Drug and Alcohol Counsellor

 

On the journey helping others, meet yourself on the road of life. The Drug and Alcohol Counsellor program will teach you ethical principles, counselling techniques, and theory to meet client needs--and along the way, you'll learn more about yourself.

 

Program Highlights

During the first semester of your educational journey, you'll learn the fundamentals of the human experience and communities, such as interpersonal relationships,social behaviour ,aboriginal history and culture as well as an introduction to the field of addictions. Addictions counselling , group process, leadership skills, field and career orientation ,social psychology and pharmacology will be your focus in second semester. Third semester couses focus on abnormal psychology, the legal and ethical aspects of counselling, group counselling the management of addictions, as well as advanced issues in addictions with a special emphasis on concurrent disorders and gambling. In your final semester, you will practice what you have learned in the previous three semesters in a relevant and rewarding province- wide field placement.

 

Word from the Workplace

"My experience during this program was fantastic. It was worth every minute. My goal of making a career change into this field worked like a dream for me. When I graduated, I was prepared, because of what I learned at Fleming College. If I had a choice of any job, this is the one I would choose." Rick Mayoh
Trauma and Addictions Counsellor
Tungasuvvingat Inuit Mamisarvik Healing Centre, Ottawa

 

Why Choose Fleming?

Fleming's Drug and Alcohol Counsellor program offers unique, broad-based training which enables graduates to work in areas that used to be available only to youth workers or social workers. You also have the opportunity to complete a four-year degree in the field through the University of Lethbridge.

Aboriginal Emphasis Initiative
Fleming College's Aboriginal Emphasis Initative is an inclusive approach to providing more understanding of Aboriginal peoples, communities and nations. You will have an opportunity to take courses designed from an Aboriginal perspective with emphasis on Aboriginal peoples, history, spirituality and culture. See the Aboriginal Emphasis Initiative  page for courses available in this program.

 

Work Experience

Take your classroom experience on the road -- and apply it to one of many field placement opportunities across the province in Semester 4. Agencies may require a current police records check available from your local police department upon payment of a fee. You may also be required to provide a current Standard First Aid Certificate, a current Basic CPR Certificate (level C) and Proof of Immunization.

 

What it Takes to Succeed

• empathy toward people "on the fringe"
• crisis management skills
• the ability to work as part of a team
• emotional maturity

 

Career Opportunities

You'll find work in withdrawal management and residential facilities, in shelters, and with assessment and referral agencies. as counsellors, case managers, therapists and relief staff.  In particular, Aboriginal students are encouraged to consider this program, as First Nations communities are acknowledging a need for addictions counselling.

 

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12) 

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted. 

Mature Students 

If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.

* Students starting in January are required to attend classes over the summer semester.

 

Selection Process

 

Related Programs

Interested in other helping professions? You might also consider the Social Service Worker program.

 

Health Requirements

Immunization Requirements

This program has immunization requirements. For more information, and to print the required immunization form, please see the Immunization Information page.

 

Additional Costs

You should plan to spend approximately $700 per year for books and supplies.

 

University Transfer Agreements

• Athabasca University
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Aboriginal History and Culture	45.00
Communications for Community Development & Health	45.00
Human Growth and Development	45.00
Introduction to Addictions	45.00
Introduction to Helping Relationships	45.00
Introduction to Psychology	45.00
Introductory Computing	45.00
Semester 2
Addictions Counselling	45.00
Communicating at Work	45.00
Field Preparation I	30.00
Group and Leadership Development	45.00
Pharmacology Related to Addictions	45.00
Social Psychology	45.00
Semester 3
Abnormal Psychology	45.00
Advanced Group Work	45.00
Advanced Issues in Addiction	45.00
Ethics for Helping Professions	45.00
Field Preparation II	30.00
Management of Addictions	45.00
Program Electives: Choose One of:   Community Development 45.00   Lifestyle/Wellness 45.00
Semester 4
Field Work Experience	525.00

Semester 1

Aboriginal History and Culture

Course Number: GNED049

This course focuses on the study of First Nations peoples in the Americas (Turtle Island), from a First Nations perspective. Study will encompass the historical, cultural, and political realities of aboriginal America. This course will respect the oral traditions of First Nations peoples as much as possible.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Communications for Community Development & Health

Course Number: COMM079

Communications for CD&H, a mandatory Communications course, focuses on improving reading and writing skills through a number of assignments related to the helping professions. Students will demonstrate skills in summary and essay writing as well as research techniques, including appropriate documentation of sources. The principles of style, structure, content, and mechanics constitute the overall framework of the course.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Human Growth and Development

Course Number: SOCI025

This course is designed to give the student a basic understanding of the normal patterns of growth and development at various stages within the life cycle from infancy through to old age. The major theories of development will be examined to enhance understanding of this field of study.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introduction to Addictions

Course Number: COUN016

This course is intended to provide the learner with foundation principles and knowledge in the area of addictions. It is a core course in the Drug and Alcohol Counsellor program and a pre-requisite for upper level courses in semester three.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introduction to Helping Relationships

Course Number: SOCI034

This course provides students with an overview of introductory theory and skill pertaining to the helping relationship process. Specifically, students will acquire an understanding and acquisition of skills related to attending, listening, non-verbal and verbal observation and assessment, constructive feedback, and conducting a basic interview session. The course will focus on developing student self-awareness of effective interaction methods and will introduce students to cultural context communication issues.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introduction to Psychology

Course Number: SOCI036

This course offers a systematic approach to exploring human behaviour. The concepts and empirical findings are examined using a variety of theoretical approaches. Major topics include perception, motivation, learning, memory, intelligence, and personality.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introductory Computing

Course Number: COMP345

Working in the Windows XP environment, this computer course introduces the student to computer basics (computer terminology, e-mail, Internet, file management) and the application and use of word processing, spreadsheet, and database software. Through the extensive use of hands-on activities, students will gain sufficient knowledge and experience to make productive use of computers as a tool in both college and workplace environments.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 2

Addictions Counselling

Course Number: COUN001

This course incorporates research-based knowledge and current professional practices and skills to applied addiction counselling. This course builds upon skills and knowledge acquired in Introduction to Helping Relations and Introduction to Addictions. The course content will focus on Motivational Interviewing with an emphais on in-class practice. The two broad areas of study are on the application of addiction counselling skills with a strong focus on self and other awareness.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Communicating at Work

Course Number: COMM002

This course will enable you to continue to improve your general communication skills to meet the learning outcomes demanded by the assignments in this course, as well as the expectations of other subjects and eventual career employment. This course emphasizes concepts of critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they apply to processes fundamental to effective communication. You will continue to reinforce speaking, writing, reading, and listening techniques common to the expectations demanded by the work place of your career choice by applying, at a more sophisticated level, principles of style, structure, mechanics and techniques (for orals).

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Field Preparation I

Course Number: FLPL061

This course is intended to help guide students toward discerning their area of interest as it will related to the fourth-semester block field work experience placement. Students will increase the knowledge, insight, and understanding of their options for placement within an environment of drug and alcohol counselling. It is intended that Field Preparation II will follow up this introductory course.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Group and Leadership Development

Course Number: COUN014

This course introduces students to the field of group dynamics and offers a variety of applied learning experiences designed to enhance self awareness and develop competence in group leadership. The principles and practices within this course provide a foundation for community service work and can be applied to a variety of personal and professional contexts.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Pharmacology Related to Addictions

Course Number: COUN025

This course identifies the classifications and complications of mood-altering substances (including alcohol) and their related physiological and psychological effects.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Social Psychology

Course Number: SOCI059

This course is designed to assist students' personal development and understanding of social relationships in a culturally diverse world. The emphasis is on the development of social and interpersonal skills to foster effective work teams and personal relationships.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 3

Abnormal Psychology

Course Number: SOCI001

This course explores the difficulties in defining abnormal behaviour and develops skills in evaluating historical and current theoretical perspectives of abnormality. Issues relating to abnormality in our society today are examined after students are presented with the necessary knowledge to understand a variety of behaviours (and disorders) and their treatments. In order for a student to succeed in this course they need to have general knowledge of basic psychological theory, critical thinking skills, sound writing skills, and the ability to apply material to their field of choice.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Advanced Group Work

Course Number: COUN002

This course provides students with an opportunity to further develop group practice skills and leadership. In many facets of the helping profession, group counselling is understood to be central for recovery. This course is designed with the belief that students can best develop the necessary skills by participating in an authentic group process. To this end, active engagement in a group process, in addition to textual material, is seen as the best way to facilitate grounding in knowledge and experience.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Advanced Issues in Addiction

Course Number: COUN003

This course provides students with an opportunity to explore issues related to a number of themes in the addiction field. Through the use of contemporary readings and seminar presentations and discussions, students will explore the controversial nature of drug use, drug trends, police, prevention and treatment, and process addictions.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Ethics for Helping Professions

Course Number: COUN024

This course introduces students to ethical principles and concepts related to the helping professions. Contemporary issues in counselling and their ethical implications will be examined.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Field Preparation II

Course Number: FLPL065

This course will enable learners to assume responsibility for finalizing their fourth semester field practice experience. Based on the learning goals they have set in their personalized planning paper from Semester 2, learners will: 1. explore a variety of field practice settings; 2. select a preferred setting; 3. negotiate an appropriate set of field practice responsibilities; 4. get the approval of their field practice setting by the Field Preparation Course Instructor; 5. secure written confirmation of acceptance by the agency or organization of their choice.In addition, learners will identify and through specialized workshops and classroom presentations, explore a variety of issues specific to different placement settings and to professional deportment during their block field practice experience.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Management of Addictions

Course Number: SOCI041

This course combines knowledge- and skill-based counselling functions to complete the process of assessing and providing treatment in the continuum of care for clients with problems related to substance abuse.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Community Development

Course Number: COUN011

This course will enable the learner to develop an awareness of communities and the community development process. The learner will examine relevant community structures and resources and will include a study of significant community service and health care organizations, their roles and the dynamics within them: and between them and other organizations. In addition, learners will examine the organization, function and roles of various levels of government: the economic and social benefits of community and health care services: trends, issues, problems, and challenges in community services and health care delivery: boards and committees: volunteering and advocacy.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Lifestyle/Wellness

Course Number: SOCI068

A balanced lifestyle is referred to as wellness. The learner acquires skills and the ability to recognize components of wellness, to assess personal wellness, and to model a healthy lifestyle to others.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 4

Field Work Experience

Course Number: FLPL070

Students practice counselling skills while measuring the achievement of their learning objectives during performance within an approved drug and alcohol counselling agency setting. Due to the specialized nature of the Field Work Experience, students may be required to complete their work experience in locations beyond the Peterborough area.

Units: 525.00
Hours: 525.00