Addiction Studies is a major subject in a Bachelor of Health Science degree at Edith Cowan University.
Alcohol and other drug related problems cost the Australian community $230 billion each year.
Young Australians experience the most drug and alcohol related harms, like assaults, motor vehicle accidents and overdoses.
Unsurprisingly, demand for counsellors, case managers and youth workers continues to be strong, with a shortage reported for Western Australia*.
This can be a rewarding career path, particularly if you've reached 'mature age', say 25 or older.
If you've experienced first-hand how alcohol and other drug abuse can impact lives this may also be a motivator for you to join the counselling profession.
Or maybe you just care about people's wellbeing and want to contribute to making their world a better place?
Meet Dr Jodie Grigg
Jodie Grigg was someone like you.
She completed a Bachelor of Arts in 2008, double majoring in psychology and addiction studies; she has worked in both preventative and treatment focused roles.
Jodie's first job after graduating was as a project officer for Local Drug Action Groups, seeking to prevent alcohol and other drug-related harms through community development.
Jodie then worked as a counsellor at Holyoake, an alcohol and other drugs treatment service.
Having completed her PhD in 2020, Dr Grigg now works as a Research Associate at the National Drug Research Institute, based at Curtin Uni.
There, she supports projects such as the Ecstasy and related Drugs Reporting System and the Illicit Drugs Reporting System.
Jodie attributes her early interest in the field to her initial studies at Edith Cowan University.
Addiction Studies is unique in WA
Speaking of which, Edith Cowan University is the only Australian University to offer Addiction Studies for undergraduate students.
It's a major subject, available through several degree courses.
It helps you understand the reasons why people use alcohol and other drugs and how related harm can be reduced through clinical and preventative interventions.
So if you're considering a career as a counsellor in this field, you should explore the Addiction Studies major at ECU.
If you want to work in a clinic treating people, you can study this major as part of a Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Youth Work, Bachelor of Criminology and Justice or a Bachelor of Counselling.
If you prefer the idea of a more prevention focused role, you should study a Bachelor of Health Science with a double major in Health Promotion and Addiction Studies.
It's always good to have options!
*Source: jobsandskills.gov.au, January 2024.
