Class Descriptions

Cultural Issues in the Delivery of OUD/SUD Treatment

SW704

Credits:	1
Prerequisites:	None

Pathway Associations

Community Change
Global
Interpersonal Practice	Elective (Host)
Mgmt & Leadership
Policy & Political
Program Evaluation
Older Adults
Children & Families

Course Description

In this mini course, students will explore cultural issues in the assessment and treatment of Opioid Use Disorders/Substance Use Disorders. Students will examine the effect of culture on the initiation, use, and abuse of substances. Socio-cultural beliefs can shape an individual’s approach to behavior regarding substance use and abuse. A special focus will be on emerging practices that support positive outcomes for diverse cultural groups, in prevention OUD/SUD, accessing services, engaging and completing treatment programs related to OUD/SUD.

Objectives

● This course will address the cultural issues, barriers, strengths and needs that may arise in substance use treatment settings.
● Students will gain an understanding of the potential strengths and limitations of implementation methods for cultural competence in SUD/OUD practice and will engage in a critical analysis of the available literature.
● Students will review epidemiological data specific to the prevalence of SUD/OUD and utilization trends for diverse cultural and identity groups.
● Concepts relating to race, ethnicity, racial and intergenerational trauma and the clinical relevance to SUD/OUD will be discussed.
● Student will acquire a series of generalizable self-assessment, and organizational assessment and intervention tools that can be applied flexibly to address cultural needs across a myriad of clinical contexts aimed at addressing substance use and opioid use disorder.
● Students will also gain knowledge and examples of culture-specific interventions, and how inclusion of one's culture in treatment can improve accessibility, retention and outcomes for individuals in substance use treatment.
● Cultural and linguistic barriers will be addressed with specific attention to culturally accessible treatment for opioid use disorder. Students will develop an understanding of the unique impact of culture within substance use treatment contexts.
● Students will gain knowledge and skills relating to the application of evidence-based strategies to improve cultural competence in SUD/OUD practice settings.

Design

A variety of engaged and collaborative learning methods will be used to promote skill development including interactive lectures with active student participation, readings, in-class application exercises, role plays, practice clinical scenarios, and quizzes. Understanding core class concepts and the ability to apply these concepts will be emphasized.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self-knowledge and self-awareness to facilitate PODS learning