Welcome to our Diploma in Addiction Studies. Get a comprehensive overview of current thinking and practice in the area of addictive behaviours and substance use/abuse.
CPD Credits
9 CPD credits for members of the Psychological Society of Ireland
Diploma in Addiction Studies Course Overview
This diploma in addiction studies course gives a comprehensive overview of current thinking and practice in the area of addictive behaviours and substance use/abuse. It focuses on the historical evolution of the various conceptualisations of addiction, the underlying causes attributed to the development and maintenance of addictive behaviours, models for understanding patterns of addiction and the treatments of addiction associated with those models. It further addresses the impact of addictive behaviours on society in terms of health, culture and criminality, paying particular attention to the Irish context.
The course would be of interest to practitioners in a wide variety of disciplines (Psychology, Social Care, etc.) who may wish to deepen their knowledge of current thinking in addiction studies, to those who may be considering future study in the area of addictive behaviours and wish to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the area, and indeed, anyone who wishes to learn more about this pervasive and disabling condition.
Diploma in Addiction Studies Course Content and Delivery
Week 1: Meaning and Nature. Multiple conceptions of addiction in current practice, reflecting more than substance-related issues. Addiction and Psychiatry
Week 2: Current neuro-biological, psychological, sociological and cultural understanding of the causes of addiction. Overview of different theoretical positions in conceptualising addiction (i.e. Medical, Religious, Psychological etc.)
Week 3: Focus on disease models of addiction
Week 4: Understanding addiction from a psychoanalytic perspective
Week 5: The bio-psycho-social model
Week 6: Overview of treatments of addiction: Psychotherapeutic, Pharmacological, etc
Week 7: Focus on conditioning models of treatment: Behaviourism, contingency management; cognitive-behavioural models of treatment: Self –regulation, relapse prevention; Emotion-regulation and mindfulness-based models of treatment
Week 8: Stages of change in the treatment of Addiction
Week 9: Addictive behaviours from the perspective of family systems theory
Week 10: Impact of addictive behaviours on society: health, culture and criminality – the Irish context
The details given above are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to change from time to time for reasons which include curriculum enhancement, staff changes, student numbers, improvements in technology, changes to placements or regulatory or external body requirements.
Timetables
10 weeks, one evening per week from 6.30 to 9.30pm
Course Assessment
A pass grade on the written assignment will be required for awarding of the Diploma.
The assignment/project must be handed in on the due date unless a sound reason for lateness is provided. In such instances, an extension may be awarded at the discretion of the lecturer.
Lecturer
Dr. Aoife Quinn
Dr Aoife Quinn completed a BA in Psychology at National University of Maynooth followed by a PhD at the School of Psychology, University College Dublin.
In 2014, Aoife was awarded an Enterprise Partnership Scholarship by the Irish Research Council.
As a member of the City Colleges faculty, Aoife teaches the Sport and Exercise Psychology, Counselling Psychology and Addiction Studies diplomas.
Alongside her lecturing work, Aoife runs a private psychology practice in South Dublin and sees clients from a range of settings including sport and the corporate world. She is passionate about the benefits of psychology for changing lives and is particularly interested in mental wellbeing, motivation, and performance.
Course Overview
Here more about the course from lecturer, Dr. Aoife Quinn.
Fees
Classroom Based
€995
Paying the course fee in instalments
€1,095
Online
€895
Paying the course fee in instalments
€995
Non EU Students
Call +353 1 4160034
If paying in instalments by direct debit, the deposit to book a place is €150 and the balance is split into three equal monthly payments.
Why City Colleges
- Courses for students who are passionate about their subject, delivered by leaders in their field.
- Live lectures which are also streamed live on Moodle and recorded for review
- City centre location in South Great George’s Street, convenient for bus, LUAS, DART
- Southside Dublin, Ireland location
- Study rooms and library in our City Centre location in Dublin, Ireland
- Limited class size
- Parking
City Colleges 
Ashfield College
Progressive College
City Language School