NURSING 6204 - Co-Existing Addiction and Mental Health Disorders

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025

This course will examine the scientific basis of addiction, mental health and related comorbidities. Issues to be discussed include; comparative epidemiology, national mental health and drug and alcohol policy, integrated systems for evidence-based interventions and the need for a holistic philosophy of practice. The first part of the course provides the background by giving an overview of comorbidity. We examine the concepts and theories underpinning the coexistence of addiction, mental illness and other coexisting disorders in an individual and present them in worldwide and local contexts. The second part of the course deals with comorbidity in the areas of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander and migrant cultures, adolescence, pregnancy and childbirth, forensics, defence forces and other specialised areas. We examine best practice for service providers and practitioners to provide effective therapeutic interventions and coordinated approaches.

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Course Details

Course Code	NURSING 6204
Course	Co-Existing Addiction and Mental Health Disorders
Coordinating Unit	Adelaide Nursing School
Term	Semester 2
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Contact	Fortnightly Online Tutorials
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	NURSING 6205
Restrictions	Graduate Diploma in Addiction & Mental Health or Master of Nursing Science
Assessment	Online quiz, learning portfolio, essay

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Andrea Gordon

Course Coordinator: Andrea Gordon
Phone: +61 8 8313 5983
Email: andrea.gordon@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Rm 311, Level 3, Helen Mayo South

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Discuss the theoretical explanations of comorbidity.
2	Describe the epidemiology and policies related to comorbidity on a National level
3	Outline the service models and approaches for persons with comorbid conditions
4	Contrast therapeutic interventions that are suitable for responding to comorbid conditions.
5	Recommend service models appropriate for assessment and care of comorbidity
6	Demonstrate flexible approaches when responding to clients from diverse backgrounds and social circumstances
7	Demonstrate the ability to research and utilise the latest evidence relevant to comorbidity

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-7
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1,2,7
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	3,6
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	2,5
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	6,7
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	5,6
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	5,7
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	4,5

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Reader
The readings for this course are available electronically via MyUni.
Please note: it is your responsibility to organise printing should you prefer a hard copy of readings.

Online Learning

All students enrolled in the postgraduate coursework courses will have access to a Discussion Page on MyUni. If you would like the opportunity to network with other students, you can use these pages for broader communication and discussion on course content. Alternatively, the Communication features in on MyUni can also be used to converse directly with your peers.

All notes, resources manuals and papers for content and assessment tasks are available on MyUni as well as lists of suitable readings, online quizzes and links to external websites.
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes

The course offers flexibility and is designed for distance learning, but students should attempt to work through material on a weekly basis through self-directed learning. Each week will focus on one topic, with the topics supported through readings and interactive activities designed to test and consolidate your knowledge and develop skills to critique literature discussed. Each topic has been designed to provide you with a deeper understanding of comorbidity.

Throughout this study guide you will encounter activities which will give a greater understanding of the particular topic and its application to Co existing Addiction and Mental Health conditions. These activities will make up part of the assessment for Co existing Addiction and Mental Health

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Co existing Addiction and Mental Health is a 6 unit course within the Graduate Diploma of Addiction and Mental Health. It is expected that your own private learning and completion of activities will be in the order of 24 hours per week.

Learning Activities Summary
The course content will include the following:
1. Epidemiology of comorbidity
2. Overview of policy frameworks in comorbidity
3. Comorbidity substance use and anxiety disorders
4. Comorbidity substance use and depressive disorders
5. Comorbidity substance use and personality disorders
6. Comorbidity substance use and bipolar and eating disorders
7. Comorbidity substance use and post traumatic distress disorders
8. Comorbidity in the pregnancy and the perinatal period
9. Comorbidity in Indigenous and multicultural populations
10. Comorbidity for homeless persons and those living in rural communities
11. Comorbidity across the lifespan
12. Physical comorbidities
13. Gambling
14. Consumer focussed perspectives
15. Service models for comorbidity
16. Collaborative practice in comorbidity
Specific Course Requirements

There are no requirements for clinical placement for this course

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Assessment Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome(s) being addressed
Online Quiz	Formative	10%	1-2
Portfolio Activities	Summative	50%	All
Essay	Summative	40%	All

Assessment Detail

Assessment 1
Online Quiz
Online quiz will be provided on MyUni.
Feedback will be provided to assist you in developing skills for future assessments.
Length – N/A Weighting – 10% Due - Week 3

Assessment 2
Portfolio activities
Portfolio Activities are included in the Study Guide from Week 3 – Week 12. You are required to complete these activities each week and submit as assessment in two parts Part A in Week 6 and Part B in week 12.
Length – 5000 words Weighting 50% Due - Week 6 & 12

Assessment 3
Essay
You will be required to develop a paper to demonstrate your understanding of the nature of comorbidity and appropriate service responses.
Further details will be available within the Study Guide.
Length – 3000 words Weighting: 40% Due – Week 13

Submission

Assessments, unless otherwise stated in your Study guide, are to be submitted electronically via Assignments in MyUni on the due date identified in this Study guide. Instructions for assignment submission are available for all students under Tutorials at www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/.

An assessment submitted via MyUni must be submitted as a .doc, .docx or .rtf file. If submitting a PowerPoint presentation for marking, the .ppt or .pptx must be submitted as .pdf file. It is also important to submit your file under your name, such as surname.firstname. MyUni stamps all the other details against your filename once you submit your assessment.

An Assignment Coversheet must be submitted with each assessment. The coversheet should be the first page of your assessment. A word version of the Assignment Coversheet is available to download at www.health.adelaide.edu.au/nursing/students/resources. The Plagiarism Statement must be signed and dated for your assessment to be marked (please note the details stated on the Assignment Coversheet). More information on avoiding Plagiarism is available at www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/plagiarism/.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Plagiarism
Students are reminded that plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty constitute a serious offence and can result in disciplinary procedures. Students are advised to read the policy Academic Honesty and Assessment Obligations for Coursework Students Policy & Coursework Students: Academic Dishonesty Procedures policy, available at www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/230/. The following definitions should be noted.

Referencing: providing a full bibliographic reference to the source of the citation (in a style as determined by the School).
Quotation: placing an excerpt from an original source into a paper using either quotation marks or indentation, with the source cited, using an approved referencing system in order to give credit to the original author.
Paraphrasing: repeating a section of text using different words which retain the original meaning.
Please note: changing just a few words does not constitute paraphrasing.

Marking Guide
Portfolio

Structure and Presentation 20%

Structure (15%)
Each section of the portfolio is structured in a logical sequence so that the content flows (headings may be used to develop the structure of the portfolio).

Where appropriate introduces/outlines/situates the activity/discussion.

Where appropriate each section of the portfolio ends with a cogent, defendable conclusion that summarises the discussion within the body of the paper.

Writing Style (5%)
The portfolio is written with clear sentence structure and the spelling and grammar are correct.

Content 70%

Demonstrates an understanding of the activities/discussions chosen by identifying the main components/issues/focus of the topic area.

Provides evidence of support from contemporary literature to support argument/points of view.

Where appropriate for the activity demonstrates critical thought.

Has completed all activities/ discussion points.

Referencing 10%

The referencing style used throughout the summary paper is congruent with the School’s Student Handbook and Style Guide.

The reference list is accurate (i.e. no missing page numbers, volumes, correct title etc), complete (i.e. no references in the body of the paper are missing from the reference list) and consistent with the School’s Student Handbook and Style Guide.

The references cited are contemporary (i.e. less than 10 years old unless seminal papers).

Primary references are used predominantly (i.e. the original reference has been cited rather than a secondary source).

There is evidence in the summary paper that the student has searched widely for information related to the topic/issue.

The student has acknowledged all sources of information.

Direct quotations are only used to make crucial points or to support the discussion/argument.

Essay

Structure and Writing Style 25%
Introduces/outlines/situates the topic of the essay.	Satisfies minimum standard
Clearly describes the way in which the essay will proceed.	Satisfies minimum standard
The essay is structured in a logical sequence so that the content flows (headings may be used to develop the structure of the paper).	Fails Mimimum Standard
The essays end with a cogent, defendable conclusion that summarises the discussion within the body of the paper.	Fails Mimimum Standard
The essay is written with clear sentence structure, clarity of argument and precision of expression and the spelling and grammar are correct.	Adequate Skills
Content 30%
The essay question has been answered or the topic/issue has been discussed.	Scant knoweldge of topic
The essay content has clear links to contemporary nursing practice.	Adequate links with contemporary practice
The student’s paper demonstrates a depth of understanding of the topic and significant issues.	Fails Mimimum Standard
Critical Analysis 30%
Provides a justification/rationale for the argument/discussion	No evidence of ability to construct an argument
Demonstrates reflection on the complex issues surrounding the topic/question	Some evidence of reflection
Discussed the topic from differing perspectives, thereby providing a balanced argument/discussion.	Some evidence of balanced argument
Referencing 15%
The referencing style used throughout the summary paper is congruent with the School Academic Manual.	Somewhat congruent with School Academic Manual
The reference list is accurate (i.e. no missing page numbers, volumes, correct title etc), complete (i.e. no references in the body of the paper are missing from the reference list) and consistent with the School Academic Manual.	Minor inaccuracies
The references cited are contemporary (i.e. less than 10 years old unless seminal papers).	few > 10 years
Primary references are used predominantly (i.e. the original reference has been cited rather than a secondary source).	No secondary references
There is evidence the student has searched widely for information related to the topic/issue.	Little evidence of searching widely
The student has acknowledged all sources of information.	Little acknowledgement of sources
Direct quotations are only used to make crucial points or to support the discussion/argument.	Many direct quotations
Total:

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

NA due to student numbers
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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