Even though addiction professionals work in a broad variety of disciplines and have specific proficiencies, skills, levels of client involvement, and scope of practice, they all have a shared understanding of addiction. This universal knowledge is built on four foundations and considered a prerequisite to the development of specific treatment skills and disciplines. The Foundations include twenty-three competencies addressing core knowledge and attitudes.
I. Understanding Addiction – basic knowledge about substance use disorders
II. Treatment Knowledge – treatment and recovery models
III. Application to Practice – how to apply treatment knowledge to practice
IV. Professional Readiness – issues related to self awareness, appreciation of diversity, ethics and continuing education 7
Click here to view an illustration of how the Transdisciplinary Foundations and their corresponding competencies, knowledge and attitudes are written.
To view the Transdisciplinary Foundations in their entirety, click here.
