University of Northern Iowa

Department of Social Work

ALCOHOLISM: 450:171g

Katherine van Wormer, MSSW, Ph.D. Office Hrs: 11:00-12:00 MTWTh. Here most afternoons.

Phone: 273-6379 Sabin 33

Course Description

To introduce students to social work practice with the alcoholic clients. The ecological framework will be utilized for studying the disease alcoholism and its treatment. Alcoholism will be approached in its biopsychosocial dimensions.

Learning Objectives

1. To acquire an understanding of alcoholism as a chronic problem and chronic disease. To recognize that relapse is not a failure but an expected phase of the withdrawal process. To develop a familiarity with the ecological model as a framework that identifies biopsychosocial components in alcoholism.

2. To develop familiarity with the major treatment modalities used today and to recognize that approaches should be individualized for clients.

3. To learn to focus on the here-and-now but never to the neglect of the past.

4. To recognize high possibility of recovery, though not cure, for alcoholism.

5. To acquire knowledge of alcoholism and drug dependency as a family disease so that interventions may include family members for best results. To discuss the role of the school in identifying and treating children in alcoholic homes.

6. To be familiar with the basic philosophy and principles of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al Anon.

7. To acquire knowledge of physiological aspects of alcoholism - addiction, withdrawal, blackouts, tolerance.

8. To develop a realistic appreciation for the field of alcoholism counseling as a newly emerging area of employment.

9. To develop a familiarity with the Code of Ethics adopted by the Iowa Board of Substance Abuse Certification. To know stringent requirements for confidentiality in this field.

10. To view the use of substances in cultural and international perspective. To be aware of special treatment needs of diverse populations in American society.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protection from discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities. Students with a disability, who require assistance, will need to contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) for coordination of academic accommodations. The ODS is located at 213 Student Services Center. Their phone number is 319/273-2676.

Instructional Plan

This course is concerned with why, how, how much, where, and when of alcohol consumption and treatment. The inquiring, attentive student should emerge from the course with more questions than answers but a determination to keep seeking knowledge on the nature of addiction and unique individual and cultural differences. For classroom learning to take place, there must be class discussion and tolerance for our differences. Likewise, there should be empathy and understanding for the personal pain that will be engendered in many of us coming as we may from alcoholic homes or presently involved in a close relationship with an alcoholic/addict. For many students, this course, because of the dynamic and meaningful content, will serve as a turning point in some unexpected way. Students can be tremendously helpful to other students in sharing their feelings and sudden overwhelming realizations.

Oral presentations will be on a special topic related to substance abuse. The presentation will be assigned when the subject matter is covered in class. Presentations are to be approximately 5-20 minutes per person in length. Usually 4-5 persons report as a group on a similar topic such as criminal justice and substance abuse, eating disorders, shopping, gambling addictions, steroids, etc. Reports are graded in terms of preparation, originality and contribution to the learning experience. Please use note cards and/or overheads, video excerpts, posters, etc. Do not read your report. Turn in the last card with your name and references on it. The card will later be returned with your grade. Topics will be cleared with the instructor in advance.

Part I - Intro, Preface, van Wormer

1. The Ecological Approach to Alcoholism Treatment

2. The Historical Context

3. The Contemporary Context

4. The Biology of Alcoholism

5. Alcoholism as a Way of Thinking

6. Loss and Grief and Spiritual Healing

7. Special Groups: men, women, African-, Hispanic-, Native- Americans, Gays and Lesbians, young, old

8. Family

9. Group Therapy

10. The Economic, Sociological and Legal Dynamics

11. General Social Work with the Alcoholic Client

12. Epilogue

Handout: Code of Ethics, IBSAC

van Wormer, K. (1995). Alcoholism Treatment: A Social Work Perspective. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

1. Midterm exam (essay) 1/3

2. Final exam (essay) 1/3

3. Oral presentation 1/6

4. Class Preparation 1/6

Includes attendance and reading as demonstrated in response to questions

on the text. Sample: Why is the word illness used instead of disease?

93-100 = A For extra credit, read:

90-92 = A- McCourt, Angela’s Ashes

87-89 = B+ James Agee, A Death in the Family