bshs457 | undergraduate

Codependence & Working With Families

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In this course students will demonstrate an understanding of the impact of controlling behaviors and supporting dysfunction in relation to addictions and families. Theories of codependency are explored as a disease of loss of selfhood and an addiction resulting from an imbalance of inner and outer self-awareness. Cardinal characteristics of codependence are examined with a focus on chronic, progressive, malignant and treatable features. Students will demonstrate understanding and skill in case management and referral for treatment in addition to assisting clients with recovery goals, self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-responsibility and self-reflection with a focus on prevalence, and consequences of codependency in families. (3 credits). Prerequisite: BSHS/456



This undergraduate-level course is 5 weeks This course is available as part of a degree or certificate program. To enroll, speak with an Enrollment Representative.

Course details:

Credits: 3
Continuing education units: XX
Professional development units: XX
Duration: 5 weeks

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    The Environment for Families of Addicts

    • Distinguish the traits of a child of an alcoholic as defined by Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA).   
    • Evaluate common conditions of  young children of substance abusers and its impact on childhood development. 
    • Describe the changes in the adult child that contribute to breaking the intergenerational addiction cycle.

    • Describe the intergenerational effects of substance abuse on individuals, families’, and cultures within society.

    • Explain how intergenerational patterns of substance abuse are manifested in codependency.

    Codependency, Abuse and Referral

    • Specify best practices related to screening and assessment and referrals of addicted persons.

    • Explain the role of abuse history on codependency.

    • Examine the relationship between domestic violence, codependency and family dysfunction.

    • Compare functional and dysfunctional family traits.

    • Evaluate rationale for addiction problems and referral opportunities for the human services professional

    The Nature of Addiction

    • Identify the characteristics of addiction and codependency.

    • Examine the multilayered meanings of addiction and the historical context of addiction.

    • Differentiate between use, misuse and abuse of substances.

    • Explain the consequences of  uncontrolled addiction.

    • Evaluate the implications of an all-inclusive view of codependency on addition recovery.

    The Recovery Process, Engaging the Codependent

    • Identify approaches to minimize denial in the codependent. 
    • Describe strength based approaches which assist codependent clients with recovery goals, increasing self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-responsibility and self-reflection.

    • Explain the implications of codependency in the helping professional.

    • Strategize a prevention program for reducing codependency in adolescents. 

    Substance Abuse and Dependent Behaviors

    • Examine medical, physical,  emotional and psychological effects of substance abuse.
    • Analyze the 5 dysfunctional patterns of codependency as defined by CODA (Codependents Anonymous). 
    • Explain how the process of recovery in CODA aligns with the addict’s recovery.
    • Describe the effects of codependence on healthy family functioning. 

    • Discuss the twelve promises of co-dependents anonymous (C.O.D.A.) and how these changes in a codependent might affect the addict(s) and their families.

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    Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.