COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Apply Responsible Work Practices in Alcohol & Other Drugs Support Settings course. This program has been designed to strengthen your knowledge, professional judgement, and practical skills to provide safe, ethical, recovery-oriented support to people experiencing alcohol and other drug (AOD) concerns across a range of community and residential settings.
Alcohol and other drugs support practice involves working with complex biological, psychological, and social factors that influence substance use and recovery. This course begins by introducing the core concepts of AOD support, clarifying the roles and responsibilities of AOD support workers, and outlining the principles of recovery-oriented practice. It also explores the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, accountability, and ethical conduct when working with people who may experience stigma, instability, and significant health and social risks related to substance use.
An informed understanding of addiction underpins responsible AOD support. This section examines the biological factors that influence dependence and craving, the psychological contributors to substance use, and the social and environmental conditions that can sustain or worsen addiction. It also considers how evidence-based models of addiction can be applied to everyday practice so that support is informed, realistic, and aligned with contemporary knowledge.
Therapeutic relationships are central to effective AOD work. This section explores how to develop respectful, non-judgemental relationships, establish and maintain trust, and demonstrate consistency and reliability in interactions with clients. It highlights the importance of communicating with empathy and professionalism, recognising ambivalence about change, and supporting engagement without reinforcing shame or stigma.
Substance use can lead to acute crises that require prompt, skilled responses. This section focuses on recognising substance-related crisis situations, applying de-escalation strategies safely, and ensuring immediate client and worker safety. It also examines when and how to engage emergency and specialist services, and how to work within organisational procedures to manage risk while maintaining dignity and respect.
For some clients, medication-assisted treatment forms an important part of their recovery journey. This section outlines the purpose and options for pharmacotherapy in AOD treatment, and considers the support worker’s role in encouraging adherence, monitoring observable effects, and reinforcing treatment plans. It emphasises working strictly within scope, following clinical guidance, and communicating concerns to prescribing professionals or clinical supervisors.
Harm reduction is a core principle in contemporary AOD practice. This section examines the philosophy and aims of harm reduction, including supporting safer substance use practices for clients who are not ready or able to cease use. It explores strategies for reducing health and social risks, promoting informed decision-making, and balancing risk management with respect for autonomy and client choice.
Challenging behaviours may arise in the context of intoxication, withdrawal, trauma, or frustration. This section explores how to identify triggers for challenging behaviours, apply positive behaviour support strategies, and respond calmly and consistently to maintain safety. It also considers how to balance firmness and empathy, and how to use organisational supports and procedures when behaviour presents significant risk.
Client empowerment is fundamental to sustainable recovery. This section examines how to support autonomy and choice, encourage self-advocacy, and build confidence in recovery planning. It highlights the importance of promoting active participation in support services, reinforcing client strengths, and recognising that the pace and pathway of change will differ between individuals.
Cultural competence is critical in AOD practice, where substance use is shaped by cultural, social, and historical contexts. This section explores cultural influences on substance use and help-seeking, strategies for providing culturally safe and inclusive support, and the importance of reflecting on personal bias and assumptions. It also examines how to adapt services and communication to meet the diverse needs of individuals, families, and communities.
Recovery is not only about reducing substance use; it also focuses on overall wellness. This section considers how to support physical health and activity, encourage balanced nutrition, promote stress management strategies, and support broader wellbeing in recovery. It highlights the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and social health and the role of AOD support workers in reinforcing healthy routines.
Group programs can provide powerful opportunities for connection and learning. This section explores group dynamics in AOD settings, including how to facilitate safe and respectful group sessions and apply basic therapeutic group techniques. It also addresses managing challenges that arise in groups, such as conflict, disclosure, or disengagement, in a manner that maintains safety and therapeutic value.
Relapse is often part of the recovery process and requires a thoughtful, non-judgemental response. This section examines how to identify relapse triggers and warning signs, support clients to develop coping strategies, and encourage long-term recovery planning. It also explores constructive ways of responding when relapse occurs so that trust is maintained and opportunities for learning and recommitment are maximised.
Substance use affects not only individuals but also families and significant others. This section explores the impact of AOD use on relationships, family roles, and wellbeing, and considers how to provide information and emotional support to families. It highlights ways to encourage family involvement where appropriate, while maintaining boundaries, confidentiality, and respect for the client’s rights and preferences.
Ethical advocacy is an important component of AOD support roles. This section examines client rights and entitlements, strategies for supporting access to services and systems, and approaches to advocating for fair and equitable treatment within health, justice, housing, and social support environments. It also reinforces the importance of supporting client self-advocacy and empowerment, rather than taking over decision-making.
Finally, the course concludes with a focus on ethical practice in AOD support. This section explores relevant ethical frameworks and codes, managing confidentiality and consent in complex situations, and navigating ethical dilemmas such as dual relationships, risk, and competing interests. It also introduces structured ethical decision-making approaches that help workers act consistently, transparently, and in the best interests of clients.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the practical strategies, ethical frameworks, and professional work practices required to provide responsible, recovery-oriented AOD support that promotes safety, dignity, autonomy, and meaningful change for the people you work with.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Alcohol & Other Drugs Support Practice
- Understanding AOD support
- Roles and responsibilities of AOD support workers
- Principles of recovery-oriented practice
- Maintaining professional boundaries and accountability
2. Understanding Addiction
- Biological factors influencing addiction
- Psychological contributors to substance use
- Social and environmental influences on addiction
- Applying evidence-based understanding to practice
3. Building Therapeutic Relationships
- Developing respectful and non-judgemental relationships
- Establishing trust with clients
- Maintaining consistency and reliability
- Communicating with empathy and professionalism
4. Crisis Intervention
- Recognising substance-related crisis situations
- Applying de-escalation strategies safely
- Ensuring immediate client safety
- Engaging emergency and specialist services
5. Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Understanding medication-assisted treatment options
- Supporting clients using pharmacotherapy
- Monitoring medication effects and adherence
- Working within scope and clinical guidance
6. Harm Reduction Strategies
- Understanding harm reduction principles
- Supporting safer substance use practices
- Reducing health and social risks
- Promoting informed client decision-making
7. Managing Challenging Behaviours
- Identifying triggers for challenging behaviours
- Applying positive behaviour support strategies
- Responding calmly and consistently
- Maintaining safety for clients and workers
8. Client Empowerment
- Supporting client autonomy and choice
- Encouraging self-advocacy skills
- Building confidence in recovery planning
- Promoting active participation in support services
9. Cultural Competence in Substance Use Support
- Understanding cultural influences on substance use
- Providing culturally safe and inclusive support
- Reflecting on personal bias and assumptions
- Adapting services to meet diverse needs
10. Promoting Wellness
- Supporting physical health and activity
- Encouraging balanced nutrition
- Promoting stress management strategies
- Supporting overall wellbeing in recovery
11. Group Therapy Facilitation
- Understanding group dynamics in AOD settings
- Facilitating safe and respectful group sessions
- Applying therapeutic group techniques
- Managing challenges within group environments
12. Relapse Prevention
- Identifying relapse triggers and warning signs
- Supporting development of coping strategies
- Encouraging long-term recovery planning
- Responding constructively to relapse
13. Supporting Families Affected by Substance Use
- Understanding the impact of substance use on families
- Providing information and emotional support
- Encouraging family involvement where appropriate
- Maintaining boundaries and confidentiality
14. Advocacy Skills in Substance Use Support
- Understanding client rights and entitlements
- Supporting access to services and systems
- Advocating for fair and equitable treatment
- Supporting client self-advocacy
15. Ethical Practice in Alcohol & Other Drugs Support
- Understanding ethical frameworks and codes
- Managing confidentiality and consent
- Navigating complex ethical dilemmas
- Applying ethical decision-making models
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 3-4 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”.