Addictions & Substance Abuse — Level 1
"Understanding and Awareness — a comprehensive, evidence-based foundation for navigating addiction."
About Addictions & Substance Abuse — Level 1
Addiction touches almost every South African family. Whether you are trying to understand what is happening to someone you love, navigating your own recovery, or building the skills to support people affected by substance use in your community or profession — this programme meets you where you are.
The Short Learning Programme (SLP) in Addictions and Substance Abuse is a comprehensive 20-week, 17-module online programme delivered by VARSITORIUM. It is grounded in the science of addiction, informed by the South African context — tik, nyaope, alcohol, the dop system, the role of Ubuntu in healing — and built for real people navigating real situations.
The programme is structured across four levels, each with its own focus and audience.
Foundation and Level 1 are for everyone.
Level 2 is for family members and supporters.
Level 3 is for people navigating their own recovery and those who want to contribute to prevention and advocacy in their communities.
Modules
Genetic predisposition · Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) · Trauma as a driver · Social and environmental risk · Protective factors · Youth vulnerability in South Africa · Gender and addiction
Behavioural, physical and emotional warning signs · Understanding denial · AUDIT and ASSIST screening tools · Crisis recognition · How to approach a conversation · What not to say
Health consequences by substance · Family system dynamics · Children in addiction-affected households · Financial and occupational consequences · SACENDU data on SA impact · Community-level harm
The harm reduction philosophy · Needle exchange and naloxone programmes · Opioid substitution therapy · Safe use messaging · SANCA and TB HIV Care harm reduction services · The evidence base
Types of treatment: detox, residential, outpatient, peer support · Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) · The South African public and private treatment landscape · SANCA, SADAG and public services · Accessing help in South Africa
Is this programme right for you?
Level 1 is for all audiences. It moves from the foundations of addiction science into the practical territory of risk, recognition, impact, harm reduction, and treatment. By the end of Level 1, any learner — regardless of their personal relationship to addiction — will have a comprehensive, evidence-based understanding of how addiction works and what can be done about it.
Who you will learn from
Ready to take the next step?
Secure your place in the next intake or request a full programme information pack before you commit.