Alcohol and Drug Studies
23 courses · San Jose City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
ADS 070 Introduction to Chemical Dependency
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students will examine cultural, historical and political influences on alcohol and drug abuse and its impact on the community. Sociocultural factors that contribute to the use of drugs, addiction issues will be examined through the lens of Western and non-western societies, as well as a comparisons between the impact of substance use on gender, diverse ages and subgroups. As an overview course, the review of the pattern and progression of chemical addiction will connect treatment modalities and interventions from a theoretical perspective. Students will be required to attend outside workshops or events.
ADS 071 Pharmacology/Physiology of Addiction
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Corequisite
- ADS 070
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will examine in-depth the pharmacological and physiological effects of alcohol and other drugs, physical consequences of chemical dependency, and pharmacological/physiological treatment and recovery strategies.
ADS 072 Codependency & Family Dynamics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Corequisite
- ADS 070
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will examine codependency through attachment theory across the lifespan. Codependency behaviors will be explored as a response to disrupted attachment, which includes individual, sociocultural, psychological and physiological impact. The physical legacy of disrupted attachment is connected with the neurological and Central Nervous System changes resulting from the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study indicators, and the legacy of this impact across the lifespan. Course topics include attachment theory definitions and characteristics, Pia Mellody's Five Core Symptoms, genograms, dysfunctional and healthy family systems, codependency and parenting, social and cultural indicators, the psychical legacy of disrupted attachment which includes damage to the immune system, approaches to recovery, and tools of recovery. Students will be required to attend self-help groups in the community.
ADS 073 Case Management
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will learn to conduct an assessment, orientation, treatment planning, documentation, and relapse prevention (aftercare planning) using the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) framework within a case management model. This course also requires students to develop a professional elevator pitch and professional networking platform to prepare for supervised practicum.
ADS 074 Ethics, and Personal and Professional Growth
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students examine ethics, personal, and professional growth relevant to alcohol and drug counseling, with an emphasis on ongoing professional growth and development. Topics include ethics and professional standards, credentialing requirements, self-assessment of professional strengths and limitations, burnout prevention and stress management, and professional networking. The course may include participation in professional workshops, trainings, or community-based learning activities to support career development.
ADS 075A Counseling Theories and Skills
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students examine the theories and purposes of various counseling approaches with individuals in addiction treatment. Theories will be explored for sociological, physiological and psychological process across the lifespan of the client. Students will also practice and demonstrate skills and interventions to support the counseling progress of recovering individuals integrating both cultural and age-related issues.
ADS 076 Law and Prevention: Community Response
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Corequisite
- ADS 070 previous or concurrent enrollment
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students develop awareness of community responses to addiction by examining alcohol and drug laws, and programs of prevention, education, outreach, intervention, and referral.
ADS 077A Supervised Practicum A
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 1.5, Lab Hours: 1.5
- Prerequisite
- ADS 070 and ADS 071 and ADS 073 and ADS 074 and ADS 075A and ADS 079; all with C or better. Enrollment Limitation: Students must obtain and provide documentation of RADT (Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician) to the instructor of record prior to the first day of instruction in order to participate in the course pursuant to California Health and Safety Code ?11833.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will begin clinical counseling experience hours in an applicable chemical dependency treatment facility. Direct supervision is provided by a staff member meeting CCAPP/CAADE (California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals/California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators) applicable standards. Students apply and integrate previously acquired knowledge, skills, and professional values through supervised field experience. Concurrent enrollment in 2.0 units of ADS 138 Work Experience is required for the first half of the 255 clinical hours required for certification and is essential preparation for professional practice. Students must obtain and provide documentation of RADT (Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician) to the instructor of record prior to the first day of instruction in order to participate in the course.
ADS 077B Supervised Practicum B
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 1.5, Lab Hours: 1.5
- Prerequisite
- ADS 077A with C or better. Enrollment Limitation: Students must obtain and provide documentation of RADT (Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician) to the instructor of record prior to the first day of instruction in order to participate in the course pursuant to California Health and Safety Code ?11833.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will complete the clinical counseling experience hours in an approved chemical dependency treatment facility. Direct supervision is provided by a staff member meeting CCAPP (California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals) applicable standards. Students apply and integrate previously acquired knowledge, skills, and professional values through supervised field experience. Students in this course are expected to implement 12 core functions learned in ADS 077A. Concurrent enrollment in 2.0 units of ADS 138 Work Experience is required for the first half of the 255 clinical hours required for certification and is essential preparation for professional practice. Students must obtain and provide documentation of RADT (Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician) to the instructor of record prior to the first day of instruction in order to participate in the course.
ADS 078 Integrated Behavioral Health
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will study the differences in mental health and chemical dependency treatment cultures. They will review the key DSM5 diagnostic categories that appear in addiction treatment and approaches to assessment and treatment planning that address mental health, physical health, and substance abuse disorders. Students will examine psychotropic medication and the interaction with medication assisted approaches to treatment, as well as barriers to effective treatment. Professional ethics and scope of practice will also be covered.
ADS 079 Group Dynamics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Corequisite
- ADS 070
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will be introduced to group dynamics and group leadership skills within the context of treating substance use disorder. The focus is on group development, interpersonal and intrapersonal processes, and group facilitation skills. The course incorporates a strong experiential component with an emphasis on changing behavior as a goal.
ADS 080 Addiction in the Criminal Justice Population
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2
Students will examine the addiction disease process and its role in criminality. Students will explore the criminal justice response to addiction, and historical and current trends in addressing the needs of the addicted offender in county, state, and federal incarceration settings.
ADS 081 Criminal Justice Process for the Addicted Offender
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2
Students will explore addiction treatment services and intervention at each segment of the criminal justice system. The sectors covered in this course include: community policing, points of arrest, initial interventions for first-time offense, drug courts, response to relapse, prison services, and services regarding reentry into society.
ADS 082 Co-Occurring Disorders in the Addicted Offender Population
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2
Students will become aware of the substantial percentage of those under criminal justice supervision that have one or more co-occurring mental disorders in addition to their substance use disorder. Students will review the intersection between behavioral health and addiction, approaches to co-occurring disorder assessment, symptoms of major mental health disorders, and trauma-informed services in the criminal justice system.
ADS 083 Treatment and Interventions for the Addicted Offender
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2
Students will review the challenges facing addicted criminal justice clients. Addicted offenders may require help meeting basic life needs, such as finding housing, applying for a job, or cooking a meal. Students will explore the use of motivational interviewing to assist clients to manage their feelings, control impulses, and work toward concrete goals. Students will explore strategies and techniques which include confronting manipulation and setting boundaries.
ADS 089 Overview of Core Functions of Addiction Treatment
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 1
Students will review the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21 core and global functions of addiction treatment in preparation for the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) exam for the California Certified Prevention Specialist (CCPS) process through the California Consortium of Addiction Professionals and Programs (CCAPP).
ADS 090 Peer Advocacy and Wellness
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2
Students will prepare for peer mentor roles in behavioral health settings while completing the 80-hour training requirement associated with the Cal-MHSA Peer Certification examination. The course examines the role of peer providers, including the use of lived recovery experience combined with formal training to support recovery, self-advocacy, resilience, and whole-person wellness. Topics include recovery principles, ethical peer support practice, and service delivery within behavioral health systems. Concurrent enrollment in ADS-138 (1 unit) is required to complete 25 hours of supervised agency-based experience.
ADS 091 Ems Pre-Hospital Behavioral Emergencies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
This course is designed to prepare emergency medical services (EMS) workers to identify and respond to the most frequent substance use and mental health conditions they confront as first responders. Topics will include: an overview of psychiatric disorders, an understanding of agitation levels and strategies for de-escalations, tools for responding to caregiver/family stress and anxiety disorders, and screening and interviewing techniques for patients with suicidal ideation. This course is also intended to prepare EMS workers to develop self-care strategies to avoid developing long-term mental health, burnout and substance use disorder symptoms in response to ongoing trauma exposure.
ADS 092 Peer Support Specialist Supervisor Training
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2
The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) Peer certification standards require that Peer certification program, such as the current Peer Mentor Certificate through San Jose City College, include a component on supervision connected to the certification process. SAMHSA-based Peer Support Specialist Supervision Training will include the administrative, educative and supportive functions of a peer supervisor, as well as essential functions of supervisors and a strengths-based supervision approach. This course will address ethics and boundary issues, integration of peer workers in the workplace, as well as selected competencies for peer supervisors.
ADS 098 ADS Directed Study
- Units
- 0.5-9
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 2.07
- Advisory
- Students will have completed ADS 170-176 or equivalent.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Individual or small groups of students, with previous coursework in the discipline, who would benefit from Independent Study under the direction of faculty members in specific or related disciplines may develop individualized learning contracts designed to enhance their individual instructional programs. The students and the faculty member will develop appropriate learning outcomes and activities. The number of units to be earned will be determined by the faculty and Division Dean. Instructions and the Learning Contract forms are available in the Division office. Repeatable to a maximum of 9 units across all disciplines.
ADS 138 Work Experience
- Units
- 1-6
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 2.07
- Prerequisite
- ADS 090 or ADS 077A or ADS 077B; minimum grade C. Or be employed or a volunteer at an approved work-site for the minimum number of hours per unit as stipulated for paid and unpaid status.
- Corequisite
- Be employed or a volunteer at an approved work-site for the minimum number of hours per unit as stipulated for paid and unpaid status.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Work Experience is designed for students who work or volunteer in a field related to their career major. Students are required to provide evidence that they are enrolled in a career program (e.g., education plan or coursework in a career/technical subject area). Students can earn one unit of credit for each 60 hours of unpaid volunteer time or 75 hours of paid work during the semester. Students can repeat Career/Technical Work Experience, combined with General Work Experience, or alone, up to a maximum of 16 units. Internship/job placement is not guaranteed.
ADS 177A LAADC Supervised Practicum A
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 1.5
- Prerequisite
- ADS 170 and ADS 171 and ADS 172 and ADS 173 and ADS 174 and ADS 176; all with C or better.
- Corequisite
- 3 units of ADS 138 Prerequisite: Must have graduate degree in counseling, psychology or social work per LAADC requirements.
Students examine the dynamics of substance abuse counseling and work to integrate the theories and concepts of chemical dependencies. Students are required to co-enroll in three units of ADS 138 Work Experience (to meet a minimum of 150 hours completed in an approved CD treatment facility, and under the direct supervision of a staff member meeting LAADC (Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor) approved standards.
ADS 177B LAADC Supervised Practicum B
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 1.5
- Prerequisite
- ADS 177A with a C or better.
- Corequisite
- 3 units of ADS 138 Prerequisite: Must have graduate degree in counseling, psychology or social work per LAADC requirements.
Students learn to apply and integrate the acquired knowledge and values from prior LAADC course work. Students are required to co-enroll in three units of ADS 138 Work Experience (to meet a minimum of 150 hours completed in an approved CD treatment facility, and under direct supervision of a staff member meeting LAADC (Licensed and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor) approved standards).