Unit Overview
Unit Title
CHCAOD001 – Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
Unit Purpose
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to understand and apply information relevant to working with a client in an alcohol and other drugs context.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this unit.
Content
Section 1: Understanding alcohol and other drugs use
Section 2: An introduction to the drugs
Section 3: Frameworks of alcohol and other drugs practice
Section 4: Treatment and services for alcohol and other drugs clients
Resources/Readings
Readings A – H are located in the associated CHCAOD001 Readings.
Suggested Hours
Although everyone will work at their own pace, we suggest you allow approximately 80 hours to complete this unit competently, including seminars, tutorials, assignments and any practical activities.
Time Frame
The recommended time frame this unit is 80 hours.
Assessment
This unit will be assessed by completing the CHCAOD001 Assessment.
How to Use This Module
This module contains all of the information that you need to complete the assessment tasks associated with this unit. You must read through all of the information provided (both the module and associated readings) before attempting the assessment tasks.
Throughout this module there are a few icons used to help you. These include:
Tip
This is used to indicate the presence of tips or additional instructions that may assist you as you work through this module. They are designed to help you expand your knowledge and skills and deepen your understanding of how concepts and practices are applied in workplaces.
Read
You will find these throughout the module. They indicate that a particular Reading contains additional information on the topic that is being discussed at that point.
Reflect
This indicates a self-reflection question. You are not required to submit answers to these questions. They are designed to get you thinking more about the topic and to consider key points in order to aid your understanding.
Unit Outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:
| Element | Performance Criteria |
|---|---|
| 1. Establish the context for AOD work | 1.1 Research, analyse and maintain up-to-date knowledge and awareness of the social, political, economic and legal contexts of AOD 1.2 Research and analyse impacts of AOD policy frameworks on AOD work practice 1.3 Apply understanding of the historical and social constructs of alcohol and drugs and the changes in alcohol and drug use |
| 2. Apply understanding of context to AOD practice | 2.1 Apply knowledge of broad and specific AOD contexts to AOD work practice 2.2 Identify and use legal frameworks that impact on AOD work 2.3 Identify, review and apply information about evidence-based models and frameworks of AOD work |
| 3. Integrate the core values and principles of AOD work into practice | 3.1 Assess AOD practice values and ensure support and interventions are person-centred 3.2 Apply a harm minimisation approach to maximise support for the AOD client 3.3 Support the client’s rights and safety, including access and equity of services |
| 4. Apply understanding of the impact of values in AOD practice | 4.1 Reflect on personal values and attitudes regarding AOD use and acknowledge their potential impact when working in AOD contexts 4.2 Apply awareness of organisations’ values 4.3 Consider client values in determining interventions and supports |
Knowledge Evidence
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
- Impact of current and changing social, political, economic and legal contexts of AOD
- Historical, current and emerging models of alcohol and drugs practice and their evidence base including:
- Moral model
- Disease model
- Psycho-dynamic model
- Social learning model
- Social-cultural model
- Public health model, including systems approach
- Stages of change model
- Legal and ethical considerations (international, national, state/territory, local) in AOD work, and how they are applied in organisations and individual practice:
- Children in the workplace
- Codes of conduct
- Codes of practice
- Discrimination
- Dignity of risk
- Duty of care
- Human rights
- Informed consent
- Mandatory reporting
- Practice standards
- Privacy, confidentiality and disclosure, including limitations
- Policy frameworks
- Records management
- Rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients
- Specific AOD legislation
- Work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations, and their importance
- Work health and safety
- Specific contexts for AOD work and their characteristics, including:
- Centre-based work
- Day program
- Withdrawal services
- Drop-in centres, recreational facilities
- Housing and residential services
- Inpatient
- Outreach and home visits, street, parks
- Online AOD work, web-based, emails, discussion rooms
- Telephone contact
- Values and philosophies of the AOD sector, including:
- Harm minimisation
- Recovery
- Person-centred approach
- Empowerment
- Health promotion (as per the Ottawa Charter)
- Social constructs of the AOD sector and the impact of own attitudes on working with people affected by AOD
- Historic, current and emerging patterns of drug and alcohol use
- Services, prevention and intervention strategies available to AOD clients
- Risks and mitigation strategies when working with people affected by alcohol and/or other drugs
- Drug fundamentals:
- Classes of drugs:
- Primary properties
- Harms
- Types of drugs and how they are administered, including:
- Alcohol
- Annabis
- Tobacco
- Illicit
- Prescription
- Current and emerging trends in drug types and their use
- Signs and symptoms of use, including:
- Stages and symptoms of withdrawal
- Effects of drug use on health, cognitive, social, emotional development and impact on others
- Patterns and prevalence of drug use, including:
- Experimental
- Recreational/social
- Situational
- Dependence
- Poly drug use, common drug interactions and effects of prescribed drugs on the use of other drugs
- Classes of drugs:
Performance Evidence
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
- Used critical thinking skills to evaluate information about current values and philosophy of the AOD sector
- Worked with at least 2 people who have alcohol and/or drugs issues in ways that are consistent with the current values and philosophy of the AOD sector
Introduction
This unit is designed to introduce you to the skills and knowledge required to work in the alcohol and other drugs context. You will learn about the current context, philosophy, and values of the alcohol and other drugs sector, and how to apply them into practice. Such skills and knowledge are regularly used by helping professionals.
Overview of Sections
Section 1: Understanding Alcohol and Other Drugs Use
In this section of the Study Guide you will learn about the historical and current patterns of AOD use as well as the different harms and impacts brought upon by AOD use. You will also learn about the different theories and models that explain why individuals can develop a dependency on AOD.
Section 2: An Introduction to the Different Drugs
This section of the Study Guide will introduce you to the neurophysiology of how and why individuals develop an addiction to AOD. You will also be introduced to the different types of drugs according to the drug classification system.
Section 3: Frameworks of Alcohol and Other Drugs Practice
You will learn about the different frameworks and approaches that are commonly used by helping professionals when working with individuals who seek AOD-related help. You will also learn about the ethical and legal considerations that will impact your work as a helping professional.
Section 4: Treatment and Services for Alcohol and Other Drugs Clients
This Section of the Study Guide introduces you to the Stages of Change Model, which is most commonly used to help assess an individual’s readiness to change a behaviour. You will also learn about the different treatment and services that are available for AOD clients.
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