Substance Use Disorder Counseling: Associate in Technical Arts (ATA)

Upon completion of this program, successful students will have demonstrated the ability to apply their skills and knowledge in the following ways:

1. Understand addiction and the ways it affects individuals throughout the life course.
2. Apply key principles in developmental and abnormal psychology to the experiences of chemically dependent and addicted patients.
3. Understand the pharmacological actions of alcohol and other drugs.
4. Demonstrate familiarity with substance abuse and addiction treatment methods, addiction placement, continuing care, and discharge criteria (including American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria).
5. Be effective in treatment planning, case management referral, use of community resources, and service coordination.
6. Effectively utilize the techniques used in individual counseling; group counseling; and counseling for families, couples and significant others who are affected by chemical dependency.
7. Develop an understanding of effective drug and alcohol prevention and relapse prevention programs as well as local client, family and community drug prevention education opportunities.
8. Successful completion of 4-hour HIV/AIDS risk-intervention training for the chemically dependent.
9. Effectively communicate orally and in writing in ways that minimize conflict and maximize clarity with diverse people. 
10. Work collaboratively with others (family members/agency representatives) to solve problems and resolve conflicts.
11. Access and use a variety of resources and services that match the needs of the individual or family.
12. Coach and mentor others. Others include co-workers, colleagues, and family members.
13. Behave professionally and ethically which includes being respectful, reliable, culturally sensitive, respecting a client’s personal boundaries, the rules of confidentiality, and adhering to mandatory reporting laws.