Professional Diploma in Addiction Studies

Our Addiction course is delivered as follows:

Week 1: Meaning and Nature. Multiple conceptions of addiction in current practice, reflecting more than substance-related issues. Addiction and Psychiatry

Week 2: Current neuro-biological, psychological, sociological and cultural understanding of the causes of addiction. Overview of different theoretical positions in conceptualising addiction (i.e. Medical, Religious, Psychological etc.)

Week 3: Focus on disease models of addiction

Week 4: Understanding addiction from a psychoanalytic perspective

Week 5: The bio-psycho-social model

Week 6: Overview of treatments of addiction: Psychotherapeutic, Pharmacological, etc

Week 7: Focus on conditioning models of treatment: Behaviourism, contingency management; cognitive-behavioural models of treatment: Self –regulation, relapse prevention; Emotion-regulation and mindfulness-based models of treatment

Week 8: Stages of change in the treatment of Addiction

Week 9: Addictive behaviours from the perspective of family systems theory

Week 10: Impact of addictive behaviours on society: health, culture and criminality – the Irish context

The details given above for the Addiction course are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to change from time to time. The reason for this includes curriculum enhancement, staff changes, student numbers, improvements in technology, changes to placements or regulatory or external body requirements.

*Course content is subject to review after each intake and may be updated in line with industry standards.

Designed for practitioners across diverse fields, this Addiction course is ideal for those looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in addressing addiction, as well as for anyone seeking to understand this complex condition more deeply.

A City College Dublin’s Professional Diploma Course is a focused, practical programme designed and delivered by an industry practitioner, that consolidates, upskills or reskills learners in a professional area. They are stand-alone qualifications that indicate that you have been trained in a particular area or specific subject matter.

City College Dublin Diplomas are suitable for career minded learners wishing to advance their professional skills and prospects. They are widely accepted by employers and many students are sponsored to study here by their organisation.

In addition to our scheduled Professional Diploma courses, City College Dublin can provide bespoke training over 3 – 4 days, please contact [email protected] for further details.

This addiction course can support progression into further education or roles within health, social care and community support services that work with individuals affected by addiction.