SOSV3210 Substance abuse and addiction Course description

The use of drugs and alcohol and different forms of addiction create social and health-related problems and is an area that applies to users in contact with most support services in the health and social care sector. This course is based on national and international research and experience-based knowledge from a broad field of practice. Models of understanding and explanatory models are significant to how users are received and what kind of measures they are offered. 

The student must have passed all exams in the first and second year of the programme.  

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence: 

Knowledge 

The student has knowledge of 

• the context of the substance abuse field: socio-political and academic development, key laws and organisation of the field 

• different perspectives and approaches to substance abuse and addiction in Norway, and other countries 

• the relationship between substance abuse and mental health, integrated approaches and treatment interventions 

• substance abuse and gender 

• consequences for children living with substance abuse/addiction in the family 

Skills 

The student can 

• is able to make some comparisons of perspectives and approaches with at least one other country 

• talk with users with substance abuse problems to assess, prevent and implement change processes in cooperation with users in different parts of the social and health care sector 

• show respect for the other person’s independence and autonomy 

• cooperate and take the initiative to implement interdisciplinary and inter-agency cooperation 

General competence 

The student can 

• reflect on ethical dilemmas in the field 

• describe how measures at different levels must be facilitated and coordinate services for user groups 

• reflect on myths and realities in the field of substance abuse/addiction 

• An introduction to different models of understanding and explanatory models for the development of substance abuse and addiction problems, including different types of intoxicants and their effect 

• The relationship between substance abuse and mental health and experience with targeted measures and forms of treatment 

• How to be a child and grow up around substance abuse in the family 

• Gender perspectives related to substance abuse

• Patient rights, cooperation and the division of roles as a consequence of the Coordination Reform 

In all of the above topics, emphasis will be placed on conversation with users about substance abuse and the consequences it may have on their own and other’s life situations.

No coursework requirements/compulsory activities. 

An individual written in-depth paper on a topic chosen by the student. The students will work on the assignment throughout the course. The answer paper must have a scope of 8-10 pages. Font and font size: Calibri 12 point. Line spacing: 1.5.The approved citation style APA for assignments must be complied with.  

A selection of self-chosen readings, which comprises of 300 pages must be attached in the assignment.

Students who were absent for a valid reason or who fail the exam may take a resit/rescheduled exam in the same format as the ordinary exam. If the student fails the exam, they will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version of the assignment for assessment.  

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.  

Grade scale A-F.  

All exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner. 

Ragnhild Fugletveit