Introduction

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, there are over 36 million drugs users around the globe.

 

Chemical Dependency is a complex brain disease which is relapsing and associated with both physical and psychological co-occurring disorders. Since addiction is a complex process, recovery is also complex, which involves a whole person wellness and reintegration. Recovery from substance use disorders is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

A person undergoes several emotional and physical issues during recovery which requires professional care and support. There is an acute shortage of qualified professionals and recovery coaches with proper training and experience to deal with addiction management and recovery.  The Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) is specially designed by global experts under the supervision of the Colombo Plan and the US Department of State, through years of research and based on Evidence Based Practices.

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.

The Training Design:

The eight curricula and their modules in this training series are designed for 4 months as online live sessions at Zoom platform with participatory activities, home assignments, etc. 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!

 

Participants will receive a Participants Manual with detailed resources, PPTs and activity guidelines for each curriculum. In total, participants will receive eight (8) such manuals running into nearly 300 pages each. The whole curriculums are divided into 4 courses which will end with a post test and completion Certificates. These Completion Certificates are required for applying to ICAP credentialing.

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The title of the training program:  Science of Addiction, Treatment & Recovery (Universal Treatment Curriculum for Substance Use Disorder, Curriculum 1 & 2)

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

Duration of the training:  140 hours, 4 hours each week only on Saturdays (9 am-1.30 pm-IST)

Eligible groups: Addiction practitioners attached to addiction recovery centres, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Doctors, Social workers, Recovery coaches

Minimum Qualification:        A University Recognized Bachelors’ Degree or more

Proposed starting Date:  6th  March 202. (Please note: The opening dates are subjected to change)

Training Days: Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Training Hours: IST 3 pm - 5 pm or flexible in line with the time zone of the majority of Participants

Training Fee:  USD 240 (All-inclusive Course fee) To be paid in lump sum or in two instalments. 

Selection Process:  Selection is done based on a written test and interview.

Course fee: USD 100 for the first course in the series, Science of Addiction, its pharmacology and Treatment and Recovery for Curriculum 1 & 2. (The full course is 8 curriculums). 

• The course fee includes the entire sessions, participant’s manuals for each curriculum, and its two examinations and certificates.

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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 counselling experience around the world. Most Trainers are also Certified Trainers for UNODC.

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

2. Ms. Aditi Ghaneker, Global Master Trainer, Colombo Plan

3. Mr. Francis Moothedan, ICAP-III certified Global Master Trainer, Colombo Plan

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

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

6. Dr. Damber Kumar Nirola, Psychiatrist and ICAP Certified Trainer (Bhutan)

7. Ms. Reshma Malick, ICAP-III Certified Addiction Trainer

8. Mr. Sonam Jamtsho, ICAP-III Certified Addiction Trainer (Bhutan)

 

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.

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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.

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The full course will have the following Curriculums too:

                                                         

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

2. Curriculum 4: Basic Counseling Skills for Addiction Professionals

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

4. Curriculum 6: Case Management for Addiction Professionals

5. Curriculum 7: Crisis Intervention for Addiction Professionals

6. Curriculum 8: Ethics for Addiction Professionals

                                                         

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Methodology for training:

The training will be imparted though zoom video conference, and the link will be sent through email and whatsapp group 3 hours 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 9 am to 1.30 pm with a 30 minutes break in between and 5 minutes break in each one hour.

 

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. 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.

 

Participants have an option to do the entire course of 8 curriculums and get qualified for the international credential as Addiction Professional by appearing 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).

Background of the Agencies:

Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (CP-DAP)

( www.colombo-plan.org )

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 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 is developed by the Colombo Plan in collaboration with INL, US Department of State and implemented by the approved Training Providers. United States is the major donor for the Drug Advisory Programme under the Colombo Plan.

 

The International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP)

(https://www.issup.net)

The International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP) is a global, not for profit, non-government organisation to support the development of a professional drug demand reduction workforce. It is a free, international, membership organisation, bringing together the range of workers from the prevention, treatment and recovery fields to inform, connect and strengthen their research, practice and policy making. 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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Global Center for Credentialing and Certification (GCCC):

( https://www.globalccc.org )

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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Ecolink Institute of Well-being:

( www.autumnmind.com,  www.ecolinkinstitute.com   )

Ecolink Institute of Well-being is a center for psychological wellness, counseling, education and training, registered and based at the coastal city of Mangalore. The main objectives of the Institute is 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, an evidence based training series developed and promoted by the Colombo Plan, UNODC and the US Department of State. It is also affiliated to International Society for Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), as 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 developmental programs India and several Asian countries. He is also the founding member of Link De-addiction Center established in 1992 with nearly three decades of outstanding services. Dr. Thulitha Wickrama and Ronnie Thomas are the co-founders of Ecolink.

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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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Acknowledgments: Universal Treatment Curricula for Addiction Professionals is part of an eight-volume training series developed for the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) by the Colombo Plan