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Certificate of Addiction Support (Alcohol and Other Drugs)

The Certificate of Addiction Support (Alcohol & Other Drugs) prepares you for a rewarding career supporting those affected by alcohol and drug dependency. You will learn about patterns of use, co-occurring mental health issues, evidence-based treatment methods, harm minimisation, and effective interventions. On completion, you will have the skills and confidence to assist clients in AOD settings while navigating ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities.
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Start Anytime
Yes
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Delivery Method
100% Online
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Study Hours
60 hours
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Course Access
12 Months

If you are empathetic and passionate, a challenging and rewarding career in addiction support may be a good fit for you. In this role, you will help people access essential services, such as counselling, healthcare and education, to support recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

The Certificate of Addiction Support (Alcohol & Other Drugs) is a professional development course that will prepare you for work in the alcohol and drug sector, where you will learn how to work effectively with clients with dependency issues.

In this addiction support course, you will explore patterns of use across demographics, national drug strategies, harm minimisation, and the impacts of misuse on individuals, families, and communities. You will also learn about alcohol and drug dependency, including types of drugs, signs and symptoms, and effects on physical and mental health.

You will explore co-existing mental health issues and dual diagnosis, evidence-based treatment methods, and how to support clients in AOD settings to access services and referral pathways. You will also explore confidentiality and privacy, mandatory reporting, law and ethics, crisis response, de-escalation techniques and self-care, supervision, and burnout prevention.

On completion of this course, you will feel confident to apply interventions and undertake case management to support those impacted by AOD dependency.

Printed learning materials are available for purchase for this course and can be ordered during enrolment.

Printed learning materials are available for purchase for this course and can be ordered during enrolment.  

Course Structure
Unit 1 - Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
  • Historical contexts
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population
  • Cultural patterns of alcohol consumption
  • Alcohol misuse
  • Social, political and economic contexts
  • Alcohol and drug use
  • Gender differences
  • Age differences
  • National drug strategies
  • Economic costs of misuse
  • Types of drugs
  • Drug and alcohol dependency
  • Models of treatment
  • Critical incidents
  • Crisis situations
  • Managing clients
  • Daily living assistance
  • Residential support
  • Day programs
  • Mandatory reporting
  • Abuse and neglect
  • Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Medical / public health models
  • Cognitive Behavioural Treatment
  • Bio-Psycho-Social Model
  • AOD practice values
  • Harm minimisation
  • Vulnerabilities and risk areas
  • Access and equity
  • Values in AOD practices
  • Health promotion
  • Communication skills
  • Sharing information
  • Effective work practices
  • Law and ethics
Unit 2  - Work with clients who are intoxicated
  • Intoxicated client services
  • Assessing intoxication
  • Statutory requirements
  • Health and safety
  • Signs and symptoms
  • First aid
  • Alcohol and the brain
  • Injuries
  • Safe environments
  • Document services provided
  • Privacy
  • Reduce harm and injury
  • Calm and confident approach
  • Risk management
  • Safety measures
  • Infection control guidelines
  • Seeking emergency assistance
  • Long term needs
  • Assisted daily living
  • Service needs
  • AOD client information
  • Family support networks
  • Signs of relapse
Unit 3  - Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
  • Assessing clients’ needs
  • Review client records
  • Confidentiality
  • Purpose of assessment
  • Assessment flow chart
  • Drug assessment
  • AUDIT assessment
  • Conducting assessment
  • History and pattern of drug use
  • Co-existing issues
  • Co-morbid disorders
  • Psychological illness
  • Self-harm
  • Client contract
  • Familial and social relationships
  • Assess current status
  • Substance abuse
  • Alcohol dependence
  • AOD assessment tools
  • Symptoms of specific drug use
  • Interview questions
  • AOD consequences
  • Detoxification units
  • Homeless youth services
  • Client referral needs
  • Identify client issues
  • Referral protocols and procedures
Unit 4 - Provide services to people with coexisting mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
  • Co-existing mental health
  • AOD issues
  • Dual diagnosis
  • Substance abuse
  • Alcohol and drug dependence
  • Normal and abnormal behaviour
  • Behaviours of mental illness
  • Drug use and psychological illness
  • Service provision and agency programs
  • Service delivery models
  • Dual diagnosis treatment models
  • Treatment phases
  • Motivational interventions
  • Medication
  • The shared care model
  • Four-step programs
  • Treatment for individual disorders
  • Best practice model
  • Client assessment
  • Impact of AOD and psychological issues
  • Physical conditions
  • Societal impact
  • Readiness for recovery
  • Research specialist services
  • Effective working relationships
  • Recovery plans
  • 5 stages of change
  • Facilitate further care
  • Addressing AOD addiction
  • Treatment services
  • Eligibility criteria
  • Support and referral processes
  • Informed consent
  • Suicidal ideation
  • De-escalation techniques
  • Conflict resolution
  • Reporting incidents
  • Emergency situations
  • Response strategies
  • Records management
  • Communication
  • Assessment and self-evaluation
  • Achievement of goals
  • Advice, supervision and debriefing
  • Burnout prevention
  • Client risk assessment
  • Law and Ethics
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Estimated Duration
60 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment

Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.

Career Outcomes
  • Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Support Worker
  • Community Support Worker
Enrol & start today
* Ts&Cs apply
Certificate of Addiction Support (Alcohol and Other Drugs)
$399.00
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About Us

At Australian Online Courses, we are passionate about helping individuals from diverse backgrounds achieve their career goals. Since 2008, we have created opportunities for people in Australia and around the world.

Our Difference

What sets us apart is that we genuinely care about your career development. That’s why flexible study schedules, competitive pricing and exceptional customer and student support are at the heart of what we do. Our comprehensive courses, developed in consultation with industry employers, provide the skills and knowledge necessary for success in your current role or to pursue new opportunities.

Our state-of-the-art eLearning platform means you can study anywhere, anytime. So, enrol today and get the skills and confidence you need to achieve your career dreams, big or small.

Graduation

A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.

How to Enrol

You can enrol online by clicking Get Started on any course page under Enrol & Start Today. Follow the prompts to complete your enrolment as an individual, business, or service provider.

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Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)

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Course FAQs

Why choose Australian Online Courses?
  • Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
  • Improve your employment opportunities;
  • Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
  • High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
  • All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
  • Unlimited tutor support via email;
  • We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
  • Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.

There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18 with a competent level of English. For those under 18, please complete the Parent/Guardian Consent Form before enrolling.

To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.

You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!

Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.

BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.

Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.

Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.

This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.

No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.

Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.

Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.

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  • Enter the coupon code JUNE when enrolling.
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