What you will experience

Unit 1: An introduction to alcohol and substance misuse.

Unit 2: This unit explores how different drugs affect brain chemistry and the reasons why people take them. Learners look at how they are categorised and learn about the short- and long-term risks they pose for users. The unit covers legal drugs such as alcohol and nicotine as well as illegal forms such as cannabis and cocaine.

Unit 3: In this Unit learners identify the reasons why people take drugs and examine their own attitude to drug users. You will explore patterns of behaviour, types of addiction and how to spot the signs of misuse and the symptoms of withdrawal. Throughout this Unit, misuse refers to the use of illegal drugs and the misuse of substances such as alcohol, solvents and prescribed drugs.

Unit 4: This Unit encourages learners to apply what they have learned in the course so far to their work, and helps identify the effects of combining substances with medication whilst describing the importance of offering non-judgemental support when necessary. It goes on to explain how risk assessments play a part in supporting service users and provides guidance on advising people about minimising the risks of misuse. The course concludes by providing information and guidance about the implications of service users misusing substances, and how to access support and advisory services on behalf of people in your care.