Aug 23, 2026

GRCC Curriculum Database (2026-2027 Academic Year)

CJ 246 - Alcohol Use and Abuse

Description
An analysis of current trends and historical patterns of alcohol use, including the examination of physiological effects, legal, societal, and family impact, as well as treatment and prevention strategies. It is recommended that students have basic knowledge of the criminal justice system, terminology, and theory and basic writing ability prior to enrolling in this course.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Addiction Studies Certificate, Corrections, A.A.A.S., Juvenile Services, A.A.A.S.

Other Courses Where This Course is a Prerequisite: CJ 250; CJ 275
Other Courses Where this Course is a Corequisite: None
Other Courses Where This course is included in within the Description: None

General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:

Understand the context and history of alcohol use.
Analyze the physiological effects of alcohol.
Examine the causes and societal impact of alcohol use.
Understand alcohol use in special populations.
Examine alcohol use models and defense mechanisms
Analyze alcoholism’s impact on families and children
Assess alcohol use and recommend treatment.
Research and communicate findings.
Apply critical thinking and problem-solving.

Course Outline:
I. Nature and Scope of Alcohol Abuse

A. Review of Current Alcohol Use Trends

B. Definition of Terms

C. Process of Alcohol Manufacture

1. Proof

2. Differences in alcohol levels/beverages

D. Outside Influences

1. Advertising

2. Peer Pressure

3. Family Groups

4. Media and Public Figures

E. Cultural/Gender/Racial/Ethnic/Age Differences

1. Ethnic and Racial Differences in Use Patterns

2. Gender Differences

3. Age (Youth/Older Adult) Differences

4. Sexual Orientation Differences

F. Historical Trends

1. Pre-1900

2. 1900-1975

3. 1975-1995

4. 1995-2005

5. 2005-present

II. Physiological Effects of Alcohol

A. Definition of Terms

B. Metabolism of Alcohol

1. Process and Absorption

2. Blood Alcohol Concentration

3. Withdrawal

4. Tolerance and Overdose

C. Systemic Effects

1. Central Nervous System and Brain

2. Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, and Muscular-Skeletal Systems

3. Reproductive System

D. Diseases Influenced by Alcohol

E. Fetal Development

1. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

a. Physiological Effects

b. Learning Disabilities

c. Prognosis

2. Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disability

a. Diagnosis

b. Learning Disabilities

c. Prognosis

F. Genetic Influences on Alcohol Use

III. Alcoholism Models

A. Medical Model of Alcoholism

1. Disease Determination

2. Jellinek Chart

3. Genetic Predisposition

B. Psychoanalytic Model of Alcoholism

C. Moral/Legal Models of Alcoholism

IV. Psychological Effects of Alcoholism

A. Theories of Causation

B. Enabling and Defense System

C. Co-Dependence

D. Dry Drunks

V. Sociological Theories of Alcoholism

A. Theoretical Perspective

B. Political/Societal Influence on Use Pattern

VI. Legal Implications of Alcohol Use

A. Federal and State Laws Governing Alcohol Use

1. Legal Possession

2. Driving Under the Influence

3. Other Offenses

B. Law Enforcement/Court Response

1. Alcohol Level Testing/Field Sobriety

2. Charges

3. Penalties

C. Confidentiality of Client Records

D. Historical Impact

E. Political/Social Influence

VII. Special Populations

A. Gender Differences in Causation and Response

B. Adolescence

1. Physiological Differences

2. Psychological Effects

3. Family and Peer Influence

4. Legal Implications

5. Treatment

C. Elderly Population

1. Medication

2. Special Issues

3. Treatment

D. Sexual Orientation

1. Differences in Causation and Response

2. Treatment

E. Co-Occurring Disorders

1. Treatment Issues

2. Medication

VIII. Alcoholism as a Family Disorder

A. Environmental Issues Influencing Use

B. Parent/Child Alcohol Use

C. Family Roles/Rules

D. Physical/Emotional/Sexual Abuse

E. Adult Children of Alcoholics

1. Adaptation

2. Employment Issues

3. Parenting Issues

4. Multi-Generational Effects

5. Family Reaction to Alcoholism

6. Phases of alcohol use in the family

IX. Assessment

A. Methodologies for Screening and Objective Testing

B. Assessment

C. Interviewing Techniques

1. General Question/Red Flags

2. Verbal and Non-verbal Cues

3. Confrontation Techniques for Denial

D. Certification Required for Assessments

1. Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals

2. Professional Requirements

3. Addiction Studies

X. Treatment

A. Treatment Programming

1. Community Based Treatment

2. Twelve Step/Self-Help Programs

3. Residential Programs

4. Pharmacology

5. Detoxification

6. Sober Living Units/ Sobriety Courts

7. Relapse Prevention

B. Disease Identification and Prevention

C. Success/Failure Rates

D. Future Trends

E. Local Programs

F. Prevention

Course aligned with performance standards required by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP)

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 40-50%

Mediated Instruction: 5-10%

Group Exercises: 10-15%

Case Studies: 10-15%

Assignments: 15-20%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: IRW 101 (Previously IRW 99)

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

GRCC Course Type:
Program Requirement: Meets the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 100891
Course CIP Code: 43.9999
Maximum Course Enrollment: 35
Course Software Utilized: None

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Business & Industry
Department: Criminal Justice
Discipline: CJ
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Certification/License Requirement (list below), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Professionally qualified through work experience in field (Perkins Act or Other) (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Certification by the Michigan Certification Board of Addiction Professionals or Advanced degree specifically in Addiction Studies preferred.

A minimum of 4,000 hours of related work experience is required to satisfy Perkin’s Vocational Act requirements; 2 years of professional employment related to Addiction is required.

Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20260219T14:45:24
Course Review & Revision Year: 2030-2031