Addiction Studies

The best therapeutic assistance to addicts can be given by those who have a specialist knowledge and direct experience of the behavioral psychology of addicts. For this reason the Humaniversity offers these experiential elective studies which are taught by therapists who are highly practiced in the treatment of addicts.

Addictive behavior is a serious international phenomenon and extends beyond substance abuse to patterns such as anorexia, bulimia, and gambling. The cost to society is substantial - it includes the loss of economic and socio/cultural contribution by the addict and extends to the cost of medical and social support services, as well as the burdens on family and loved ones.

There is a need for research and education in addiction studies and for the development of an addiction treatment program, as offered by the Humaniversity, which is curative, cost-effective, oriented toward the addict's social rehabilitation and self-efficacy.

Experience from the United States and Europe especially, has demonstrated that the residential "Therapeutic Community" (T.C.) is a highly effective and successful method and environment for both the treatment of addicts and the training of addiction specialists. Essentially the addictive substance or behavior is replaced with satisfying human contact. The Humaniversity has modified the original conventional model of the T.C. to give special emphasis to the learning of the values of responsibility, friendship and co-operation.

The two main dimensions of studies are:

ADDICTION SPECIALIST TRAINING

This training is designed for ex-addicts and professionals who work closely with people and who want to expand their skills into the area of addiction treatment and to get recognition by the government. The focus is on working with addicts in the residential setting of the College of Communal Living, which is based on the structure of a therapeutic community.

During these residential studies the students learns to apply practical clinical information in the treatment program, consisting of a multi-symptomatic group of participants. This is done under the close super-vision of experienced therapists and Addiction Specialists. As a caretaker of the weekly Addiction Workshop the student will learn to relate to the addicts on a practical and personal level with empathy, emotional honesty, and professional authenticity. Additionally, the student will participate in seven weekend workshops in order to experience and stay in touch with his own process and gain more personal awareness in working with people. The topics of these workshops are:
 

Participation in the Bachelors Program will teach the student to develop his professional skills and how to acquire a multi-therapeutic approach. During ten weekend workshops, in the function of a Senior on training staff, he learns specific skills related to topics concerning addiction treatment. During the week, he will attend addiction seminars on medical and pharmaceutical aspects, detoxification, prevention, treatment, After-care, history of drug use in different cultures, the criminal aspect, therapeutic community management and different approaches to addiction treatment providing theoretical and basic information about the field of addiction work.After successful completion the Senior will be able to work with addicts under supervision either within the setting of the Humaniversity or in other rehabilitation centres or therapeutic communities.

Further studies lead to the degree of the Bachelor of Humaniversity Psychology, specialising in Addiction Studies, and the title Addiction Specialist.

The Addiction Specialist will be able to work as a counsellor to individuals and groups on addiction issues, and as staff in a Therapeutic Community or other treatment facility. In relation to individuals, especially addicts, he will be able to offer a diagnosis of the individual's personal circumstances in relation to his addiction, offer Humaniversity Therapy treatment techniques in a clinical setting under supervision, and offer other options available for his treatment. In relation to families and community groups he will be able to offer education and support; this can extend to the establishment of community orientation centres for the purpose of creating more social awareness and information about addiction issues.

Further studies to Master's or Doctor's degree are possible.

Ask now for the STUDY PLANS and for the Addiction Studies Elective Booklet. Call +31-72-5064114 or e-mail us.

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Dr Wiardi Beckmanlaan 4, 1931 BW Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands
Tel: +31-72-506 4114 Fax: +31-72-506 1844
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