The Impact of a Post-Master's Program in Substance Abuse on Social Work and Other Health Professionals.
TL;DR: The results of this study indicate that completion of a comprehensive, long-term substance abuse training program not only increases clinicians' knowledge about substance abuse issues, but also impacts positively on their attitudes and behavior.
Abstract: Substance abuse is a major problem encountered by social workers in all settings. This study investigated the impact of a postmaster's program in the treatment of substance-abusing clients on the domains of “Attitudes and Values,” “Knowledge and Skills,” and “Behaviors” of its graduates. Overall, 91 percent of respondents found the program to be professionally beneficial to them. Significant increases were shown on all items in the Knowledge and Skills Scale and the Behavior Scale. Among the greatest changes reflected in the Attitudes and Values Scale were increases in respondents' desire to add substance-abusing clients to their caseloads, their belief for good recovery prognosis, and their comfort level in being considered a substance abuse specialist. The results of this study indicate that completion of a comprehensive, long-term substance abuse training program not only increases clinicians' knowledge about substance abuse issues, but also impacts positively on their attitudes and behavior t...
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TL;DR: Overall, attitudes towards harm reduction approaches for opioid use disorder shifted favorably following the course module, and this trend remained consistent despite treatment orientation and having a family history of substance use.
Abstract: Background: This study evaluates the degree to which a harm reduction intervention course module impacted Master of Social Work (MSW) students’ knowledge and attitudes towards addressing opioid use disorder issues and clients. Methods: Using a mixed-methods approach, data from 124 MSW students were collected between 2011 and 2015. Students completed a 3-hour course module that focused on harm reduction philosophy and interventions specifically for opioid use disorders. Students completed pre- and posttest of the Harm Reduction Attitude Scale. Students were also engaged in focus groups to gain a better understanding of how and if their knowledge and attitudes changed. Results: Overall, attitudes towards harm reduction approaches for opioid use disorder shifted favorably following the course module. Paired t-test results show a statistically significant difference in the mean scores for pretest attitudes (M = 2.64, SD = 0.16) and posttest attitudes (M = 2.86, SD = 0.12) among social work students. T...
15 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors highlight the urgent need for schools of social work to effectively train students to serve clients with substance addictions in the field of service among those with alcohol and other drug addictions.
Abstract: Trends in the field of service among those with alcohol and other drug addictions highlight the urgent need for schools of social work to effectively train students to serve clients with substance ...
14 citations
Cites background from "The Impact of a Post-Master's Progr..."
...…social workers learned about working with substance-abusing clients as part of their field education, especially because training on substance abuse can improve the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of clinicians who work with individuals with substance abuse problems (Straussner & Vairo, 2007)....
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TL;DR: Studies have shown that substance abuse training makes social workers feel more competent in dealing with this population and it also increases the identification, referral, and referral of substance abuse disorders.
Abstract: According to the latest government data, approximately 22.3 million persons 12 years or older, or 9% of the population, meet the diagnostic criteria for substance dependence or abuse (Substance Abu...
11 citations
Cites background from "The Impact of a Post-Master's Progr..."
...Studies have shown that substance abuse training makes social workers feel more competent in dealing with this population (Amodeo, 2000; Straussner & Vairo, 2007)....
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TL;DR: The majority of respondents felt that teaching and learning on AOD use should be a higher priority for their qualifying social work programmes, and significant variation in what is taught and the depth of coverage was revealed.
Abstract: Alcohol and other drug (AOD) use is a common feature of modern social work practice. Concerns about the problematic use of such substances cross all areas of social work practice, including adults' and children's social care. In England, surveys have highlighted social workers' experiences of AOD education during their qualifying social work training. However, this study sought the perspectives of the social work educators. Its primary aim was to explore the nature and extent of education on AODs on the qualifying social work programmes in England. Using an online survey tool, all qualifying social work programme leads were invited to take part (n = 157). Fewer than half responded (40%, n = 63). Initial findings appeared positive suggesting that 94% of responding qualifying programmes provided some teaching and learning on AODs. Further analysis revealed significant variation in what is taught and the depth of coverage. It highlighted a lack of consistency across programmes and possible over-reporting. Ho...
11 citations
Additional excerpts
...…(Galvani, Hutchinson, & Dance, 2013; Hohman, Clapp, & Carrilio, 2006) or current training needs (Galvani, Hutchinson, &Dance, 2012; Hall, Amodeo, Shaffer, & Vander Bilt, 2000) and the impact of AOD education on social workers’ practice (Amodeo, Fassler, & Griffith, 2002; Straussner & Vairo, 2007)....
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639 citations
TL;DR: The areas of assessment, advanced clinical techniques, and dual diagnosis as priorities for future training among social workers working in substance abuse treatment facilities in New England are identified.
Abstract: This article describes the results of an assessment of the substance abuse treatment training needs of social workers working in randomly selected substance abuse treatment facilities in New England. This assessment revealed that clinical supervision related to substance abuse treatment had not been available to a significant percentage of the respondents throughout their careers. Despite limited previous training experience and considerable barriers to current training, social workers surveyed in this study reported significantly higher levels of knowledge and skill than other substance abuse treatment providers in 10 of 12 substance abuse treatment areas investigated. Despite these high levels of knowledge and skill, respondents reported considerable need for and interest in additional substance abuse treatment training. This study identified the areas of assessment, advanced clinical techniques, and dual diagnosis as priorities for future training among social workers working in substance abuse treatment facilities.
80 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Continuing education is a useful tool to facilitate the adoption of attitudes necessary for effective response to addicted persons if supervisors help in setting goals, removing obstacles, and facilitating workers' efforts to incorporate into practice what they learn in the training classroom.
Abstract: Abuse of alcohol or other drugs is at the root of many child welfare problems, yet most workers receive little academic training to cope with these difficulties in their clients. Continuing education is a useful tool to facilitate the adoption of attitudes necessary for effective response to addicted persons. Workers may not approach continuing education with an eye to identifying specific opportunities for changing their practice, however, and impediments in the workplace make implementing change difficult. Continuing education is most effective if supervisors help in setting goals, removing obstacles, and facilitating workers' efforts to incorporate into practice what they learn in the training classroom.
61 citations
TL;DR: Social workers who completed a 9-month substance abuse training program were significantly more likely than comparisons to work with substance-abusing clients, have “substance abuse”-related roles, and obtain high ratings of optimism, confidence, and competence after training.
Abstract: This study examines the influence of substance abuse training on social workers in nonaddiction treatment settings. Eighty-one Masters level social workers who completed a 9-month training program were compared with a matched sample of 78 Masters level social workers who did not enroll, with supervisors as collateral informants. Subjects and supervisors were blind to the purpose of the study. Measures included behavior, clinical skills, and self-rated attitudes. After training, trainees were significantly more likely than comparisons to 1) work with substance-abusing clients, 2) have "substance abuse"-related roles, 3) seek jobs that increased their opportunities to work with substance-abusing clients, 4) assess and intervene with substance abuse, and 5) obtain high ratings of optimism, confidence, and competence.
55 citations