Substance Abuse and Impulse Control

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the major issues involved in working with persons who have addictive behaviours and disorders of impulse control within a forensic context. An exploration of the major theoretical perspectives of addiction (moral, medical and biopsychosocial) will be presented. This course will focus on three areas of practice: assessment, treatment, and teamwork in effective risk management. Additional discussions, including harm reduction strategies, comorbidity and the utilization of community resources, will also take place, allowing students to grasp a foundational knowledge of substance abuse. Through a combination of interactive lectures and small-group presentations, students will have an opportunity to review and critique relevant literature and controversial topics in the management of these often challenging groups of individuals. Case study examples will be used to illustrate various scenarios in theory and current forensic practice. Note: Check with the institution regarding start/ end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to the program, section, and/or semester.