Alcohol & Drug Studies
13 courses · Palo Verde College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
ADS 101 Introduction to Addiction Studies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
- Advisory
- ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Addiction Studies investigates the sociological, psychological, and physical impacts of substance abuse on a global scale. This course offers an introduction to many illicit and licit substances, and the treatment and prevention methodologies currently in use. Students will learn about individual drugs and drug classes. The biological and psychological characteristics of substance abuse will be closely examined. Drug use variations and the effects of culture, and current controversies in the field of addiction studies will be explored. This course is designed for students in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program. It is required for obtaining certification from the California Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors.
ADS 102 Pharmacology and Physiological Effects of Addiction
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course examines the effects of alcohol and other chemically altering drugs on behavior and body functions, highlighting impairment to systemic processes. Students will learn the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of addiction. In addition, they will become familiar with diagnostic procedures and tools used to measure these effects. This course provides information on specific anatomic processes targeted by pharmacological and physiological treatments, and the recovery programs currently available. This course is designed for the student continuing studies in the ADS certificate program as well as some students pursuing other related fields.
ADS 103 Case Management and Documentation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
- Advisory
- ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course outlines information related to: initial admission requirements for alcohol and drug assistance programs; assessment requirements for orientation to the programs; disciplinary rules; costs of programs; methods of payment; clients' rights; treatment goals; methods of charting; treatment and recovery plans; roles of aftercare in the treatment process; importance of client follow-up; relapse dynamics; various modalities of treatment; program planning; client education; community resources; referrals; and intervention techniques. This course is designed for the student in the Alcohol and Drug Studies program.
ADS 104 Addiction Prevention Education and Outreach/Referral
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
- Advisory
- ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides an overview of theories and strategies for the prevention of substance use disorders. Primary secondary, tertiary, and evidenced-based prevention models will be introduced and assessed. The concepts of prevention programs in different settings will be presented. Strategies such as education, public policies, media/information dissemination, ethnic, cultural, and gender-specific approaches, environmental risk reduction, and alternatives will be presented and assessed for their application to different target populations. This course is designed for students in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program.
ADS 105 Co-occurring Disorders and Chemical Dependency
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
- Advisory
- ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to instruct students when working with clients who have co-occurring disorders in the assessment, referral, and professional collaboration process. Current research indicates that approximately half of the individuals seeking alcohol and drug counseling have co-occurring disorders and require concurrent, integrated treatment. Areas covered include the major concepts of chronic mental illness, DSM criteria, integrated treatment and relapse prevention. This course is designed for students in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program.
ADS 106 Counseling Interventions
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
- Advisory
- ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduces the foundation concepts, theory and application of Individual Counseling within the field of alcohol and drug studies. Specifically addresses concepts of field work providing services to special populations. Included topics are the dynamics of the helping relationship, analysis and implications of common characteristics of substance dependent individuals, demonstrations and practice of assessments, and interviewing and referral techniques.
ADS 107 Group Counseling
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
- Advisory
- ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU
The course covers theories and research strategies regarding interpersonal behavior, interpersonal styles, forms of communication, controversy, and conflict concerning the individual affected by addiction and its effects. The course teaches the dynamics of small group processes, group goals, decision-making, leadership, and communication problems when dealing with substance addiction and its effects. The course also instructs students on the utilization of strategies to prevent interpersonal and system dysfunctions associated with addiction by learning appropriate enriched activities, effective communication, and appropriate coping skills. This course is designed for students in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program, and it is required for obtaining certification from the California Certification Board for Alcohol and Drug Counselors.
ADS 108 Family Dynamics of Addictions
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
- Advisory
- ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to provide an in-depth look at alcoholism and substance abuse on the family dynamic. In this course, the etiology, symptomology, and treatment of the effects of addiction on family system will be examined. The student will learn to identify patterns of family dysfunction and the impact of chemical dependency on family members. In addition, the student will learn family-oriented approaches to recovery and reintegration into the community.
ADS 109 Substance Abuse in Special Populations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
- Advisory
- ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Substance abuse and dependence have many unique characteristics when it occurs in persons and groups outside the typical family unit. This course addresses various cultural factors influencing the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs in selected special populations in American society and the effect of these influences on the treatment and recovery processes for chemical dependency. An examination of those characteristics is explored among special populations including adolescents, the elderly, racial and ethnic minorities, gays/lesbians, the physically and developmentally disabled, the chronically ill, and the incarcerated population.
ADS 110 Introduction to Human Services
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
- Advisory
- ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Explores the history of human services, career opportunities, and the role of the human service worker. Focuses on target populations and community agencies designed to meet the needs of various populations.
ADS 111 Law and Ethics in Alcohol and Drug Studies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
- Advisory
- ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Explores the legal, ethical, professional and personal issues involved in the treatment of substance use disorders. Emphasis is placed on professional responsibility and patient rights as well as issues of the work place and professional growth.
ADS 150 Practicum for Alcohol and Drug Studies I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 154 hours total, 0.22 hours lecture weekly, 8.33 hours clinical
- Prerequisite
- Completion of at least 27 units of the ADS program
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is the first part of a supervised fieldwork practicum that actively involves students at a supervised chemical dependency service site. Students apply and integrate the values, knowledge, and skills learned in the classroom through direct, hands-on experience in the area of alcohol and drug counseling. Special attention is given to individual, group, and family counseling.
ADS 151 Practicum for Alcohol and Drug Studies II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 154 hours total, 0.22 hours lecture weekly, 8.33 hours clinical
- Prerequisite
- ADS 150
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is the second part of a supervised fieldwork practicum that actively involves students at a supervised chemical dependency service site. Students apply and integrate the values, knowledge, and skills learned in the classroom through direct, hands-on experience in the area of alcohol and drug counseling. Special attention is given to individual, group, and family counseling.