UT Arlington has offered the Substance Use and Treatment program for years as a minor, but Allison Tomlinson, Ph.D., an assistant professor in practice, told KERA’s Sam Baker why the school of social work upgraded the program, beginning with the use of the term substance use instead of abuse.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS:
Substance Use Vs. Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is a term professionals in the field try to no longer use principally because it’s more stigmatizing in terms of considering substance use as something that's morally wrong.
We realize now it's greater than that, that things have taken a turn towards being more humanizing and understanding the issue of substance use more.
So substance use is intentionality on the school of social work's part to help people understand and empathize with the plight of someone who is trying to actively overcome addiction and recover.
How Big Is The Struggle?
- 81% of counties in Texas report having a shortage of mental health professionals, especially in substance use treatment.
- This area of practice has a projected growth of 22% by 2028.
- About 70,000 jobs will be needed to serve people in need of intervention.
- The population’s rising due to epidemic issues with substance use.
We know there's specialized training people need in order to be able to serve individuals affected by substance use. So UT Arlington’s at a point where we're able to offer that.
About The Degree Program
There’s a growing awareness about the type of skills and training you need to provide the services under substance use treatment — a specific skillset that people need to be able to intervene well and effectively.
UTA’s program is the first of its kind in Texas to be housed in a school of social work. Social work is a very broad-reaching profession and at the same time a specific way of intervention. Coupling substance use treatment with the school of social work gives our graduates a very unique skillset.
RESOURCES:
UT Arlington Substance Use and Treatment Degree Program
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Texas Substance Use Disorder Landscape – March 2018
Agency Action Plan to Address Substance Use
Interview highlights were lightly edited for clarity.
Got a tip? Email Sam Baker at sbaker@kera.org. You can follow Sam on Twitter @srbkera.
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