CEFS 691 is Liberty's graduate course in substance abuse counseling. Its written work is a 6 to 7-page paper on your state's substance abuse counselor certification, two 6 to 7-page experiential papers on attending AA and NA meetings, a two-part paper applying theoretical models of addiction to stories heard in meetings, and four forums (a 350 to 450-word thread and two 200 to 300-word replies), the last after attending Al-Anon meetings.
Liberty's catalog lists the course as CEFS 691 Substance Abuse: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention, 3 credit hours; Canvas and the course guide file print it as CEFS691.
What CEFS 691 covers
The catalog description: A course designed to introduce the student to current counseling and treatment techniques for substance abuse. Emphasis is placed on etiological factors, physiological and psychological effects, and related behaviors.
The course prepares counselors to understand and treat substance use disorders, including models of addiction, assessment, motivational interviewing and recovery support. The texts are Capuzzi and Stauffer, Foundations of Addictions Counseling, and Miller and Rollnick, Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change.
Twenty chapter quizzes (380 points) have no guide here. Students attend two AA, two NA and at least two Al-Anon meetings; choose open meetings and protect every member's anonymity in what you write. Each week runs Monday to Sunday, and the final week ends Friday.
Textbook named in the published guide: Capuzzi & Stauffer, Foundations of Addictions Counseling (2016). Miller & Rollnick, Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (2013). Check the current edition in your Canvas section.
CEFS 691 assignments, week by week
Every graded written assignment in the published guide has its own how-to guide below. Quizzes, exams, checklists and class introductions are left out because there is nothing to write.
| Week | Assignment | Points | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Substance Abuse Certification Paper | 100 | 6 to 7 pages |
| 2 | Discussion Board Forum 1 | 50 | Thread 350 to 450 words; replies 200 to 300 words |
| 3 | Experiential Paper 1: AA | 100 | 6 to 7 pages |
| 4 | Discussion Board Forum 2 (AA) | 50 | Thread 350 to 450 words; replies 200 to 300 words |
| 5 | Experiential Paper 2: NA | 100 | 6 to 7 pages |
| 6 | Discussion Board Forum 3 (NA) | 50 | Thread 350 to 450 words; replies 200 to 300 words |
| 7 | Theoretical Models and Approaches: Experiential Paper | 100 | Not set in the guide; Part 1 needs at least 2 paragraphs per model |
| 8 | Discussion Board Forum 4 (Al-Anon) | 50 | Thread 350 to 450 words; replies 200 to 300 words |
Week 1: Substance Abuse Certification Paper
A 6 to 7-page APA paper on your state's requirements for a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor or equivalent credential. How to write CEFS 691 Week 1 Substance Abuse Certification Paper.
Week 2: Discussion Board Forum 1
A 350 to 450-word thread on the week's addiction counseling reading, then two 200 to 300-word replies. How to write CEFS 691 Week 2 Discussion Board Forum 1.
Week 3: Experiential Paper 1: AA
A 6 to 7-page paper summarizing and integrating your experience of two Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. How to write CEFS 691 Week 3 Experiential Paper 1: AA.
Week 4: Discussion Board Forum 2 (AA)
A 350 to 450-word thread on your AA meeting experience, then two 200 to 300-word replies. How to write CEFS 691 Week 4 Discussion Board Forum 2 (AA).
Week 5: Experiential Paper 2: NA
A 6 to 7-page paper summarizing and integrating your experience of two Narcotics Anonymous meetings. How to write CEFS 691 Week 5 Experiential Paper 2: NA.
Week 6: Discussion Board Forum 3 (NA)
A 350 to 450-word thread on your NA meeting experience, then two 200 to 300-word replies. How to write CEFS 691 Week 6 Discussion Board Forum 3 (NA).
Week 7: Theoretical Models and Approaches: Experiential Paper
A two-part paper applying models of addiction to stories heard in meetings: one model from each of 4 categories with an example story, then one member's story evaluated with at least 2 models. How to write CEFS 691 Week 7 Theoretical Models and Approaches: Experiential Paper.
Week 8: Discussion Board Forum 4 (Al-Anon)
After attending at least 2 Al-Anon meetings, a 350 to 450-word thread and two 200 to 300-word replies. How to write CEFS 691 Week 8 Discussion Board Forum 4 (Al-Anon).
How CEFS 691 is graded
The published guide totals 1,010 points. The four forums are 50 each (200), the certification paper 100, the two experiential papers 100 each (200), the theoretical models paper 100, quizzes 380 and the checklist 10.
| Graded item | Points |
|---|---|
| Discussion Board Forums (4) | 200 |
| Substance Abuse Certification Paper | 100 |
| Experiential Papers (2) | 200 |
| Theoretical Models and Approaches Experiential Paper | 100 |
| Quizzes (20) | 380 |
| Course Requirements Checklist | 10 |
The published scale puts an A at 940 to 1010 points.
Week timing in the published guide: Each course module/week begins on Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
How to approach CEFS 691
Find open AA, NA and Al-Anon meetings near you in Week 1; you need two AA meetings by Week 3, two NA meetings by Week 5 and two Al-Anon meetings by Week 8.
The certification paper is due in Week 1, so look up your state's credentialing board immediately.
Questions students ask
What meetings does CEFS 691 require?
Two Alcoholics Anonymous meetings (Experiential Paper 1), two Narcotics Anonymous meetings (Experiential Paper 2) and at least two Al-Anon meetings (the final forum); open meetings are appropriate for visitors, and members' anonymity must be protected.
What is the CEFS 691 certification paper?
A 6 to 7-page APA research paper on the requirements for a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, or the equivalent credential, in the state where you live or may live, with 3 to 4 references in addition to the textbooks.
Working through CEFS 691 now?
Tell us the week and the assignment. A tutor who knows the course replies with a plan for the draft.