SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction Care 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
88483  Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction Care 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Rehabilitative Health/Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
South Africa has alarmingly high rates of addiction, with a profound impact on society and also a very poorly skilled work force. With improved neuro-imaging and psycho-biological research, it has become clear that addictions are not merely social problems; they are biological disorders, with strong genetic underpinnings, characteristic brain changes and complex environmental, social and individual determinants. The qualification aims to equip Addiction Care Practitioners with comprehensive knowledge, holistic skills and appropriate values to provide evidence based and effective treatment to clients with addictions.

Rationale:
Dealing with problems before they become chronic can be more effective. A system dedicated to supporting individuals, families and the community to overcome addiction through both prevention and treatment is vital in South Africa. Despite the high burden of substance disorders in South Africa, our workforce in this field needs skills and experience of knowledge of evidence-based best practice. The rationale is to train well rounded Addiction Care Practitioners with comprehensive knowledge, holistic skills and appropriate values to provide evidence-based and effective treatment to clients with substance use disorders. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners are expected to be able to read and critically evaluate academic texts in English and communicate information and their own ideas orally and in written text at NQF Level 7.

Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recognition of Prior Learning is applied in accordance with the rules and practices of the university. The Faculty has a detailed procedure that will be followed - an interview based on a review of a specially written essay or existing reports that show how and on what level the candidate approaches relevant problems. Thus, Recognition of Prior Learning will be used to assist learners who do not meet the admission to access the qualification.

Access to the Qualification:
  • A Bachelor's Degree.
  • Appropriate professional registration in a field relevant to health or social welfare, including social work, medicine, nursing, counselling, psychology or occupational therapy.
  • Should have at least two or more years of professional experience. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of eight Core modules and one Elective module - chosen from a list of three given areas of study.

    Core Modules:
  • Understanding substance use disorders, 12 Credits.
  • Assessment of substance use disorders, 12 Credits.
  • Co-morbidity and substance use disorders, 18 Credits.
  • Introduction to psychology, 12 Credits.
  • Evidence based treatment for substance use disorders, 36 Credits.
  • Case management and service monitoring in substance use disorders, 6 Credits.
  • Families and addiction, 6 Credits.
  • Legal, ethical and professional issues and addictions, 6 Credits.

    Total Credits for the Core modules: 108.

    Elective Modules (Choose one):
  • Children and adolescents with substance use disorders, 12 Credits.
  • Dual disorders, 12 Credits.
  • Psychopharmacology of addiction, 12 Credits.

    Total Credits for the Elective modules: 12.

    Total Credits for the qualification: 120. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate the ability to conduct a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment in a patient with a substance use disorder.
    2. Show proficiency in case management.
  • Range of case management includes but is not limited to: Drawing up a holistic, comprehensive treatment plan that may include harm reduction measures and ongoing monitoring and motivational involvement.
    3. Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment and formulate a risk management plan for individuals with substance use disorder.
    4. Deliver complementary evidence-based interventions for addictions.
  • Range of interventions includes but is not limited to: like-motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy and 12-step facilitation.
    5. Assess a family with a member(s) with substance disorder/s and provide holistic management of the situation.
  • Range of holistic management includes, but is not limited to: Compiling an appropriate treatment plan for the family, providing information and support to families with addictions, indentify and managing individuals at risk from the family's perspective and undertaking basic family counselling.
    6. Apply theoretical knowledge of psychology to clinical cases.
    7. Debate ethical issues relevant to the treatment of patients with addictive disorders.
    8. Discuss service development relevant to the field of addiction treatment and educate patients and families about the organic nature of addiction.
    Or
    9. Perform a comprehensive assessment on a child or adolescent with a substance use disorder and compile an appropriate treatment plan.
    Or
    10. Compile and carry out a comprehensive care plan for a client with a dual diagnosis.
  • Range of the care plan includes, but is not limited to: Full assessment of the client, a suitable treatment plan, performance of evidence based treatment interventions which are suitably adjusted for the severe and enduring mentally ill.
    Or
    11. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of psychopharmacology relevant to the treatment of addictive disorders.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    All the critical cross-field outcomes are addressed in this qualification. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify the different types of substance use disorders and clinical issues relevant to different types of drugs abused.
  • Advocate rights and services where needs are identified for patients.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Describe the theory related to the case management of clients with substance use disorders.
  • Explain the methods of measuring treatment success and service quality in addiction treatment programmes.
  • Report on the measurement of success and service quality in substance use treatment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Describe basic signs and symptoms of major psychiatric disorders and medical disorders, including HIV/AIDS, commonly associated with substance abuse and give a broad overview of how these disorders are managed.
  • Identify the different personality traits and disorders usually associated with substance use disorder.
  • Discuss the impact of trauma on individuals and their association with substance abuse.
  • Explain how co-morbid psychiatric disorders impact on treatment programmes for substance use disorder.

    Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Explain in depth the use of motivational psychology in the treatment of addictions.
  • Apply the theoretic aspect of cognitive behavioural psychology for addictions.
  • Explain the uses of the 12-step facilitation and the Minnesota model of addiction treatment.
  • Apply the methods of screening for substance disorders and carry out brief interventions.
  • Explain the use of other interventions relevant to the treatment of addiction.
    > Range of interventions includes, but is not limited to: Life Skills/aftercare, Self-help/peer led approaches/therapeutic communities and office-based treatment such as network therapy.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5
  • Identify the role of the family with regard to the addicted adolescent or child.
  • Explain the role substance disorders play in intimate partner relationships, including domestic violence.
  • Explain women-specific issues relevant to addictions, including pregnancy and child rearing.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Explain the relevant concepts, principles and theories of psychology.
  • Explain the theories of psychotherapy relevant to addiction, crises intervention, group facilitation, family systems, and other areas of psychology relevant to working in the field of addiction.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Explain relevant legal aspects pertaining to addictions.
  • Explain the fundamentals of ethics, including the Ethics of Addiction Care.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Explain the relevant neuro-anatomy, physiology, bio-behavioural factors, pharmacology of different drugs of abuse and genetics, pertaining to addictions.
  • Explain the epidemiology of addictions and the socio-cultural reasons for addictions and barriers to treatment.
  • Describe public health approaches to addictions, including evidence-based community prevention interventions for addiction.
  • Identify and discuss cross-addictions including the addictive behavioural syndromes.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Explain the developmental perspective of addictive behaviour in children and adolescents and the difference between normative and pathological behaviour.
  • Describe how to adjust an assessment and treatment plan when working with children and adolescents with substance use disorder.
  • Describe the presence and appropriate management of common co-morbid conditions in children and adolescents.
  • Outline the principles of prevention of substance use disorder in children and adolescents.
    Or
    Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Explain the epidemiology of dual diagnosis.
  • Explain how to adjust the assessment process for clients with dual disorder.
  • Describe how treatment is modified for clients with dual disorders.
    Or
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
  • Select suitable candidates for psychopharmacology.
  • Provide selected candidate with relevant information about the use of medications and their possible side-effects and contra-indications.
  • Monitor patients' response to medication, including possible side-effects.
  • Suggest adjustments to dosage regimes where indicated.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment in the programme and its constituting modules is aligned with the University's Assessment Policy. The mode of delivery will be by means of a blended approach, involving face-to-face contact learning, independent study, group activities and work based learning.

    The assessment process will include formative assessment, including case presentations, supervision, logbooks and feedback for supervisors at clinical placements.

    Summative assessments will include assignments and projects, case studies and written/computer based examinations.

    Experiential learning will be assessed though case presentations, supervision, logbooks and feedback from supervisors at clinical placements. Feedback will be expected back within 2 weeks of each placement. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of Adelaide (Australia), King's College London (United Kingdom) and Virginia Commonwealth University (United States America) are jointly offering an International Programme in Addiction Studies (IPAS). The programme aims to develop professionals who are highly prepared to assume leadership roles in the addictions' field throughout the world.

    Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand offers a Graduate Certificate and a Diploma in Addictions.

    Dublin Business School offers a Diploma in Addiction Studies.

    The following are common modules that all the indicated Universities' qualifications contain:
  • Drugs and Drug Problems.
  • Responses to Drug Problems.
  • Pharmacology.

    Apart from those listed above, there are no other full qualifications offered in the world. However, there are numerous short courses that are offered internationally. These short courses have similar modules that may lead to a whole qualification. Further these courses provide learners with an understanding of the major theories of addiction and the models of treatment of addiction.

    Netherlands, De Hoop, The Department of Training & Education: Basic Course Addiction Care:
    Addiction and treatment modules:
  • The professional care contact.
  • Working with treatment plans.
  • Therapeutic models and therapeutic interventions.
  • Managing individual processes of change.
  • Managing processes of change within a group.
  • Prevention strategies and prevention policy.
    This course compares favourably with Stellenbosch University Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction Care as its components deal with similar subjects.

    United Kingdom, Specialist Addiction Services Training and Consultancy: Addiction Courses:
    Courses offered at this institution deal separately with the issues addressed in this qualification, but each course addresses the same subjects addressed in Stellenbosch University Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction Care.

    The Stellenbosch University Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction Care compares with qualifications from the institutions referred to above. The qualifications from these higher institutions of learning have similar modules that make up the whole qualification. This qualification provides learners with an understanding of the major theories of addiction and the models of treatment of addiction. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    This qualification articulates horizontally with any Postgraduate Diploma or Honours Degree in the Health or Social Welfare fields at NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
    This qualification articulates vertically with any Master's Degree in the Health or Social Welfare fields at NQF Level 9. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Assessments are moderated to ensure that they are aligned with the outcomes of the modules, and therefore test students' learning according to specified standards which are clear and unambiguous. All modules will be internally and externally moderated. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The assessor must:
  • Have a higher education qualification that is one level above the modules being assessed.
  • Be an experienced tutor with experience in the particular module. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Stellenbosch University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.