Bringing Recovery to Diverse Populations

COM HLT X 470.4

This course explores the fundamental impact of cross-cultural counseling of substance abuse and dependent individuals.

What you can learn.

Define the impact of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, and other socio-economic factors on the development and progression of alcohol/drug problems
Examine commonly encountered cultural obstacles to traditional chemical dependency counseling
Identify new ways to culturally enrich existing counseling services and when to refer to alternative culturally specific treatment programs

About this course:

This course provides exposure to the fundamentals of cross-cultural counseling of substance-abusing and dependent individuals. The cultural impact of race, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, and socio-economic status on the development and progression of substance use disorders is explored. In addition, commonly encountered cultural obstacles to traditional chemical dependency counseling are examined. Suggestions are offered on how to culturally enrich existing counseling services and when to refer to alternative culturally specific treatment programs. This course also explores clinical aspects and current trends in the prevention and treatment of such diseases as tuberculosis; hepatitis A, B, and C; and HIV/AIDS. Topics include current issues in epidemiology, psychosocial issues and strategies to help clients, treatment planning for the whole person (not just the disease), culturally competent intervention, harm reduction strategies, and special counseling needs of HIV and other critically ill patients.