COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the course on Work in an Alcohol & Other Drugs (AOD) Context. This course is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to effectively work in the AOD sector, understanding the complexities and nuances of supporting individuals affected by alcohol and other drugs. By the end of this course, you will be prepared to navigate the social, political, economic, and legal contexts of AOD, apply evidence-based practices, and provide person-centred support.
We begin by exploring the impact of current and changing social, political, economic, and legal contexts of AOD. Understanding these factors is crucial for effective AOD work, as they shape policies, practices, and the availability of resources. You will learn to research, analyse, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of these contexts to inform your practice.
Next, we delve into the historical, current, and emerging models of alcohol and drugs practice, examining their evidence base. This section will cover the evolution of AOD practices, highlighting key models and frameworks that have shaped the sector over time.
Legal and ethical considerations in AOD work are fundamental to ensuring safe and effective practice. You will learn how these considerations are applied within organisations and individual practice, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and ethical guidelines.
Specific contexts for AOD work and their characteristics will be discussed, providing insight into the various environments where AOD support is provided. This includes understanding the values and philosophies that underpin the AOD sector, which are essential for delivering person-centred care.
We will also explore the social constructs of the AOD sector and the impact of personal attitudes on working with people affected by AOD. Recognising and addressing these attitudes is key to providing non-judgmental and effective support. You will learn strategies to mitigate the risks associated with working in this sector and apply harm minimisation approaches to maximise client support.
Understanding drug fundamentals, including the types of drugs and their administration, signs and symptoms of drug use, stages and symptoms of withdrawal, and the effects of drug use on health, cognitive, social, and emotional development, is essential. This knowledge helps in assessing and addressing the needs of clients affected by AOD.
Patterns and prevalence of drug use, poly drug use, and common drug interactions, including the effects of prescribed drugs on the use of other drugs, will be examined. This comprehensive understanding will enable you to provide informed and effective interventions.
You will be tasked with researching and analysing the impacts of AOD policy frameworks on AOD work practice, applying historical and social constructs of alcohol and drugs to your work, and identifying and using legal frameworks that impact AOD work.
Applying knowledge of broad and specific AOD contexts to your practice, identifying and reviewing evidence-based models and frameworks, and ensuring that support and interventions are person-centred are key competencies you will develop. Emphasising a harm minimisation approach, you will support the client’s rights and safety, ensuring access and equity of services.
Reflecting on personal values and attitudes regarding AOD use, understanding their potential impact, and applying organisational values and client values in determining interventions and supports will be integral parts of your learning.
Critical thinking skills will be honed to evaluate information about current values and philosophy of the AOD sector. You will work with at least two people who have alcohol and/or drug issues, applying the knowledge and skills you have gained in ways that are consistent with the current values and philosophy of the AOD sector.
By the end of this course, you will be well-equipped to provide effective, ethical, and person-centred support to individuals affected by alcohol and other drugs, making a meaningful impact in the AOD sector.
This course is designed to align with the content outlined in the Nationally Recognised Unit of Competency CHCAOD001.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
Section A: Knowledge
· Impact of current and changing social, political, economic and legal contexts of AOD
· Historical, current and emerging models of alcohol and drugs practice and their evidence base
· Legal and ethical considerations in AOD work, and how they are applied in organisations and individual practice
· Specific contexts for AOD work and their characteristics
· Values and philosophies of the AOD sector
· Social constructs of the AOD sector and the impact of own attitudes on working with people affected by AOD
· Key considerations for addressing the impact of own attitudes on working with people affected by AOD
· Risks and mitigation strategies when working with people affected by alcohol and/or other drugs
· Drug fundamentals
· Types of drugs and how they are administered
· Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use
· Stages and Symptoms of Withdrawal
· Effects of Drug Use on Health, Cognitive, Social, Emotional Development, and Impact on Others
· Patterns and prevalence of drug use
· Poly drug use, common drug interactions and effects of prescribed drugs on the use of other drugs
Section B: Performance Tasks
· Research, analyse and maintain up-to-date knowledge and awareness of the social, political, economic and legal contexts of AOD
· Research and analyse impacts of AOD policy frameworks on AOD work practice
· Apply understanding of the historical and social constructs of alcohol and drugs and the changes in alcohol and drug use
· Apply knowledge of broad and specific AOD contexts to AOD work practice
· Identify and use legal frameworks that impact on AOD work
· Identify, review and apply information about evidence based models and frameworks of AOD work
· Assess AOD practice values and ensure support and interventions are person-centred
· Apply a harm minimisation approach to maximise support for the AOD client
· Support the client’s rights and safety, including access and equity of services
· Reflect on personal values and attitudes regarding AOD use and acknowledge their potential impact when working in AOD contexts
· Apply awareness of organisations’ values
· Consider client values in determining interventions and supports
· Use critical thinking skills to evaluate information about current values and philosophy of the AOD sector
· Work with at least 2 people who have alcohol and/or drugs issues in ways that are consistent with the current values and philosophy of the AOD sector
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.