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Opportunity to become a
Globally Certified Addiction Professional!
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Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) in Addiction Management is developed by global experts through years of research and evidence-based approaches. It is developed by The Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (CP-DAP), an Inter-Governmental Organization with the active involvement and support of the US Department of State. It is implemented currently in 62 countries by International Agencies like UNODC, WHO, Colombo Plan, and their approved Training Providers. Ecolink Institute of Well-being is approved as a Training Provider for UTC & UPC in India.
Contents:
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The Syllabus (Curricula and Modules)
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Curriculum 1: Physiology and Pharmacology for Addiction Professionals​
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Curriculum 2: Treatment for Substance Use Disorder, Continuum of Care
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Curriculum 3: Common Co-Occurring Mental and Medical Disorders
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Curriculum 4: Basic Counseling Skills for Addiction Professionals
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Curriculum 5: Intake, Screening, Assessment, Treatment Planning & Documentation
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Curriculum 7: Crisis Intervention for Addiction Professionals
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WHAT PEOPLE SAY
— Sulekha Venugopal,
India
Addiction management virtual course organised and conducted by Autumn mind has been rich in the course content, not only for the experienced but also for the novices In the concerned fields. The instructors were well versed and dealt with their respective topics lucidly. I find the course to be beneficial in updating and refining my skills
For Registration click here
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Introduction:
Many countries spend millions of dollars on dealing with the drug menace, called Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Drug abuse remains a major concern for developed and developing countries that require trained professionals to deal with both Demand and supply reduction programs. There is a huge requirement of trained personnel, especially counsellors 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 are growing job opportunities in this field, especially in developed countries.
Substance use disorder is a major mental health issue in the world that claims millions of deaths annually and causes 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 the illicit drug trade.
However, there is 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 does 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.
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Training goals:
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To provide participants with an understanding of the physiology of addiction as a brain disease;
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To provide participants with information about the pharmacology of psychoactive substances.
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To provide an overview of commonly co-occurring mental and medical disorders;
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To provide an overview of treatment models and principles for co-occurring disorders
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To provide an opportunity for participants to learn and practice basic skills they will need in all settings and models of treatment;
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To teach and provide an opportunity for participants to practice basic group counseling skills.
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To introduce participants to ways to implement recovery concepts in screening, assessment, and treatment planning;
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To familiarize participants with the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST);
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To provide an overview of basic principles, functions, and models of case management;
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To provide an opportunity for participants to apply information about case management to their own practices.
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To provide an overview of the importance of ethical guidelines and ethical decision-making models;
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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.
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The Training Design:
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The eight curricula and their modules in this training series are designed for 5 months theory and one month of practical/ guided training. 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!
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Duration of the training:
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Six Months Course (5 months theory and 1 month guided practical training.)
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Eligible groups:
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Mental Health Practitioners, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Social Workers & Psychology students
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What the participants gain:
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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)
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The course is implemented in four parts with culminating examinations & certificates
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The participants will get four completion certificates with marks cards
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Completion Certificates will have the list of topics and modules covered
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Completion Certificates will carry the logo of the Colombo Plan and authorized Training Provider.
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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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Resource persons:
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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.
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Dr. Thirumagal V., Global Master Trainer, Colombo Plan
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Mr. Francis Moothedan, Global Master Trainer, Colombo Plan
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Ms. Susmita Bannerji, Global Master Trainer, Colombo Plan
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Ms. Aditi Sanika, Global Master Trainer, Colombo Plan
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Dr. Thomas Scaria, ICAP Certified Addiction Trainer & Director, Ecolink
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Ms. Reshma Malick, ICAP Certified Addiction Trainer
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Dr. Ramila Shekhar, a specialized trainer
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Dr. Kiran Kumar P.K, Psychiatrist and professor
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Other certified trainers with ICAP credentials
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Moderator:
Dr. Thomas Scaria, ICAP Certified Addiction Trainer & Director, Ecolink
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The Syllabus (Curricula and Modules)
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The syllabus is designed by experts from all over the world. 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.
The Colombo Plan-Drug Advisory Programme
Ecolink Institute of Well-being, India
INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE COURSE ON
ON SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER MANAGEMENT
Universal Treatment Curricula (UTC)
Physiology and Pharmacology for Addiction Professionals​
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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
Treatment for Substance Use Disorder, Continuum of Care
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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
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
Basic Counseling Skills for Addiction Professionals
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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
Intake, Screening, Assessment, Treatment Planning and Documentation for Addiction Professionals
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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
Case Management for Addiction Professionals
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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
Crisis Intervention for Addiction Professionals
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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
Ethics for Addiction Professionals
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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
Methodology for training:
The training will be imparted through the 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 classroom 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 PowerPoint presentations, interactive sessions, activities, and will be following a detailed manual with PPT and other instructions that 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 their content. There will 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 participant's 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 an opportunity to appear for an international examination, conducted by GCCC for credentialing and certification.
There will be a feedback 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).
Background of the Agencies:
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(https://colombo-plan.org/drug-advisory-programme/ )
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The Colombo Plan is a Commonwealth initiated Inter-Governmental Organization which was established on 1 July 1951 by Australia, Canada, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom. Colombo Plan currently has expanded to 27 member countries including non-Commonwealth countries and countries belonging to regional groupings such as ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). The Colombo Plan was originally started for the socio-economic development of its member countries With a partnership concept of self-help and mutual-help, but currently, its activities are extended to more than 62 countries.
The Drug Advisory Programme (DAP) was established in 1971 as the first Inter-Governmental initiative in Drug Demand reduction under the Colombo Plan. The Inter-Governmental Organization has approved the Ecolink Institute of Well-being as an official “Training Provider” for Universal Treatment Curricula (UTC) and Universal Prevention Curricula (UPC) as well as various other addiction management training series developed for the countries around the globe. The curricula are developed by the Colombo Plan in collaboration with INL, US Department of State, and implemented by the approved Training Providers. The United States is the major donor for the Drug Advisory Programme under the Colombo Plan.
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2. The International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP)
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The International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP) is a global, not for profit, non-government organization to support the development of a professional drug demand reduction workforce. It is a free, international, membership organization, bringing together the range of workers from the prevention, treatment, and recovery fields to inform, connect, and strengthen their research, practice, and policymaking. ISSUP’s establishment and development have been the Colombo Plan and its Drug Advisory Programme (DAP) and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) who have been the originator and major funder of the initiative.
ISSUP had been able to implement its activities in consultation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organization of American States (OAS), and the African Union. These organisations have now become International Observers to ISSUPs Board of Directors. Other major regional and national country agencies have also played a significant role in supporting the establishment of ISSUP. These include the European Drug Monitoring Centre (EMCDDA), the Canadian Centre of Drug Abuse (CCSA), the Society for Prevention Research (SPR), the European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR), and Applied Prevention Science International (APSI).
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3. Global Center for Credentialing and Certification (GCCC):
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By becoming a Training Provider for the Colombo Plan, Ecolink becomes a collaborating partner for the GCCC which is established by the Colombo Plan and the US Government to certify addiction professionals internationally. Those participants completing UTC or UPC can get credentialed by the GCCC by attending an online examination conducted by the GCCC.
The Headquarters of GCCC is in London, UK and it envisions a world where everyone has access to quality services that promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. GCCC provides experience verification and appropriate exams to ensure that Governments and other employers are hiring and utilizing the most qualified professionals to improve the likelihood of positive outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
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4. Ecolink Institute of Well-being:
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Ecolink Institute of Well-being is a center for psychological wellness, counselling, education, and training, registered and based in the coastal city of Mangalore. The main objectives of the Institute are to promote a climate for positive mental health and Well-being among people through varieties of programs related to well-being. The Institute runs an Online Counselling portal named, AutumnMind.com with over 25 well-qualified Counsellors and psychologists who deal with mental health issues, addiction Management, relationship matters, and child and adolescent counseling. It also runs a face-to-face counseling and therapy program and a training center too.
Ecolink is also an approved “Training Provider” by the Colombo Plan for imparting Universal Treatment Curricula (UTC) and Prevention Curricula (UPC) for Substance Use Disorder, evidence-based training series developed and promoted by the Colombo Plan, UNODC and the US Department of State. It is also affiliated to the International Society for Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), as a worldwide network of addiction professionals and the Global Center for Credentialing and Certification (GCCC). The key founder of the Institute is Dr. Thomas Scaria, an Internationally Certified Addiction Professional and trainer with over 30 years of experience in social development programs in India and several Asian countries. Dr. Thulitha Wickrama and Ronnie Thomas are the co-founders.
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For more details, please contact:
Ronnie Thomas, Correspondent, Ecolink Institute of Well-being, 2/98/17, G.M. Arcade, Airport Road, Yeyyadi, Mangalore-575008, India. Email: ecolinkinstitute@gmail.com, elrecoveryonline@gmail.com, Phone: +919448327209, +91 8073168164 (WhatsApp)
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