Alcohol and Other Drug Use: Change and Intervention PG (7492.4)

Please note these are the 2022 details for this unit
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Alcohol and Other Drug Use: Change and Intervention PG
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Online real-time
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Nursing Post Graduate Level Band 1 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 1 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This is unit will enable students to develop an understanding of the central philosophy of care in the alcohol and other drug field. It will examine the context of substance use, define drug types, as well as the effects of substances including the symptomatology associated with withdrawal and overdose. A range of intervention modalities will also be examined along with the needs of particularly vulnerable groups within society.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Describe and critically analyse the social context of substance use in Australian society and link this understanding with the National Policy Framework for Substance Use;
2. Define drug types and groups and their prevalence along with the signs and symptoms of withdrawal and overdose; and
3. Critically analyse a number of assessment and intervention strategies for use in a range of clinical settings.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Online real-time Mr Matthew Beverley-Stone
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Online real-time Mr Matthew Beverley-Stone
Not available

Required texts

Recommended Resources:

All students are encouraged to use a variety of sources to support their learning including, but not limited to, 'addictions' texts available online and via the university library as well as online media.


Students are encouraged to consider the use of textbooks and resources contextualised to the Australian Healthcare setting to support their learning.


Please be mindful to verify the source of online content, to ensure that you are accessing accurate and appropriate information to support your understanding of key concepts explored in this unit.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association

All UC nursing courses use APA 7th Edition for referencing, use of a referencing text is beneficial and can be used throughout your program of study.


Students may choose to either purchase this text or access a copy from the library to support their learning throuhtgout the semester.
The UC Library also has a referencing guide which can be found here: https://canberra.libguides.com/c.php?g=599301&p=4148716

Submission of assessment items

Special assessment requirements

Referencing:

Students must acknowledge and cite sources. This is important to avoid plagiarism, whether or not you use the author's own words.

Plagiarism occurs when students use other people's ideas, words or data as if they were their own. Deliberate plagiarism is a serious act of academic misconduct. The University of Canberra imposes strict penalties on students who are found to contravene the University's Student Academic Integrity Policy.

Please use the APA 7th edition format for any referencing - for further information please consult the University of Canberra Library UC Referencing Guide. 

Extension Procedure:

  • The onus rests on the student to comply with timelines for completing and submitting assessments on time or requesting an extension prior to the submission date
  • The student needs to provide documentary evidence that supports genuine circumstances for an extension to be granted 
  • Students are advised to liaise directly with the Unit Convener with any request for an extension - this is best done by email, attaching the Assignment Extension form 
  • The Unit Convener or Program Director will inform the student of the outcome as per University Policy and Faculty Procedure
  • Please note, extensions of more that seven days will not generally be granted 
  • Where a student has not had their assignment extesion requests approved, the student may seek consulation with the Inclusion Team for further support

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

It is expected that students will access all online learning materials and actively participate in online activities inculding group discussions. These components are central to this Unit, and will assist students in developing the knowledge and skills required for understanding alcohol and other drug use along with the interventions, approaches, and systems that might provide support/assistance. 

Required IT skills

Students are expected to be able to word process assignements so that they are well presented, use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, and search library databases for relevant journal articles and other contemporary information. 

This unit involves online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your Unit Canvas site. The Virtual Room allows students to communicate in real time with the lecturers/facilitators/Unit Convenor and other studying at that time. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality a microphone and speaker headset are recommend. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in the Unit Canvas site and 'Join Course Room'; this will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

It is the individual student's responsibility to access appropriate help from the University of Canberra IT services or Library if they need assistance to develop knowledge and skills in these areas. 

In-unit costs

The following costs are expected with this unit:

  • Textbooks
  • Self-printing of any electronic material provided.
  • Potential costs associated with remote learning activities and/or assessments (e.g., reliable computer and internet connection).

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Returning of graded assignments:

Every effort will be made by the Unit Convener to have graded assessments returned as soon as possible. Please note, where students are granted an extension they should expect a delay in the marking and graded assessments being returned to them. Extensions granted may mean there is a delay in the release of all students results.