HHS304 Mental Health and Substance Abuse (Dual Diagnosis) (8)
CSU Discipline Area: Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health (NRMIH)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject introduces the student to the twin issues of problematic drug use and co-existing mental disorders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Health care professionals will often be confronted with the complexities of caring for people who are affected by the abuse of substances and also those who show evidence of co-existing mental disorders. Often one of these issues masks the other and in some instances the control of one issue may accentuate or bring to the forefront the other issue. So called dual diagnosis issues are poorly understood in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities (and non indigenous communities) and are often stigmatised in mainstream Health/AOD thereby leading to less than satisfactory health outcomes for our people. This subject examines basic concepts and terminology in both the Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug field and the pharmacology of commonly used psychoactive drugs, substance use assessment instruments, and guidelines for managing intoxication and withdrawal. It also examines early and brief interventions and drug diversion pharmacotherapies.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2013.Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details prior to contacting their course coordinator: HHS304
Where differences exist between the handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Enrolment restrictions:
Available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) course, and Indigenous students enrolled in welfare programs
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to understand the pharmacology in the alcohol and drug field;
- be able to identify drug induced behaviours and psychosis;
- be able to identify behaviours and disorders in clients;
- be able to identify drug use behaviours and mental health issues and identify behaviours and ideations associated with some mental disorders;
- be able to explain key components of substance use and mental health assessment;
- be able to separate associated behaviours in mental health/drug abuse;
- be able to discuss general principles of management of intoxication and withdrawal;
- be able to explain appropriate early and brief interventions that may be useful in casework;
- be able to understand the effects and outcomes of pharmacotherapies;
- be able to demonstrate documentation required in client files.
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
1. Drug abuse, its effects and relation to mental disorder Pharmacology in the alcohol and drug field Identification of drug induced behaviours and psychosis Identification of behaviours and disorders in clients 2. Approaches to assessment in dual diagnosis Mental health assessment procedures Substance use assessment instruments 3. Approaches to management in dual diagnosis Development of a persona for use in behaviour identification during mental health and substance abuse assessment tasks Issues and strategies in management of intoxication and withdrawal Early and brief interventions in the alcohol and drug field Pharmacotherapies Documentation required in client files
Residential School
This subject contains a compulsory 4 day residential school.
The residential school is compulsory as it forms a significant component of the teaching strategy in this subject. Additional learning resources are provided at these schools that build on the materials provided in the study guides (e.g. guest lecturers, videos, and learning activities). It is considered essential that students undertake these activities for them to be able to successfully meet the learning objectives of this subject.
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.