Lesson 1Risk assessment and safety planning: overdose risk, acute intoxication signs, suicidality, intimate partner risk, financial harm assessmentThis section covers systematic risk assessment for overdose, acute intoxication, suicidality, violence, and financial harm, and teaches how to create collaborative, practical safety plans that integrate crisis resources, monitoring, and documentation duties.
Screening overdose and acute intoxication riskAssessing suicidality and self-harm in contextEvaluating intimate partner and family violence riskIdentifying financial exploitation and gambling harmsDeveloping and documenting safety plansLesson 2Standardised instruments and screening tools: AUDIT, DAST-10, ASSIST, CAGE-AID, PHQ-9, GAD-7, SOGS/PGSI, Timeline Follow-Back (substance and gambling)This section introduces key screening and assessment tools for substance and behavioural addictions and co-occurring disorders, and explains selection, scoring, interpretation, and integration of results into diagnostic formulations and treatment planning.
Selecting tools for setting and populationUsing AUDIT, DAST-10, ASSIST, and CAGE-AIDUsing PHQ-9 and GAD-7 for comorbid symptomsUsing SOGS and PGSI for gambling problemsTimeline Follow-Back for substance and gambling useLesson 3Comprehensive substance use history: quantity, frequency, patterns, routes, polydrug use, withdrawal signs, tolerance, binge episodesThis section teaches how to obtain a detailed substance use history, including onset, quantity, frequency, routes, patterns, polydrug use, tolerance, withdrawal, and binge episodes, while minimising shame and maximising accuracy and clinical utility.
Documenting onset, progression, and contextsAssessing quantity, frequency, and routes of useIdentifying polydrug patterns and interactionsEvaluating tolerance, withdrawal, and blackoutsExploring binge episodes and loss of controlLesson 4Collateral information and consent: when and how to obtain collateral data, limits of confidentiality, release formsThis section details when and how to seek collateral information from family, partners, and other providers, clarifies confidentiality limits, and explains informed consent, release forms, and managing conflicting reports in a respectful, ethical manner.
Indications for obtaining collateral dataExplaining limits of confidentiality to clientsDesigning clear, specific release of information formsBalancing client autonomy with safety concernsReconciling discrepant collateral and client reportsLesson 5Psychiatric and medical history: mood symptoms, anxiety, sleep, trauma, suicidality, family history of SUD, medical risks of stimulant and alcohol useThis section reviews how to obtain a thorough psychiatric and medical history, including mood, anxiety, sleep, trauma, suicidality, family SUD patterns, and medical complications of alcohol, stimulants, and other substances relevant to risk and treatment.
Screening mood, anxiety, and psychotic symptomsAssessing trauma exposure and PTSD symptomsEvaluating suicidality and self-harm historyFamily history of SUD and psychiatric disordersMedical risks of alcohol, stimulants, and opioidsLesson 6Goal-directed brief intake structure: structuring first 2–3 sessions, prioritised questions, documentation templates, red flags requiring urgent referralThis section outlines how to structure the first two to three intake sessions, prioritise questions, manage time, identify red flags requiring urgent referral, and use templates to ensure consistent documentation and risk communication.
Planning the first three intake encountersPrioritizing questions under time constraintsRecognizing red flags requiring urgent actionUsing structured intake and note templatesCommunicating findings to the care teamLesson 7Functional assessment: occupational, relationship, legal, housing, social support, daily routine, leisure activitiesThis section explains how to evaluate functioning across work, relationships, legal status, housing, social networks, daily structure, and leisure, linking impairments to substance or behavioural addictions and identifying strengths that can support recovery.
Assessing occupational and academic impairmentEvaluating intimate and family relationship strainScreening for legal problems and justice involvementHousing stability, homelessness, and environmental risksSocial support mapping and daily routine analysisLesson 8Behavioural addiction assessment: gambling history, types (sports betting), losses, time spent, triggers, chasing, concealment, financial consequencesThis section focuses on structured assessment of behavioural addictions, including gambling and digital behaviours, exploring onset, patterns, triggers, chasing, concealment, losses, functional impact, and financial consequences to guide diagnosis and treatment.
Documenting gambling and betting historyAssessing time spent, losses, and chasing behaviorIdentifying triggers, urges, and high-risk contextsEvaluating concealment, lying, and relationship harmAssessing financial impact, debt, and legal risks
