Understanding Substance Use

Designed for professionals working in substance use, health, social care and related fields, this course develops the critical knowledge needed to understand substance use from historical, biological, psychological, sociological and criminological perspectives. Participants will explore how evidence, theory and social context shape our understanding of substance use, addiction and dependence, enabling more informed professional practice.

The course examines patterns of substance use across different populations, the effects on individuals, families, communities and society, and the factors that influence substance use outcomes. By the end of the course, you will have a stronger understanding of the complex nature of substance use and the confidence to critically evaluate contemporary thinking that informs policy, practice and intervention.

To view the module descriptor (CDAS11005), please visit Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors 

 

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for professionals who want to build a strong foundation in understanding substance use and the factors that influence its impact on individuals and society.

It is particularly relevant for:

• Professionals working in drug and alcohol services
• Practitioners in health, social care, criminal justice and related sectors
• Individuals with a degree in social, health or related sciences seeking to develop specialist knowledge of substance use
• Professionals with relevant work experience who want to strengthen their understanding of addiction, dependence and contemporary perspectives on substance use
• Those preparing for further postgraduate study or career development in Contemporary Drug & Alcohol Studies

 

Why take this course?

Understanding substance use requires more than knowledge of drugs or addiction. Professionals increasingly need to interpret substance use through multiple perspectives, recognising how biological, psychological, social and environmental factors interact to influence behaviour, health and wellbeing. This broader understanding is essential for informing policy, improving practice and supporting more effective responses across health, social care, criminal justice and community settings.

This course helps you develop that perspective by exploring the history of substance use, concepts of addiction and dependence, patterns of consumption, and the impacts of substance use on individuals, families, communities and society. You will critically examine the evidence, theories and social contexts that shape contemporary understanding, strengthening your ability to evaluate research, inform professional decision-making and contribute to evidence-informed practice.

 

What you will learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Critically evaluate how substance use is understood from biological, psychological, sociological, criminological and other multidisciplinary perspectives
• Analyse patterns and prevalence of substance use across different populations and social contexts
• Assess the impacts of substance use on individuals, families, communities and wider society using contemporary evidence
• Evaluate how theories of addiction and dependence influence policy, professional practice and public understanding
• Apply evidence-informed thinking to support professional decision-making and develop a more nuanced understanding of substance use and its wider social implications

 

How you will learn

This course is delivered online, providing the flexibility to study alongside your professional commitments. Learning combines recorded lectures, online tutorials, asynchronous learning activities, personal development planning and independent study, enabling you to explore key concepts while engaging in discussion with academic staff and fellow participants.

The course comprises approximately 200 hours of learning, including 24 hours of lectures and core content delivery, 12 hours of tutorial and synchronous support, 36 hours of asynchronous class activity, 30 hours of personal development planning, and around 98 hours of independent study. Learning resources are provided through the University's virtual learning environment, supporting flexible, self-directed study.

This flexible online delivery model enables you to develop advanced specialist knowledge while balancing postgraduate study with the demands of professional practice.

 

Course content

• Foundations of substance use

Explore how substance use has evolved across different historical, cultural and social contexts, building a broad understanding of the concepts that underpin contemporary drug and alcohol studies.

• Understanding drugs and addiction

Examine psychoactive substances, theories of addiction and dependence, and the different disciplinary perspectives that shape how substance use is understood and explained.

• Patterns of use and population trends

Investigate how substance use varies across populations, considering the influence of factors such as age, gender, social class and ethnicity from local, national and international perspectives.

• Impacts on individuals and society

Consider the health, social and wider societal consequences of substance use for individuals, families, communities and the state, recognising the complexity of substance-related harms.

• Evidence and multidisciplinary perspectives

Critically evaluate research and theoretical perspectives drawn from biology, psychology, sociology and criminology to develop a balanced, evidence-informed understanding of substance use.

• Applying knowledge to professional practice

Explore how contemporary evidence and different models of substance use can inform professional judgement, policy development and effective practice across a range of settings.

 

Assessment

Assessment is designed to help you apply critical analysis and evidence-informed thinking to contemporary issues in substance use, demonstrating your ability to interpret research and communicate well-supported conclusions.

You will complete two complementary assessments: a critical annotated bibliography evaluating research relating to substance use, and an essay exploring the relationship between models of addiction and risk environments for substance use problems. Together, these assessments develop your ability to critically appraise evidence, synthesise information from multiple sources and apply theoretical perspectives to issues that influence professional practice, policy and intervention.

 

Applying your learning

Throughout the course, you will:

• Apply multidisciplinary perspectives to explore contemporary issues relating to substance use
• Critically evaluate research, theories and evidence to inform professional discussion and decision-making
• Reflect on how historical, social and environmental factors influence substance use and its impacts
• Use discussion, independent enquiry and critical analysis to deepen your understanding of substance use across different practice contexts

You will leave with:

• Greater confidence in interpreting evidence and theories relating to substance use
• Enhanced capability to evaluate the social, health and policy factors that influence substance use and associated harms
• Practical skills to apply multidisciplinary knowledge when informing professional practice and decision-making
• A stronger foundation for evidence-informed practice and further specialist study in drug and alcohol studies

 

Entry requirements

This course is designed for professionals who want to develop specialist knowledge of substance use and strengthen their understanding of the factors that influence policy, practice and intervention.

As this is an SCQF Level 11 course, participants should be prepared to study at postgraduate level. The course is suitable for individuals with a degree in social, health or related sciences, as well as professionals with relevant experience working in the drug and alcohol sector who wish to deepen their expertise.

 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be awarded 20 credits at SCQF Level 11.

These credits may contribute towards further postgraduate study at UWS, where appropriate and in accordance with University regulations. This course also forms a core component of the MSc, PgDip and PgCert in Contemporary Drug & Alcohol Studies.

 

Sector and workforce relevance

Professionals working in substance use services increasingly need a broad, evidence-informed understanding of the biological, psychological, social and environmental factors that influence substance use and its impacts. As policy, research and practice continue to evolve, organisations value practitioners who can critically evaluate evidence, understand complex patterns of substance use and apply multidisciplinary perspectives to professional decision-making.

This course reflects current professional practice by integrating historical, social and scientific perspectives to build a comprehensive understanding of substance use. Participants will strengthen their ability to interpret research, inform evidence-based practice and contribute to effective policy and service development across health, social care, criminal justice and community settings.

 

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further enrolment information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.