Addiction Treatment in Social Work Practice - Evidence-Based and Trauma Informed Culturally Responsive Approaches - May 2026

LIVE ONLINE WORKSHOP

Capability Level: Evolving & Established

Addiction affects 1 in 20 Australians each year, yet many individuals are unable to access the support they need due to stigma, service fragmentation, and systemic barriers. Social workers play a vital role in bridging these gaps—supporting individuals, families, and communities as they navigate the complex realities of substance use.

This training equips social workers with practical, evidence-based skills to assess, engage, and support clients experiencing substance use issues, while recognising the broader social, cultural, and structural factors that shape experiences of addiction.

This interactive workshop will:

· Explore the nature of addiction and its impacts on individuals, families, and communities

· Introduce assessment tools and engagement strategies, including motivational interviewing

· Examine evidence-based interventions and principles of trauma-informed practice

· Provide case-based learning for integrating harm reduction and recovery-oriented approaches into everyday practice

· Strengthen practitioners’ ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary services and advocate for client needs

Who should attend?

This training is suitable for social workers working with people who are struggling to deal with AOD conditions, particularly those working in community health, hospitals, AOD services, or private practice. It is pitched at an evolving level, where participants should have some foundational knowledge of social work practice and be ready to deepen their understanding of addiction treatment.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

· Identify core theories of addiction and their implications for social work practice.

·Apply key screening and assessment tools to support client engagement.

·Address the challenges of working with clients experiencing AOD issues and demonstrate motivational interviewing techniques in addiction-related conversations.

·Analyse case vignettes to design evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions.

· Evaluate the role of families, communities, and systems in supporting recovery.

Event Structure:

Introduction

Learning Session 1: Identify core theories of addiction and their implications for social work practice.

Learning Activity 1: Interactive group discussion, case study and breakout room

Learning Session 2: Address the challenges of working with clients experiencing AOD issues and demonstrate motivational interviewing techniques in addiction-related conversations.

Learning Activity 2: Interactive group discussion, case study and breakout room

Learning Session 3: Analyse case vignettes to design evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions.

Learning Activity 3: Interactive group discussion, case study and breakout room

Learning Session 4: Evaluate the role of families, communities, and systems in supporting recovery.

Learning Activity 4: Interactive group discussion and Polls

Conclusion and Q&A

Hear from the Presenters for this upcoming event ....

AASW Credentials: Mental Health (FPS)

Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy principles, ACT, DBT and psychoeducation will be incorporated into skills practice.

This Workshop is not recorded, however, you will have access to materials and resources on AASW Online Learning for 4 weeks after the completion of the workshop.