Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor (DARC) Program

Course Descriptions

The DARC classes are carefully designed to prepare students both theoretically and clinically.  Students are challenged to think creatively and critically and to develop not only as solid addictions counselors, but as learned persons capable of viewing the world from a variety of perspectives.

101 Catalog Description -

Introduces addiction counseling by exploring the career field and the requirements for success and certification as a counselor.  Students will explore key topic areas such as: models and theories of addiction and recovery; history of legislation and regulation; self-help and evidenced-based approaches to recovery, ethics and confidentiality.  Public health issues related to substances will be investigated, including; trends in substance use, co-occurring disorders, advertising of tobacco and alcohol, costs to society, HIV and other contagions, continuum of care from prevention to aftercare, and more.  Pre or co-requisite of ENG* 063 and ENG* 073 or higher, or permission of coordinator.  3 semester hours.

101 Course Objectives –

A broad overview of public health issues related to substance use will be explored.  Students will be encouraged to think critically about the role of addictive substances in American society as well as within sub-cultures.  The risk factors for and impact of substance use on individuals, families and communities will be investigated with an exploration of the role of government, tax dollars and advertising.  Students will develop critical thinking skills and a broader understanding of depth and breadth of substance use in America as well as the role of addiction counselors in the continuum of care and recovery.

111 Course Objectives -

This course will provide students a place to learn and ‘test out’ beginning counseling skills.  It will provide a strong core of basic counseling skills and understanding of multiculturalism required to successfully utilize any counseling theory.  The course will challenge students to self-reflect, to understand strengths and weaknesses as a beginning counselor and how those may impact clients.  The course will consider a broad range of addiction counseling environments (inpatient, crisis, outpatient, etc.) and the necessary accommodations to the counseling style/interaction that the individual client and circumstances demand.

112 Course Objectives -

Students will understand the importance and power of group counseling in the treatment of addictions.  Students will begin to develop the necessary skills to facilitate a treatment group and to provide psycho educational intervention for addicts and their families.  Students will experience the group process and take responsibility for leadership of a group.  Students will understand group theory and the application of specific counseling techniques within the group setting.

114 Catalog Description -

Presents an overview of the family.  Focuses on families with addictions by investigating: the family as a system, the family life cycle, multicultural perspectives of family, and family roles and rules.  Introduces family counseling theories, goals, strategies and techniques.  Students will learn how to complete a genogram and how to use this tool as a counseling strategy.  Pre or co-requisite of ENG* 063 and ENG* 073 or higher, or permission of coordinator.3 semester hours

114 Course Objectives -

Students will understand the family disease model of addiction and family systems theory.  The work of major family theorists and addiction theorists will be explored.  Students will view substance dependent clients in a family context and understand the long term, generational implications of addicted families.  Impact on non-substance using family members (both adults and children) will be explored.  Students will understand the role of family counseling in the continuum of care.

DAR 117 Prevention of Substance Abuse

Course Description:

DAR 117 Prevention of Substance Abuse provides a comprehensive overview of prevention. The course explore models of prevention, prevention theory, performance domains, ethics, cultural competencies, application of theory to program planning.

Course Objectives:

Students will be familiar with models of prevention and theory; prevention performance domains; prevention Code of Ethics; and the development and implementation of prevention programs

DAR 119 - Addiction Counseling in a Correctional Setting

119 Catalog Description

The course will provide an examination of addiction treatment across the spectrum of correctional settings.  Students will understand the link between addiction and criminal behavior as well as the avenues for entering recovery via the correctional system.   Focused study will investigate the evidenced-based treatment approaches that addictions counselors in correctional settings must be capable of implementing.  Combines didactic and experiential learning opportunities.  Pre or co-requisite of ENG* 063 and ENG* 073 or higher, or permission of coordinator.  3 semester hours.

119 Course objectives

The course will provide an examination of addiction treatment across the spectrum of correctional settings.  Students will understand the link between addiction and criminal behavior as well as the avenues for entering recovery via the correctional system.   Focused study will investigate the evidenced-based treatment approaches that addictions counselors in correctional settings must be capable of implementing.  Combines didactic and experiential learning opportunities.

DAR 158 Biology of Addiction

158 Catalog Description –

Students learn how and why drug abuse impacts both the human body and society. Students are introduced to the process of neurotransmission and learn how each class of psychoactive substances alters neurotransmission and homeostasis. The course examines the consequences of short- and long-term substance use, abuse, and addiction on all major bodily systems and the fetus.  Pre or co-requisite of ENG* 063 and ENG* 073 or higher, or permission of coordinator.

158 Course Objectives -

Focus of study will be, primarily, on the biological aspects of the disease of addiction.  Students will understand how and why drugs of abuse impact the body, brain and behavior, both intended effects and side effects will be explored.  Students will develop an appreciation for the treatment implications, societal implications, as well as legal implications of drugs of abuse.  Patterns of drug use, abuse and addiction among a variety of cultural groups will be explored.

DAR 213 Addiction Counseling II 213 Catalog Description –

Provides an overview of the major historical counseling theories and figures, including Gestalt, Reality, Person-Centered, and Rational-Emotive. Focused study will explore the theories and techniques of current evidence-based treatment models such as Motivational Interviewing, various cognitive-behavioral curricula, and Solution-Focused. Students apply basic counseling skills developed in DAR* 111 to a variety of evidence-based models within a recovery-oriented framework and explore the theories and techniques most appropriate to specific treatment settings, client populations, and cultures. Combines didactic and experiential learning. Prerequisite: DAR* 111 and pre or co-requisite of ENG* 101 or higher or permission of coordinator.

213 Course Objectives -Students will have a broad understanding of a variety of counseling theories with particular emphasis on skill development within the theories of Cognitive-Behavioral approaches and Motivational Interviewing.  Students will understand the need for evidenced-based models of addiction treatment.  This course will prepare students to actively engage in the counseling process.  Students will practice counseling skills and techniques through role play activities.  Students will understand cultural variables in the counseling relationship and process.  Students will understand the role of clinical supervision, self-reflection and the Code of Ethics as integral parts of the counseling process. 

DAR 220 Co-Occurring Disorders Counseling

220 Catalog Description –

Students will be introduced to major concepts essential to the understanding of co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health disorders.  Students will develop awareness of the unique challenges that face clients who are struggling with multiple diagnoses.  Students will practice conducting competent assessments, recovery plans, counseling skills and continuum of care issues relevant to the recovery process for this special population.  Combines didactic and experiential learning opportunities.  Prerequisites:  DAR 111 and ENG 101 (or concurrent enrollment) or permission of coordinator.

DAR 220 - Course ObjectivesCounseling skills will be practiced through class roleplay and experientials.  Multiple assessment techniques will be implemented in order to measure student success in mastering these outcomes.  The student will have a minimum of two examinations, will conduct library-based research on evidenced-based, best practice counseling theory for a specific co-occurring disorders group.  In order to accommodate the needs of diverse learners, material will be presented in multiple formats, including PowerPoint, lecture, films, discussion.  All assignments will include an assessment rubric.  This course is not required as a prerequisite to the counseling internship, however it is strongly recommended.  Students intending to graduate with a degree in DARC should earn a minimum grade of a C in order be prepared for the career field and successful completion of the Counselor Certification Examination.

DAR 212 Multicultural Addictions Counseling

212 Catalog Description -

Students will be introduced to major concepts essential to the understanding of culture, race, and diversity within the context of addiction counseling.  Students will develop awareness of their own and others’ cultural communication styles as well as values and beliefs regarding the use of substances.  Students will practice conducting culturally competent assessments, recovery plans and counseling skills for the treatment of substance use disorders.  Combines didactic and experiential learning opportunities.  Prerequisites:  DAR 111 and ENG 101 (or concurrent enrollment) or permission of coordinator.  

212 Course Objectives -

Counseling skills will be practiced through class roleplay and experientials.  Multiple assessment techniques will be implemented in order to measure student success in mastering these outcomes.  The student will have a minimum of two examinations, will conduct library-based research on evidenced-based, best practice counseling theory for a specific cultural group.  Student will conduct a personal heritage ethnographic search.  Student will also be challenged, during in-class discussion and in small group work, to demonstrate his/her insight, understanding and personal growth related to diversity.  In order to accommodate the needs of diverse learners, material will be presented in multiple formats, including PowerPoint, lecture, films, discussion.  All assignments will include an assessment rubric.  This coure is not required as a prerequisite to the counseling internship, however it is strongly recommended.  Students intending to graduate with a degree in DARC should earn a minimum grade of a C in order be prepared for the career field and successful completion of the Counselor Certification Examination

DAR 251 Counseling Internship I 251 Catalog Description –Students will spend 15 hours per week in a substance abuse treatment facility under the joint supervision of the DARC program and a credentialed supervisor at the facility.  Students will observe the treatment process from intake to discharge.  Students will observe, practice and develop competency in the 12 core functions of addiction counseling.  As students develop increased competence, they will progress from active observers to co-counselors and then to counselors.  To enhance the field experience, students will continue academic study during a weekly seminar.  Students will be expected to reflect on their field work, participate in clinical supervision as well as peer group interaction, and continue their research in support of counseling theories.  Prerequisites: DAR 101, 111, 112, 158; ENG 101 with a C or better and permission of the program coordinator.  Prerequisite DAR classes must be successfully completed within 5 years of enrollment in DAR 251.  DAR 251 and DAR 252 must be completed in consecutive semesters.  If a student is unable to complete DAR 252 in the spring following DAR 251, DAR 251 will need to be taken again.  This is a selective admission component of the DARC program.  6 semester hours

251 Course Objectives –Through the course of the semester the student will gain increased appreciation for the complexity of the disease of addiction and will understand how certified counselors fit into the multidisciplinary team and the continuum of care.  Student will see the application of theories that have been presented throughout the curriculum and will integrate theory with practice.   Student will be able to identify and articulate specific procedures related to how the 12 core functions are implemented in the facility where s/he is interning and will be capable of carrying out some of the procedures.  Student will be capable of self-reflection and will demonstrate personal awareness and growth.

DAR 252 Counseling Internship II

252 Catalog Description –

A continuation of DAR 251, students will extend their field placements for 15 hours per week in the same substance abuse treatment facility.  Students will refine their counseling skills and assume increased responsibility for implementing the 12 core functions.  During the semester, students will function as a primary addiction counselor for one or more clients.  The classroom component of this internship will prepare students for the certification exam and case presentation as well as provide for ongoing personal reflection and growth.  Prerequisite: DAR 251 and permission of DARC program coordinator.  DAR 251 and DAR 252 must be completed in consecutive semesters.  If a student is unable to complete DAR 252 in the spring following DAR 251, DAR 251 will need to be taken again, student will need to reapply.  This is a selective admission component of the DARC program. 

6 semester hours

252 Course Objectives–

During this second half of the internship year, students will become increasingly sophisticated in their understanding of the disease process of addiction as well as the recovery process.  Students will developed practical skills for implementing the recovery model and will refine both individual and group counseling skills.  Students will function as a member of the treatment team at the internship placement.

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DARC at GCC New Haven and North Haven Connecticut