ADC201: Spirituality and Addiction

Instructor & Contact Information

The People tab in Canvas provides information on the course instructor and you can send a message to your instructor following these instructions. Faculty are expected to: 1) grade and return assignments, with feedback, within 7 days from the date of submission; 2) reply to your Canvas messages within 72 hours; 3) reply several times each week in total in the discussion forums (not to each individual student); and 4) demonstrate the core values of City Vision University.

Course Description

The student will have an enhanced understanding of what it means to be an agent of Christ-centered change to those in recovery by understanding the nature of addiction, by learning the importance of faith in the recovery process and by becoming an authority on linking clients to recovery support services and recovery communities.

Please keep in mind that many counseling courses such as this one cover very deep issues, which can trigger trauma for some students. Students are encouraged to be aware of this for this course and have strong supports in place.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Gain a basic introduction to the nature of addiction.
2. List the critical historical points in the development of Alcoholics Anonymous.
3. Associate biblical references with each of the Twelve Steps of AA.
4. Understand the reasons for early AA’s high success rate.
5. Develop a concept of Transformational Change in addiction recovery.
6. Understand the scope of the addiction problem.
7. Understand and be aware of societal stigma attached to addiction.
8. Tell the differences between acute treatment for addiction and recovery management for addictions.
9. Understand the variety of ways sustained Recovery Management can take place.
10. Appreciate the benefits of recovery support groups including AA and other models of group support.
11. Understand the potential for unique communities of recovery to address the devastation of addiction within communities of color.
12. Understand the unhealthy reality of Toxic Faith that can plague faith-based programs.

Degree Program Outcomes

Degree outcomes are the overall skills and knowledge we expect you will have after successfully completing a degree program at City Vision University. After completing the degree, you will be able to do the following in each of the listed domains:

1. Christian Integration. Integrate Christian principles and counseling theories in an ethical manner in both Christian and secular counseling environments.*
2. Certification Exam Prep. Identify the key concepts needed to take a licensure exam either to apply to be a peer support specialist or certified addiction counselor.
3. Case Management. Develop case management plans to help clients identify areas where they need help and connecting them with personal and community resources that will help them.
4. Chemical Dependency. Describe foundational concepts of chemical dependency including a range of psychoactive drugs and how they work.
5. Psychology. Describe the foundational concepts of psychology and apply that in both Christian and secular counseling environments.
6. Clinical Counseling Skills. Utilize foundational skills for clinical addiction counseling.
7. Multicultural Counseling. Utilize effective methods to counsel diverse clients in both Christian and secular counseling environments.
8. Specialized Skills. Apply knowledge and skills in specialized domains related to Addiction Counseling.

Required Texts

Students are required to purchase these texts before the first day of classes. 

• E. James Wilder. Living From The Heart Jesus Gave You. Publisher: Shepherd's House, Incorporated ISBN 9781935629146, 193562914X
• Dick B., The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible, Publisher: San Rafael, CA: Paradise Research Publications.
• Stephen Arterburn, David Stoop, Larry Werbil, Janelle Puff, The Life Recovery Workbook a Biblical Guide Through the 12 Steps. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. ISBN-10: 1414321872.
• Optional: David Stoop, Stephen Arterburn. The Life Recovery Bible, Tyndale House Publishers; 2nd edition (August 1, 2006) ISBN-10: 1414309619.

Guidelines for Written Work

All written work must follow our Writing Format and Forum Requirements. You must read these to understand how to cite sources appropriately.

Critical Policies to Read for This Course

Note: These policies are critical for all students to read. In case of change, we have linked to the versions on our website to make sure you have the latest version.

• Grading Scale 

• Deadlines to Drop Courses

• Attendance, Late Policy and Extensions

• Technology Requirements for Courses

• Standards of Academic Integrity & Plagiarism Policy

• What plagiarism is and how to avoid it 

• Credit Hour Policy, Grading Policy and Other Academic Policies

• ADA Policy, Learning Accommodations & Disabilities Services
• Student Code of Conduct 

• Library Services

Additional Policies:

• Privacy Policy

• Consumer Disclosures
• Additional policies are listed in our catalog

This syllabus is subject to change without notice up until the first day of the semester. Last updated: February 17, 2022