3 Hours / 3 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder Detection and Treatment: Foundational Knowledge is presented by Nancy A. Haug, PhD.

This program covers the foundations of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) prevention and treatment, including etiological theories of substance use, commonly used substances, basic psychopharmacology, the prevalence of SUDs, assessment methods, diagnostic criteria, and clinical presentations. 

Participants acquire the essential principles of addiction and a theoretical framework from which to plan treatment for specific patients, substances, and co-occurring conditions. Subsequent sessions build upon this program by presenting prevention and intervention approaches, cultural considerations, ethical and legal concerns, referral and community resources, and treatment for at-risk populations.

The 3-hour training is structured to meet the California psychologist pre-licensure coursework requirement for training in alcoholism and chemical dependency detection and treatment (§1382.3). Participants may be clinicians, counselors, or mental health providers at any stage of their career who work in a clinical environment where clients present with substance use or misuse as a primary or co-occurring condition.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe problematic substance use, commonly used substances, and non-stigmatizing terminology
  • 2 Describe current etiological theories and research on substance use and misuse
  • 3 Describe methods for screening, evaluation, and diagnosis of Substance Use Disorders and co-occurring conditions
  • 4 Describe the physiological and medical aspects and effects of alcohol and substance use

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for clinicians, counselors, and mental health providers who work with clients experiencing substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health conditions. It is designed for those specializing in addiction, substance use treatment, or co-occurring mental health care, and fulfills the California psychologist pre-licensure requirement for training in alcoholism and chemical dependency detection and treatment (§1382.3). The course is relevant for professionals who provide assessment, prevention, and treatment for substance use disorders.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychologists
    • Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs)
    • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs)
    • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs)
    • Substance Use Counselors
    • Addiction Specialists
    • Psychiatrists
    • Case Managers working in behavioral health

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) prevention and treatment.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to SUD concepts and seek foundational knowledge of substance use, assessment, and non-stigmatizing language.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience with SUD cases and aim to deepen their understanding of etiological theories, diagnostic criteria, and integrated treatment planning.

    • Advanced: Participants have extensive experience with SUDs, regularly apply advanced assessment and intervention strategies, and seek to refine their expertise in complex or co-occurring presentations.

  • Practice Setting

    Clinicians apply these skills in clinical, community, and integrated healthcare environments delivering assessment, prevention, and treatment for substance use and co-occurring conditions across levels of care. Practice is interprofessional, culturally responsive, and offered in-person or via telehealth; the training aligns with California pre-licensure standards for alcoholism and chemical dependency detection and treatment.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Outpatient behavioral health clinics and private practices
    • Community mental health centers and county programs
    • Integrated primary care/behavioral health and FQHCs
    • Hospital-based psychiatry, consultation-liaison, and emergency departments
    • Residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient SUD programs
    • University counseling centers and school-based health
    • Correctional and forensic treatment settings
    • Telehealth and virtual care platforms
Presented By

Nancy A. Haug, PhD

Nancy A. Haug, PhD is Professor in the Department of Psychology at Palo Alto University. She is core faculty in the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium, and Adjunct Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Haug is a licensed psychologist in California and maintains a private practice in Los Gatos, CA. She has clinical expertise in evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders such as motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based therapies, such as ACT and DBT.



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Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • What is addiction? Introduction and overview

  • Words matter: Stigma and language examples

  • Commonly used drugs and prescription drug misuse; basic psychopharmacology

  • Screening, evaluation, and diagnosis of SUDs with case vignettes

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.