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U0.1 | INTRODUCTION TO ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS - AOD crash course

eLEARNING SERIESINTRODUCTION TO ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS
MODULE NAMEAOD crash course
MODULE NUMBERModule 1 of 2
LEARNING LEVELTraining for non AOD/MH workers
TARGET AUDIENCEAnyone who is not working in a specialist AOD or mental health role or setting.
MODULE AIM

This introductory module is designed to help learners obtain the basics of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) work, including how to communicate about AOD use, understand substance effects, and provide initial support to individuals dealing with AOD issues.

It is recommended for anyone working in settings where AOD use may be a concern, but is not the primary focus of your role. This may include general health, community, housing, employment, welfare and statutory services, as well as university and tertiary level education students.
Workers employed within specialist AOD and mental health settings are advised to skip this module and proceed directly to Learning Levels 1, 2 and 3 where these concepts, theories and skills are explored in greater detail.
PLEASE NOTE: Some of this content is also covered in other eLearning modules available from Insight and Dovetail.
If you primarily work with young people, we recommend completing our 'Introduction to working with young people and drugs' eLearning module, where many of the same concepts and practice principles are covered.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this module, learners will be able to:

  • use terminology and language related to AOD and people who use drugs (PWUD) that promotes inclusivity and reduces stigma
  • describe the effects of major classes of psychoactive substances and use tools to expand this knowledge as needed
  • describe the components of the AOD treatment system to effectively guide and support individuals with substance use issues through informed information giving
  • initiate AOD-related conversations to offer support and explore potential treatment or harm reduction strategies with individuals experiencing problematic AOD issues.
LENGTH1 hour
CPDParticipation in this activity may contribute to CPD. A Statement of Completion will be issued on completion of this module. 
REFERENCE LISTThe full reference list for this module is available on request.
SUGGESTED CITATIONInsight: Centre for AOD Training and Workforce Development. Introduction to alcohol and drugs: Alcohol and other drug - Crash course. Brisbane: Queensland Health; 2025. Available from: https://insight.qld.edu.au/training/elearning
COPYRIGHT INFORMATIONThis resource is licensed under Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0). This license requires that reusers give credit to the creator. It allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, even for commercial purposes.
LAST UPDATEDSeptember 2024
REVIEW AND FEEDBACKAs part of our commitment to continuous quality improvement our eLearning modules undergo a minor review every 2 years, and a major review every 4 years. All evaluation responses are carefully considered during these reviews.  If you have significant or urgent feedback, we encourage you to email us directly at insight@health.qld.gov.au