Completed from United Kingdom
Wow! I’m blown away by how engaging the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling program was. From day one, the interactive case studies had me shouting “Eureka!” when I figured out the right coping strategy for a client with co‑occurring depression. The role‑play sessions on motivational interviewing were like a theatre workshop – I could instantly see the impact of tone and body language. The course material, especially the up‑to‑date research articles from the British Journal of Addiction, made everything feel relevant. I can’t wait to put these skills into practice at my new job as a support worker!
Stanmore School of Business' Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling course precisely aligned with my goal of becoming a certified addiction counselor. The curriculum covered the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual criteria, motivational interviewing techniques, and the stages of change model. I was able to apply the relapse‑prevention worksheet in my practicum, resulting in a measurable reduction in client cravings. The reading packets, especially the latest SAMHSA guidelines, were up‑to‑date and clearly organized. Overall, the instruction was rigorous, the instructor feedback was prompt, and I feel fully prepared for the certification exam.
Honestly, this course was exactly what I needed. I wanted to get a solid grip on how to help friends dealing with alcohol issues, and the lessons gave me real‑world tools. The video demos on how to do a brief intervention were super clear, and I tried the ‘three‑question screen’ on a buddy and it opened up a conversation we’d been avoiding. The handouts were easy to read and the online quizzes kept me on track. I left the course feeling confident and ready to volunteer at my community centre.
The course delivered a comprehensive blend of theory and practice that matched my ambition to work in a rehabilitation centre. We started with epidemiology of substance use in South Asia, then moved to detailed assessment tools such as the AUDIT and CAGE questionnaires, which I now use confidently during intake interviews. A particularly valuable module was the step‑by‑step guide to developing a relapse‑prevention plan, including the creation of personalized coping‑skill worksheets – I have already drafted three such plans for clients in my internship. The lecture slides were meticulously referenced, and the supplementary e‑book on culturally sensitive counseling strategies was indispensable for my context. Overall, the learning experience was thorough, interactive, and highly applicable to my future career.
