SWK 2227 - Addictive Behaviors

Credits: 4
This course is designed to build students’ knowledge, skills, and values pertaining to the understanding of various addictive behaviors. The development of addictions is influenced by biological, psychological, and social processes. Thus, the etiology of addictive behaviors including substance use disorders and process addictions (gambling, sex, internet, etc.) will be examined with biopsycho-social considerations. The potential interconnections between these addictive behaviors as well as other psychological problems will also be explored. The addicted individual’s social functioning in terms of society, community, and family will be considered. The effects of addiction on these social systems and vice versa will be examined. Evidence-based screening, assessment, and intervention strategies will be presented. Variations in addictive behaviors, etiology, assessment, and effective interventions on the basis of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social-economic status, religion, and age will be considered.
Prerequisite(s) SWK-2214 or SWK-2225 or PSY-2209