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Diploma Program

Addictions and Community Services Worker

Diploma

52 Weeks

Qualified Instructors

This program can be offered at the campus(es) below. Please contact the campus of your choosing for program availability and delivery methods.

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Make a Real Impact as an Addictions and Community Services Worker

Are you considering a career in addictions work? CDI College's Addictions and Community Services Worker program prepares students with essential skills in psychology, pharmacology, ethics, and communication, to support individuals dealing with substance use and mental health challenges in Ontario.

  • PSYCHOLOGY
  • BUSINESS WRITING
  • TREATMENT PLANNING
  • CASE FILE MANAGEMENT
  • GROUP FACILITATION
  • RELAPSE PREVENTION STRATEGIES
  • SECONDARY TRAUMA STRESS 
  • COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND NETWORKING
  • PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION AND PRESENTATION
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Registered College

CDI College is registered as a career college under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.

Program Intro Background

Program Courses

Psychology

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This subject provides the student with a basic knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts that can be applied in the subjects that follow.

Case File Management & Report Writing

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This subject deals with preparing social work-related written reports to communicate the progress of a client. The student will be introduced to various methods of recording information, along with the requirements for various entries to a file within the parameters of legal and ethical requirements. Basic computer skills are further developed through a series of assignments.

Introduction to Intake Procedures & Treatment Planning

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This subject will enable the student to become aware of the various testing procedures and the methods by which an appropriate and accurate assessment can be made. Subjects covered include laboratory testing, psychometric assessment, interviews, services, analysis of life situations, differential diagnosis and the matching hypothesis.

Communications Fundamentals

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This subject provides a comprehensive study of effective communication skills and techniques the student will useboth professionally and personally. The subject will sharpen skills to work effectively in a professional helping relationship. Students will also learn how to conduct an effective job search and how to continue their development as an addictions worker. 

Ethics

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This subject is designed to provide the student with a framework in which to view helping functions and related skills in a systematic manner. The subject concentrates on the helper’s task of becoming a more aware and effective person. The emphasis is on empowering others to help themselves through the development of communication and coping skills. Topics include reasons for students seeking a career in the helping profession; practical strategies for ensuring quality experiences in fieldwork and supervision stages of the helping process; common problems at work in regards to resistance, transference, counter transference and difficult clients; ethical awareness and learning for helpers; value and belief systems of helpers; one’s role in the community as a helper; stress and burnout; and more.

Group Facilitation Concepts

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This subject will provide the student with an overview of the nature of group work in a social service setting and an opportunity to explore relevant techniques and exercises designed to enhance group work.

  • The role of techniques
  • Getting groups established
  • Techniques for the initial stage
  • Techniques for the transition stage
  • Techniques for the working stage
  • Techniques for the final stage

Community Resources & Networking

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The goal of an addictions worker is to accurately assess the client’s needs and provide the most appropriate referral in an ethical manner. This subject establishes a framework to assess needs and explores the various services available in the community. This is accomplished by guiding the student through a series of assignments to enhance evaluation skills and knowledge.

Interviewing Techniques

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This subject will assist the student to define communication skills and demonstrate how to use them effectively in many types of situations. A group of core communication skills is essential to any interview, whether it takes place in counselling, nursing, social work, personnel work, or information gathering.

Fundamentals of Addiction

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This subject provides the foundation for further in-depth subjects in the study of addiction. The basic pharmacological nature and effects of a range of psychoactive chemicals are presented with an emphasis on challenging the myths of which chemicals cost society the most in terms of economic costs and social burden of human suffering. Specific target populations are explored, focusing on women, children, adolescents, ethnic minorities, elderly, the disabled, and those suffering from mental illness. Assessment, intervention strategies, and treatment options are presented along with the most common problems encountered during treatment.

Fundamentals of Pharmacology

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This subject provides basic drug information including the basic pharmacological nature and effects of a range of psychoactive chemicals. Students will build knowledge relating drug treatments/usage to various body systems and associated states of disease.

Preventive Health Promotion

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The student is introduced to various health and relationship concerns that are relevant in chemically dependent individuals. The student will learn to evaluate the effectiveness of program delivery and begin to create new ideas for promoting healthier lifestyle choices within a range of settings and diverse populations.

Relapse Prevention & Intervention

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This subject will provide the student with an understanding of relapse as a natural part of the recovery process. The student will study a range of strategies and techniques to assist in minimizing and preventing the effects of prolonged periods of relapse during the journey of recovery. Students are guided through the entire relapse process by considering the application of some basic principles introduced in the CENAPS Model of Treatment (CENAPS is an acronym for Center for Applied Behavioral Research).

Secondary Traumatic Stress

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Secondary traumatic stress results from helping or wanting to help a traumatized or suffering person. Students will gain insight into their personal strengths and weaknesses and will explore methods to prevent/reduce secondary traumatic stress. 

Introduction to Software Applications

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This subject educates the student about the software applications that are commonly used in document preparation, report writing, and presentations. The student will learn how to use a computer’s operating system; perform basic file management tasks; use a Web browser to explore the Internet and perform searches for information; create, edit, and format documents; and prepare a slide show presentation.

Working with Families

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This subject will provide students with an overview of how addiction can impact the family unit. Understanding the family reaction is critical to providing caring support to the recovering addict and their loved ones. A recovery program that does not address issues of co-dependency may increase the likelihood of persistent patterns of relapse for both the addict and their family.

High Risk Populations

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Understanding about high risk populations provides the foundation for further in-depth examination of the relationship between substance abuse and a specific population in society. The purpose of this course is to gain a realistic perspective of drug-related problems affecting different sub-populations in society. To understand the complex issues surrounding drugs in our society, we need to recognize the enormous diversity that exists within the general population. This course will provide the student with the basic knowledge around being a multicultural counsellor and working specifically with sub-populations that are regularly encountered. 

Youth Issues

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This course is designed to give students an overview of the issues that our youth are facing in today’s society. The course looks at three general areas of concern related to youth issues. The first part of the course is aimed at describing what is meant by at-risk and who these at-risk youth are. This is essential in order to better understand what the common risk factors that contribute to youth becoming at risk are. Secondly, the student will learn about the different at-risk categories in order to explore the various issues and problems. Finally, the course will look at the different intervention, prevention, and treatment strategies or models.

Community Services Worker Certificates

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In this module, students earn three certificates. The certificates are:

  • First Aid/CPR
  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
  • Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NCI)

Instruction for the external certificates will be provided by certified trainers in these specialties.

Student Success Strategies

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The purpose of this course is to optimize learning through equipping students with effective study techniques. This course also provides an introduction to personality styles that will be encountered in the workplace and allows students to practise appropriate and productive interaction between the various styles. Emphasis is placed on the types of communication that work best with each style in order to achieve a good working relationship and to manage and resolve conflicts that arise. Students are also introduced to strategies for setting personal goals, managing time, and managing the stress that results from study or work and builds on positive group dynamics and setting expectations for student success

Professional Skills

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This course is designed to equip students with interpersonal skills identified by employers as essential for success in the professional world. Using a variety of instructional methods including case studies, group exercises, and discussion, students learn and practice key communication skills.

Career and Employment Strategies

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In addition to learning career-oriented skills, students learn how to get a job in their chosen profession. Our Employment Services department will assist the graduate in resume writing, as well as preparing for job interviews. Our staff is sensitive to current job market trends and the needs of employers in each local market. Our graduates receive guidance and training to use career tools that help job seekers build a better resume and cover letter, manage an online portfolio, hone interviewing skills, and develop a personal brand online. Students will have the use of a computer lab which has unlimited Internet access, as well as job search resources. Facilitators will also be made available to advise on job finding resources, interview skills and techniques and to carry out mock interviews. This course also looks at the planning, preparation, execution, and follow-up stages of an interview: How people find jobs; Employer expectations; Presenting an enthusiastic attitude; Focusing on the right job and the hidden job market; Transferrable skills; Thank you letters; Effective telemarketing; Handling objections, self-confidence, and self-esteem; Individual counselling and coaching.

Mandatory Community Placement

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This program includes 300 hours /12 week of community placement. 

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Admission

Benefits of this program

Employment Opportunities

  • Standard Admissions
    • Grade 12 or equivalent

 

  • Mature Admissions
    • Mature student status (18 years of age or older)
    • Passing score on the entrance examination

 

  • Practicum Requirements
    • Immunization Report indicating the student has up-to-date immunization
    • In addition to regular immunization, it is mandatory that each student be immunized against Hepatitis B.
    • Students may also be required to be immunized against influenza, dependent on field requirements.
    • The existence of a criminal record may result in a candidate being denied acceptance by a clinical placement site.
  • Start a new healthcare career in an in-demand field
  • Get hands-on training
  • Study under experienced instructors
  • Make a positive impact on your community
  • Get multiple industry certifications
  • Become eligible for Associate Addiction Counsellor status
  • Work through real-life scenarios during a practicum placement
  • Receive assistance in locating jobs and creating resumes from our Career Services department
  • Child and Youth Services
  • Family Social Service Agencies
  • Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs
  • Family Violence Programs
  • Group Homes
  • Correctional Facilities
  • Community Mental Health Centres
  • Facilities for the Physically and Developmentally Challenged
  • Standard Admissions
    • Grade 12 or equivalent

 

  • Mature Admissions
    • Mature student status (18 years of age or older)
    • Passing score on the entrance examination

 

  • Practicum Requirements
    • Immunization Report indicating the student has up-to-date immunization
    • In addition to regular immunization, it is mandatory that each student be immunized against Hepatitis B.
    • Students may also be required to be immunized against influenza, dependent on field requirements.
    • The existence of a criminal record may result in a candidate being denied acceptance by a clinical placement site.
  • Start a new healthcare career in an in-demand field
  • Get hands-on training
  • Study under experienced instructors
  • Make a positive impact on your community
  • Get multiple industry certifications
  • Become eligible for Associate Addiction Counsellor status
  • Work through real-life scenarios during a practicum placement
  • Receive assistance in locating jobs and creating resumes from our Career Services department
  • Child and Youth Services
  • Family Social Service Agencies
  • Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs
  • Family Violence Programs
  • Group Homes
  • Correctional Facilities
  • Community Mental Health Centres
  • Facilities for the Physically and Developmentally Challenged
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Industry Certifications

Gain a distinct advantage by earning industry-recognized certifications that validate your expertise and skills in key areas such as digital marketing, project management, and CRM. Our program prepares you to succeed, whether you're advancing, switching careers, or starting your own business. Invest in yourself and join a community of certified professionals shaping the digital economy.

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What People Say About Our Program

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Going to CDI College changed my life in a really positive way that I am actually doing something I'm passionate about now as opposed to just working for a paycheck I'm very happy, and I feel like I'm making a really big difference for the people that I work with.

Kim T.

Addictions and Community Services Worker Graduate

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One of my favourite aspects of working as a Campus Director is the opportunity to positively impact students' lives. I am greatly fulfilled by the opportunity to provide them with educational opportunities and support them in achieving their goals.

Tazeen A.

Campus Director CDI College

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