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 designed for clinicians, counselors, and mental health providers who work with clients experiencing substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health conditions. The course fulfills the California psychologist pre-licensure requirement for training in alcoholism and chemical dependency detection and treatment (§1382.3). It is suitable for professionals at any stage of their career, including those completing pre-licensure requirements, and is relevant for those working in a variety of clinical settings.

  • Experience Level

    • Open to all career stages, including:

    • Pre-licensure trainees and interns

    • Early-career professionals

    • Experienced clinicians seeking specialized training in substance use and co-occurring disorders

  • Practice Setting

    • Who the training is designed for:

    • Clinicians, counselors, and mental health providers

    • Professionals specializing in addiction, substance use treatment, or co-occurring mental health care

    • Individuals working in outpatient clinics, community mental health centers, private practices, or hospital settings

    • Providers who assess, prevent, and treat substance use disorders

Presented By

Nancy A. Haug, PhD, Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University

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. See bio: https://www.paloaltou.edu/faculty/nancy-haug

View More Programs from this Presenter
Nancy A. Haug, PhD

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).



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) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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), SW CPE 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 and 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #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. CONCEPT Professional Training 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.