Alfred Adler Institute of Northwestern Washngton

Distance Training in
Classical Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy

Course DT306
Substance Abuse Diagnosis, Assessment, & Treatment

Instructor: Dyanne Pienkowski, M.A., MFT

Objective: A Unique Combination of Substance Abuse and Adlerian Training, this course provides an opportunity to learn innovative Adlerian techniques and strategies for working with alcoholic/chemically dependent clients. The creative Adlerian approach enhances traditional substance abuse treatment models and AA/NA recovery programs.
Reading: Topic outline, course handouts, selected articles.
Audio: Complete recording of a one-day, seven-hour course, including lecture, group discussion, and a demonstration of a substance abuse intake interview.
E-mail: Your comments and questions.
Discussion: Three hours of telephone discussion, with Dyanne Pienkowski.
Time: Three weeks.
Cost: $540.00
Note: Prerequisite Courses DT101, DT102A, DST102B, DT302A, DT302B, & DT301.

Course Content

Course overview:

  • Identifies and defines the addiction syndrome
  • Reviews the history of addiction
  • Discusses the physiological, psychological, and social variables involved in making an accurate diagnosis
  • Provides case studies to illustrate diagnosis and treatment
  • Case vignette exercises to improve diagnosic skill
  • Demonstration of questioning a client using the Socratic Method

Topics include:

  • Contemporary perspectives on patterns of alcohol and drug abuse
  • Assessing the extent of current use/abuse
  • Tracing the effects on society (the individual, family, and community)
  • Survey of available treatment alternatives
  • Developing an effective treatment and/or referral plan

Participants will learn to:

  • Recognize the symptoms of addiction
  • Make appropriate interventions and referrals
  • Recognize and make appropriate interventions with affected family members
  • Utilize current programs of recovery (AA, AlAnon) as an adjunct to treatment


Topic Outline

  1. Introduction
  2. History and Contemporary Perspectives
    1. Alcohol
    2. Street Drugs
      1. Cocaine/Crack
      2. Heroin/Opiates and HIV
      3. Marijuana/Psychedelics
    3. Abuse vs Addiction
      1. Definitions of Abuse, Use, and Misuse
        2. Definitions of Addiction, Habituation, and Dependence
  3. Assessment and Diagnosis
    1. Symptoms Imitate Other Psychological Disorders (and Medical Problems)
    2. DSM-IV Criteria
    3. Patterns of Use, Symptoms, Emotional, Spiritual, and Cognitive Impairments
    4. Assessing Appropriate Level of Care
      1. Outpatient
      2. Inpatient
      3. 12 Step Programs
      4. Pharmacological Models (Methadone, Antibuse, Naltrexone)
      5. Social Setting Models (Day Programs, Residential Treatment)
      6. Psychotherapeutic Models (Dynamic, Behavioral, Group)
      7. Prevention Models
    5. Dual Diagnosis
      1. Assessment and Treatment
      2. Addictive Behavior and Mental Health Diagnosis
      3. Self Medication as a Treatment Issue
  4. Treatment Modalities
    1. The Medical Model
      1. Modern Adaptations of the Disease Model
      2. Diagnostic Materials
    2. Therapeutic Communities
    3. Inpatient
      1. 28 Days
      2. 30-60-90 Day Residential
      3. Detox Only (3-5 Days)
    4. Intensive Outpatient
    5. Day Treatment
  5. Special Topics
    1. Recovering Alcoholics/Addicts as Therapists
    2. Ethical and Legal Issues
  6. Recognition and Intervention With Family Members
    1. Co-Dependency - Is it Really a Disease?
      1. Recognizing Symptoms
      2. Breaking Through Denial
      3. DSM-IV Diagnosis
      4. Individual, Group, Family Therapy
    2. Effect of Substance Absuse on the Individual, Family, and Community
  7. Basic Adlerian Principles
    1. Inferiority Feeling
    2. Striving for Significance
    3. Security, Belonging, and Self-Esteem
    4. Development of Social Interest
    5. Creative Power
  8. Adlerian Treatment Approach (Strategies)
    1. Encouragement
    2. Cooperation
    3. Use of Early Recollections
    4. Socratic Method
    5. Missing Experience
    6. Correcting Life Style Mistakes
  9. Case Presentation and Role Playing
  10. Summary/Closing
    11.

Use the "Buy Now" link below to order with a credit card(via PayPal).
 Distance Training Course
DT306: Substance Abuse Diagnosis, Assessment, & Treatment
Tuition: $540.00

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