Professional/Short course Dual Diagnosis: Substance Misuse and Mental Health

Entry year
2024/25
Course code
UZZRQ8203
Application
University
Level
Professional/Short Course
School
School of Health and Social Wellbeing
Campus
Glenside
Duration
One semester
Delivery
Primarily face-to-face
Course Director
Simon Hall

20 credit level 6 or level 7 module

Page last updated 12 October 2023

Introduction

You may be able to study these modules at Level 6 (BSc level) or Level 7 (Masters level) depending on your academic circumstances. Please contact the CPD Team or the Module Leader for advice if you are unsure which level would be best for you.

The aim of this 20 credit Dual Diagosis: Substance Misuse and Mental Health module is to improve your knowledge and confidence to deliver improved holistic client-centred integrated care.

The module includes a two day clinical placement of your choice, which you will need to organise, which will support your own identified learning needs.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

At level 6 (UZZRQ8-20-3)

  • Define the term dual diagnosis
  • Demonstrate an understanding of national policies, frameworks, guidance and evidence based practice for practitioners working with dual diagnosis
  • Discuss the inter-relationship between mental health and substance misuse
  • Critically analyse the integrated treatment model and its application to practice
  • Demonstrate an understanding of working with those who have a dual diagnosis, their families and carers. This may include recovery capital, challenging stigma, legal and ethical aspects of care and partnership working

At level 7 (UZZRSM-20-M):

  • Interrogate the policy context and imperatives underpinning the notion of Dual. Diagnosis, from a national and international perspective
  • Critically evaluate the interrelationship between mental disorders and substance misuse
  • Critically evaluate evidence underpinning care provision for people with both mental disorders and substance use
  • Critically evaluate the utilisation of assessment and risk management tools and evidence based interventions in planning effective care for people with both mental disorders and substance use
  • Critically review the skills required to work with this client group in developing high quality care.

Entry requirements

You must have:

  • one year plus experience working in any area of substance misuse work or mental health work
  • 60 credits at level 2 in a related area or equivalent

Careers / Further study

The module can contribute towards:

At level 6

  • BSc(Hons) Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
  • BSc(Hons) Health and Social Care
  • MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
  • MSc Advanced Practice
  • Professional Development Award

At level 7

  • MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
  • MSc Advanced Practice
  • Professional Development Awards

Structure

Content

This module has an emphasis on the integration of substance misuse interventions into co-existing mental health care delivery. It does cover common co-existing conditions, but does not cover standalone mental health diagnosis and interventions.

The syllabus will typically cover the following:

  • Outline alcohol and drug prevalence in the UK, reasons for use, the progression of dependency, and the desired and undesired effects of alcohol and drugs.
  • Define dual diagnosis, the relationship between mental health and substance use.
  • Examine common co-existing mental health and substance misuse presentations, which include cannabis and psychosis, alcohol and mood , stimulant and novel psychoactive substances (Legal Highs)
  • Assessment, screening tools and brief interventions
  • An integrated approach covering medical, social, psychosocial and psychotherapeutic aspects of care. Frameworks will include the Cognitive-Behavioural Integrated Treatment Approach (C-BIT) from the UK and the New Hampshire Model of Integrated Care from the US.
  • An evidence informed approach, framed by a stage-wise model. This would will include engagement strategies, building motivation for change, active treatment and relapse prevention. Harm reduction/minimisation as a risk management strategy; therapeutic risk taking.
  • Pharmacological interventions.
  • National guidance, such as NICE guidelines and national policies.
  • Collaborative working with users and carers/significant others.
  • Explore the integration of recovery capital and peer working into mental health services
  • Legal and ethical aspects of care delivery, supervision, outcome measurements and service innovation.

Learning and Teaching

A variety of approaches will be used which may include:

  • Practice experience
  • Clinical skills
  • Workshops
  • Lectures and Seminars
  • Enquiry based learning
  • Case based learning

Study time

A total of 48 hours in the form of seminars, lectures and online activities which will enhance classroom learning.

Assessment

At level 6 (undergraduate level):

A 3,000 word written assignment which will be based on a clinical case(s) who present with a dual diagnosis. Incorporated in this will be a critical evaluation of the key theoretical components and its application to your clinical case.

At level 7 (Masters level):

A 15 minute presentation and 5 minutes of questions based on a case study, maximising the application of evidence based interventions covered in this module.

Plus a 1,000 word supporting paper complementing the presentation incorporating national and international evidence informed interventions, policies and guidelines should be integrated and critically appraised. 

This supporting paper will reflect on your innovation in practice and personal development.

Features

Study facilities

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Get a feel for the Health Professions facilities we have on offer here from wherever you are.

Prices and dates

Supplementary fee information

Please visit full fee information to see the price brackets for our modules.

Please note: Priority will be given to applications received through our funded educational contracts.  Places on this module will be limited for applications received outside of this funding.  Please check with your employer as a funded contract place may still be available to support your learning.

Dates

Please click on the Apply Now button to view dates.

How to apply

How to apply

Please click on the Apply Now button to apply for your CPD module, which you can take as a stand-alone course or as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate (Masters level) programme.

Please note: Priority will be given to applications received through our funded educational contracts.  Places on this module will be limited for applications received outside of this funding.  Please check with your employer as a funded contract place may still be available to support your learning.

Extra information

If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.

For further information