires special skills to deal with the complexity and acute denial associated with the disease and the lack of social support in dealing with treatment and rehabilitation of substance use disorders.

 

Training goals:

• To provide participants with an understanding of the physiology of addiction as a brain disease;

• To provide participants with information about the pharmacology of psychoactive substances.

• To provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the nature of change;  „

• To provide participants with an understanding of the process and elements of treatment for SUDs.

• To provide an overview of commonly co-occurring mental and medical disorders;

• To provide an overview of treatment models and principles for co-occurring disorders

• To provide an opportunity for participants to learn and practice basic skills they will need in all settings and models of treatment;

• To teach and provide an opportunity for participants to practice basic group counseling skills.

• To introduce participants to ways to implement recovery concepts in screening, assessment, and treatment planning;

• To familiarize participants with the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST);

• To provide an overview of basic principles, functions, and models of case management;

• To provide an opportunity for participants to apply information about case management to their own practices.

• To provide an overview of the importance of ethical guidelines, and ethical decision-making models; 

• To provide participants a specific decision-making tool and practice in using it and to provide an in-depth overview of a professional code of ethics.

 

The Training Design:

The eight curricula and their modules in this training series are designed for 4 months theory and two months practical/ guided internships with AutumnMind.com. Your trainers have provided you with a specific agenda for each curricula with trainer-led presentations and discussions, frequent use of creative learner-directed activities, small-group and partner to-partner exercises and presentations,  reflective writing exercises, periodic reviews to enhance learning retention, and learning assessment exercises. Your active participation is essential to making this a positive and productive learning experience!

 

The title of the training program: Universal Treatment Curriculum for Substance Use Disorder

The Organizers:  Ecolink Institute of Well-being, India & Colombo Plan-Drug Advisory Programme

Duration of the training:  Six Months Course (Four Months theory & Two months practical)

(Internship is possible with AutumnMind with supervised case management.)

Eligible groups: Mental Health Practitioners, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Social Workers & Psychology students

Proposed starting Date: 15 September 2020 (Registration closes by 6 September, 2020)

 

What the participants gain:

1. The participants will get a soft copy of “participant’s Manual” for each curriculum with more than 300 Pages of matter, PPTs, and reference materials completely free. (total 8 such manuals)

2. The course is implemented in four  parts with culminating examinations & certificates

3. The participants will get four completion certificates with marks cards

4. Completion Certificates will have the list of topics and modules covered

5. Completion Certificates will carry the logo of the Colombo Plan and authorized Training Provider.

6. Those completing the course successfully can sit for an international credentialing examination online from Global Center for Credentialing and Certification (GCCC) and  get an International Credential (ICAP- Internationally Certified Addiction Professional), which is approved in all major countries including the west.

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The Resource persons:

Globally Certified Addiction Trainers for Universal Treatment & Prevention Curricula, promoted by the Colombo Plan & US Department of State  with several hours of training and counseling experience around the world.

1. Dr. Thirumagal V., Global Master Trainer, Colombo Plan

2. Mr. Francis Moothedan, Global Master Trainer, Colombo Plan

3. Ms. Susmita Bannerji, Global Master Trainer, Colombo Plan

4. Ms. Aditi Sanika, Global Master Trainer, Colombo Plan

5. Dr. Thomas Scaria, ICAP Certified Addiction Trainer & Director, Ecolink

6. Ms. Reshma Malick, ICAP Certified Addiction Trainer

 

Moderator: Dr. Thomas Scaria, ICAP Certified Addiction Trainer & Director, Ecolink

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The Syllabus (Curricula and Modules)

The syllabus is designed by  experts from all over the world based on evidence based approaches and years of research. The overall goal of the training series is to reduce the significant health, social, and economic problems associated with substance use disorders (SUDs) by building international treatment capacity through training, professionalizing, and expanding the global treatment workforce.

Curriculum 1: Physiology and Pharmacology for Addiction Professionals

Module 1—Training Introduction

Module 2—Introduction to Psychoactive Substance Use 

Module 3—The Science of Addiction

Module 4—Social Stigma

Module 5—Substances of Abuse: Characteristics and Consequences

Module 6—Integrating Learning Into  Practice

Participants who complete Course 1 will be able to: 

• Name and briefly describe four classes of psychoactive substances;

• Describe the ways in which psychoactive substances may be taken; 

• Define substance use disorders; 

• Define physiological dependence; 

• Define addiction; 

• Briefly describe the ways in which substance use affects normal brain communication;

• Define and describe the concept of stigma; and

• Describe the effects and consequences of at least six psychoactive substances.

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Curriculum 2: Treatment for Substance Use Disorder, Continuum of Care

Module 1—Training Introduction

Module 2— Recovery and Recovery  Management

Module 3_ Factors Affecting Treatment Outcomes

Module 4— Introduction to Motivation and Stages of Change

Module 5— Treatment: An Overview

Module 6— Components of Treatment: The Continuum of Care

Module 7_ Evidence-Based Practices for Treatment Intervention

Module 8 _ Integrating Learning Into Treatment

Participants who complete Course 2 will be able to: 

• List and briefly describe two overall goals of treatment; 

• Name the six stages of change and describe at least one characteristic of clients in each stage; „

• Name at least eight of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse principles of treatment; Describe the components of treatment; 

• Define and provide examples of the continuum of care; 

• Briefly describe five evidence-based treatment interventions; and 

• Name at least five factors that can affect a person’s success in treatment.

                                                         

Curriculum 3: Common Co-Occurring Mental and Medical Disorders—An Overview for Addiction Professionals

Module 1—Training Introduction

Module 2— History of, Vulnerabilities to, and Impacts of Co-Occurring Disorders

Module 3— Assessment and Treatment Options and Models

Module 4— Specific Mental Disorders and Common Issues

Module 5— Substance-Induced Mental Disorders

Module 6— Common Co-occurring Medical Disorders

Module 7_ Integrating Learning Into Practice

Participants who complete Course 3 will be able to: 

• Explain key terminology and concepts used in the co-occurring disorders field; 

• Describe the biological and environmental risk and protective factors involved with co-occurring disorders; 

• Describe six major mental disorders and SUD counseling approaches for each; 

• Explain what is meant by substance-induced mental disorders; 

• Describe three major medical disorders that impact SUDs; and 

• Integrate these concepts into their roles as SUD counselors

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Curriculum 4: Basic Counseling Skills for Addiction Professionals

Module 1—Training Introduction

Module 2— The Helping Relationship

Module 3— Core Counseling Skills

Module 4— Stages of and Strategies for Change

Module 5— Group Counseling: Basic Skills

Module 6— Psycho-education Groups for Clients and Families Module

Module 7_ Teaching Clients Skills

Module 8 _ Integrating Learning Into Practice

Participants who complete Course 4 will be able to: 

• Describe the concept and importance of counselor style; 

• List at least five characteristics of effective counselors; 

• Define helping relationship; 

• Describe the three types of reflective listening; 

• Demonstrate basic competence in reflective listening; 

• Describe and demonstrate asking open-ended questions, affirming, summarizing, and rolling with resistance; 

• Identify at least two effective counseling strategies for each stage of change; 

• Demonstrate basic competence in three types of skills-based counseling:

  • Relapse prevention

  • Problem-solving

  • Goal-setting; 

• Describe at least two basic issues or tasks for each typical group phase; and Demonstrate basic competence in group facilitation.

 

Curriculum 5: Intake, Screening, Assessment, Treatment Planning and Documentation for Addiction Professionals

Module 1—Training Introduction

Module 2— Environment, Treatment Engagement and Retention

Module 3— Intake, Screening and Brief Intervention

Module 4— Assessment

Module 5— The Addiction Severity Index

Module 6— Person-Centered Planning

Module 7_ Record keeping (Documentation)

Module 8 _ Integrating Learning Into Practice

Participants who complete Course 5 will be able to: ­

• Describe the principles for assessment; ­

• List the four main domains of assessment; ­

• Describe and demonstrate two effective strategies for collecting information; ­

• Describe the goal of screening and brief intervention; ­

• Demonstrate ability to screen clients using the ASSIST; ­

• Demonstrate beginning ability to use the ASI as part of assessing clients; and ­

• List the five essential elements of a self-directed goal.

 

Curriculum 6: Case Management for Addiction Professional

Module 1—Training Introduction

Module 2— Overview of Case Management

Module 3— Models of Case Management

Module 4— Steps of Case Management

Module 5— Integrating Learning Into Practice

Participants who complete Course 6 will be able to: 

• Describe the concept and importance of case management; 

• Define “case management”; 

• Understand how case management helps coordinate services and reduce fragmentation; 

• Understand how case management is currently being performed in their program; and 

• Apply the principles of case management to their own practice.

 

Curriculum 7: Crisis Intervention for Addiction Professionals

Module 1—Training Introduction

Module 2— What Causes a Crisis?

Module 3— 20 Guidelines for Crisis Management

Module 4— Managing Suicide Risk.

Module 5— Avoiding Personal Crisis: Counselor Safety and Self-Care

Module 6 _ Integrating Learning Into Practice

Participants who complete Course 7 will be able to: 

• Define crisis and crisis intervention; 

• Describe steps to managing a crisis; 

• Demonstrate awareness of suicide intervention and prevention; and 

• Demonstrate awareness of how to handle difficult or hostile clients while ensuring counselor and client safety.

 

Curriculum 8: Ethics for Addiction Professionals

Module 1—Training Introduction

Module 2— Foundations for Ethical Thinking

Module 3— A Model for Ethical Decision-Making

Module 4—NAADAC Ethical Principles, I-IV

Module 5— NAADAC Ethical Principles, V-VII

Module 6— NAADAC Ethical Principles, VIII-IX

Module 7_ Case Studies

Module 8 _ Integrating Learning Into Practice

Participants who complete Course 8 will be able to: 

• Explain the importance of ethical guidelines for avoiding discrimination and stereotyping; 

• Describe and demonstrate ability (using a case study) to use a model for ethical decision-making; 

• Explain guidelines for confidentiality and the circumstances when confidentiality may be ethically breached; 

• Explain standards for developing and maintaining healthy relationships with clients and colleagues and for protecting clients from harm; and 

• Demonstrate awareness of the various country or local laws and regulations that apply to SUD treatment.

 

Methodology for training:

The training will be imparted though zoom video conference, and the link will be sent through email and whatsapp 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time of the sessions. The students can click the link and the host will admit them to the class room from 15 minutes prior to the session. The training sessions will be from 6 pm to 8 pm with a 10 minutes break in between.

The training will be using power point presentations, interactive sessions, activities, and will be following a detailed manual with PPT and other instructions which will be made available to the participants before the session begin. The modules will be taken by expert resource persons who are recognized by the Colombo Plan and most of them serving as global trainers. There will be 8 curricula with 6-8 modules which will be imparted on one module-one day basis. Certain modules will be split into two days depending on its content. Therewill be home works and activities related to the sessions and reference materials will be provided.

Sessions will be provided live and not through any recorded video. Students are expected to learn not only through the zoom sessions, but through prescribed activities, home works and reading reference materials from the participants manual and references provided.

The training is imparted in two parts of four curricula each and participants will get two completion certificates upon successful completion of each part. In addition to these completion certificates, participants will be given opportunity to appear for an international examination, conducted by GCCC for credentialing and certification. There will be a feed back session and online model examination after each curricula to help participants successfully pass through the ICAP examination at the end for credentialing as an internationally certified Addiction Professional (ICAP).

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