MSc Mental Health and Addiction

Leeds Beckett University

This is where your understanding of mental health and addiction begins. Providing key contextual information, this module clarifies the complex relationship between mental health, distress, madness, addiction and dependency. To further contextualise this, you'll reflect on relevant historical, sociological, cultural, spiritual and health discourses. As you develop a critical understanding of the historical timeline for problematic behaviour and substances, you'll synthesise and suggest ideas for treatment. You'll cover interconnected topics, considering things like the war on drugs, modern addictions - such as gaming, social media and pornography - and how service focus is shifting from medical facilities to community-based care.

Develop your knowledge and understanding of the spectrum of disorders linked to substance use and addictive behaviours. These could be related to numerous things, from alcohol and substances like opioids, cocaine and psychoactive drugs, to gaming and gambling. Throughout the module, you'll build your understanding of the causes (aetiology) and prevalence of these conditions in society. Using diagnostic criteria like DSM-5 and ICD-11, you'll learn how to diagnose and assess these disorders; and explore different treatment approaches. You'll also reflect on the role of international and national standards concerning the prevention and treatment of substance use and addiction disorders.

Gain a grounding in the theoretical, methodological and practical approaches to social research, and learn how to resolve practice-based problems. This module enables you to select, devise, analyse and synthesise research and evidence-based practice findings. We'll look at sources and the nature of evidence, ethical considerations and research theories and approaches as you formulate a research proposal and working hypothesis. You'll consider things like design options, methodologies, project planning, fieldwork preparation, validity and reliability and data analysis. You'll also cover a range of research methodologies, linking these with problem appraisal and appropriate design choices.

Explore the worldwide social, political, economic and technological forces that shape our lived experiences. You'll develop a global understanding of the impact of poverty, inequality and social exclusion on communities and people experiencing mental distress and addiction issues. Studying emerging topics such as psychedelic based recovery, spirituality or ending the war on drugs; you'll partake in debate and critical discussion around the continued prohibition of psychoactive substances. The module considers critical macro-theory relating to globalisation and mental health and addiction. The macro global theory you'll study is then grounded in the local micro-context of mental health and addiction practice.

Harm reduction as an umbrella term for interventions aims to reduce problematic behaviours, often associated with substance abuse. In this module, you'll focus on the theory of harm reduction strategies, underpinning your learning with a commitment to human rights approaches. The concept focuses on a non-judgmental, non-coercive approach to providing services and resources to individuals and communities. The quality of life for individuals and communities is often the driving force for successful policies and interventions. To conclude, you'll critically evaluate how social pedagogy and social justice can work together to provide effective strategies and interventions to those with addiction issues.

This module is the culmination of the knowledge and skills that you've learnt and developed throughout the course, with a specific focus on an area of interest. With the guidance of a supervisor, you'll produce an original piece of independent and advanced research, planning, implementing and reporting on your findings. Your project can take the form of a traditional dissertation or a practice-based enquiry. You'll be expected to show initiative and responsibility throughout the process, as well as the capacity to reflect on evidence and make cohesive links with research theory and practice.