Associate in Arts - Addiction Studies

The Addiction Studies program prepares students to work with the alcohol and other drug dependent population, and the family and employer of the addicted person. The program addresses community needs for trained substance use prevention and intervention specialists to work and volunteer in both public and private agencies in the Bay Area.

Upon successful completion of this degree, graduates will be able to: • Recognize behavioral, psychological, health, and social effects of psychoactive substances on the user and the user\'s family, friends, associates and community. • Identify a variety of models and theories of addiction and other problems related to substance abuse and the importance of research and outcome data and their application to clinical practice. • Describe the philosophies, practices, policies, and outcomes of the most generally accepted and scientifically supported models of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention and continuing care for addiction and other substance-related problems, including those for incarcerated persons. • Define the basic metabolic and neurological processes involved in psychoactive drug use, including synergistic effects and risk factors. • Appropriately diagnose substance use disorders and describe treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care. • Use appropriate treatment methods, using concepts and strategies of family systems, and chemically dependent family systems theories, including cultural competent counseling to engage clients and to direct and support their progress through treatment.