ACOM / Study / Units / C8143C Addiction Counselling

C8143C Addiction Counselling

This unit will enable students to explore the theological, psychological, and spiritual basis of addiction and support a client wrestling with addiction.
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Unit Overview

Qualification

Graduate

Unit Availability

Trimester 2 2026

Study Mode

Online Facilitation

Placement

N/A

Tuition

Graduate Counselling Fee

Prerequisite

N/A

Corequisite

N/A

Notes

Available to counselling students only

Schedule
Availability Facilitation Type Time Dates Facilitator
Trimester 2 2026 Online Facilitation
(Required)		 3:30pm – 5:30pm
(AEST)		 Saturday 30 May
Saturday 6 June
Saturday 13 June
Saturday 20 June
Saturday 27 June
Saturday 4 July
Saturday 11 July
Saturday 18 July
Saturday 25 July
Saturday 1 August		 Marissa Priaulx

Unit Details

This unit will enable students to explore the theological, psychological, and spiritual basis of addiction and support a client wrestling with addiction. It will introduce students to the theoretical concepts and terminology associated with addiction as a foundation for counselling practice. Students will gain knowledge of the clinical features of addiction, the addiction cycle, and co-occurring disorders. Support and treatment options will also be introduced.

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Investigate and analyse the ethical issues involved in counselling for alcohol, substances and other addictive behaviours.
  2. Apply knowledge with initiative to the skills required for effective counselling of clients with problems of substance misuse or addiction and describe the ethical issues involved.
  3. Display perceptive understanding of the biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors underlying and sustaining addictive behaviour related to different forms of addiction.
  4. Demonstrate a grasp of the theoretical approaches to counselling abuse and addiction (secular and Christian) and reflect crucially on the theory and professional practice.
  5. Exhibit a personal and professional stance demonstrating an ability to design a range of addiction treatment methods to address a spectrum of addiction issues.
  1. Overview and Biblical references
  2. Types of addiction
  3. Addiction occurrence
  4. Addiction formation
  5. Traits of addiction
  6. Root causes of addiction
  7. Co-dependency
  8. Addiction recovery
  9. Counselling for addiction
  1. Presentation (25%)
    Word Limit: 1250
    Due: Week 5
  2. Journal (25%)
    Word Limit: 1750
    Due: Week 7
  3. Written Assignment (25%)
    Word Limit: 1500
    Due: Week 10
  4. Essay (25%)
    Word Limit: 1500
    Due: Week 12
  • Clinton, T. E. & Scalise, E. (2013). The quick-reference guide to addictions and recovery counseling: 40 topics, spiritual insights, and easy-to-use action steps. Baker Books.

Unit Details

Key Dates

Student Stories

I’ve loved my ACOM journey! Every unit has brought practical skills and theoretical knowledge I use every day with my counselling clients and beyond. I’ve grown as a person, and my confidence in academic learning has been supported by highly skilled lecturers in their field. The online learning platform has enabled me to work and balance family life and other commitments. Integrating spirituality and faith throughout every unit has been so refreshing and lovely!
Alison Bury – Bachelor of Counselling

Student Stories

As a person who is holding down a job, and volunteering at my local church leading in our youth ministry, my studies would not be possible without the flexibility that studying with ACOM provides. Their understanding of my ‘all of life’ and working with me to participate in study in a meaningful way that flexes to my life circumstances has been amazing. I am not sure I could have pursued my studies without it.
Tessa Sedawie – Bachelor of Ministry

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ACOM's flexible delivery has been instrumental in my studies. I have benefited greatly from the ability to read through the coursework in my own time, around my busy schedule. The supportive staff and excellent online resources have also been invaluable.
Natalie Crawford – Master of Theology

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A lot of theology training focuses on helping you know what to do, formation helped me go deeper and learn about who I wanted to become. As someone who learns a lot by doing, the highly practical nature of the ACOM model helped me put theory into practice immediately. The online learning helped me do that in the context I’d grown up in.
Ben Dainton – Graduate Diploma of Arts

Student Stories

My studies at ACOM equipped me to be job-ready by providing the ability to complete my student ministry placement in local churches, allowing me to apply what I was learning directly to real-world situations. The practical elements of the coursework gave me the hands-on experience and confidence needed to step into ministry roles, fully prepared to make a meaningful impact.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

Admittedly, at first I was nervous about the prospect of Spiritual Formation and what might be involved. But after my first Spiritual Formation retreat, Spiritual Formation very quickly became one of my favourite subjects, and created some of my fondest memories throughout my years studying with ACOM. The relationships I built and the journey I went on with my formation companions, has left a profound impact on my faith, the shaping of who I am, how I lead and my continued involvement in ministry today. I couldn’t recommend Spiritual Formation highly enough as a valuable part of your studies.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

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