Understanding Addiction -
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Counseling with an Emphasis on Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse will articulate the major models and theories of addiction, understand the prevalence of co-occurring disorders, are aware of cultural diversity and social justice issues, understand types of addictions, and become knowledgeable regarding pharmacological and psychopharmacological issues.

• Identify the important substance use and addictive disorders, theories, terms, and developmental models.
• Explain the continuum of care and the social contexts affecting substance use and addictive disorders treatment.
• Develop treatment plans for the client with a co-occurring disorder, including the major classifications of mental illness and the common drugs used to treat these illnesses.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of pharmacology theories related to substance use and addictive disorders, and treatment.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of the principles of pharmacology, anatomy, and physiology as they apply to the major classes of psychoactive drugs of abuse/addiction.
• Develop treatment strategies addressing the physiological and psychological impact of process addictions.

Treatment Knowledge -
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Counseling with an Emphasis on Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse will develop a philosophy of addictions/substance use treatment, develop and apply treatment practices and outcomes, develop relapse prevention plans, apply research-based theories, and understand the importance of continuing care.

• Explain the importance of community resources for the prevention and treatment of substance use and addictive disorders.
• Describe strategies for teaching addiction clients self-regulation skills.
• Identify important components of relapse prevention as they apply to the substance use and addictive disorders client population.
• Develop and present educational information on substance use and addictive disorders topics including prevention.
• Describe family dynamics, including family roles, cycles of violence, and the impact of family on health recovery.
• Analyze substance use and addictive disorders in children and adolescents.

Application to Practice -
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Counseling with an Emphasis on Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse will demonstrate competency in understanding and applying the operations and documentation requirements and processes of performance as a professional treatment counselor.

• Identify key diagnostic categories of substance use and addictive disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).
• Identify the components of a crisis, develop intervention strategies, and identify community resources for support and referral.
• Explain involuntary vs. voluntary clients, various treatment settings, access to treatment issues, and managed care treatment options.
• Assess addicted clients' motivation for treatment, identify service gaps in treatment, and coordinate treatment with other professionals where gaps in service appear.
• Develop proper documentation as required in all areas of the practice of professional counseling.

Professional Readiness -
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Counseling with an Emphasis on Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse will demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures and people with disabilities and understand the professional obligations of clinical practice. They will also understand key legal and ethical standards of practice as well as licensing and certification requirements.

• Identify the values and ethics intrinsic to the governing principles of professional practice.
• Explain the social, political, economic, and cultural context within which substance use and addictive disorders exist.
• Explain the key legal standards of practice for the counseling profession regarding licensing/certification requirements, criteria for maintaining a license/certification, and client rights in psychotherapy.
• Explain the legal requirements for clinical supervision and consultation.
• Develop research-based substance use and addictive disorders prevention strategies that positively impact the community.
• Explain the importance of competence in the core knowledge, theory, and skills necessary to provide direct services and interventions to diverse clients, and client groups.

Practice Dimensions -
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Counseling with an Emphasis on Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse will demonstrate advanced skill in the application of the main dimensions of clinical practice necessary for the addictions counselor: evaluation; treatment planning; referral; coordination of treatment; counseling individuals, families, groups, couples and significant others; client and community education; documentation; and professional ethical responsibilities.

• Explain the importance of client interviewing, clear documentation, and building client rapport.
• Integrate client data, demographic information, and record-keeping into treatment planning.
• Apply basic counseling skills and modalities to individuals, families, couples, and significant others.
• Apply ethical and legal standards of practice into the counselor-client relationship within the practice of substance use and addictive disorders counseling.