Alcohol Use: Policies and Interventions
This module aims to provide a critical overview of policy and practice responses to alcohol use.
Key facts
Overview
On this module you will be provided with the opportunity to develop and enhance your skills in critically reflecting on current issues and up-to-date evidence-based practice research in the field of alcohol use through lectures, seminars and self-directed learning.
In this module you will be provided with the opportunity to develop and enhance your skills in critically reflecting on current issues and up-to-date evidence-based practice research in the field of alcohol use. Although the module will cover developments in the UK and more specifically Scotland, critical appraisal of international approaches will be a core element. Specifically, the module will explore policies and interventions in the fields of harm reduction and treatment as well as current concepts of recovery. The module will focus on models of care including novel harm reduction approaches, pharmacological treatment (such as naltrexone), psychosocial treatment (such as brief interventions, mutual aid and therapeutic communities) and interventions for family members. You will also be provided with a critical knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting various population groups (including those who are experiencing homelessness, in the criminal justice system, young people, older people, those from BME communities and those identifying as LGBTQ+). The module will utilise various theories of problem alcohol use to contextualise the development of both policies and interventions from a sociological perspective.
The course includes students from a range of different disciplines, including practitioners, as such, you will have the opportunity to learn from your peers.
Entrance requirements
A minimum of a second-class honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
For further info contact: wendy.masterton@stir.ac.uk
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking.
- TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Objectives
After successful completion of the module you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the role alcohol plays within society and the dominant discourses around alcohol use and problem alcohol use.
- Critically evaluate local, national and international alcohol policies and the impact on different groups within society.
- Compare and critically evaluate major international approaches to alcohol treatment and harm reduction and consider the theoretical perspectives that have informed their development.
- Critically review approaches to working with specific groups of those affected by problem alcohol use and their families and the implications these may have on individuals and communities.
- Critically consider and reflect on personal and societal values and the ways these might impact on development of alcohol policy and practice.
Structure and content
The module is delivered fully online, with weekly asynchronous lectures (i.e. do in your own time) and live seminars delivered on MS Teams. Each week, there is a different topic of focuses related to alcohol use, topics include, contextualising and defining alcohol use, treatment and harm reduction approaches, interventions, UK and international policy and focus on specific populations effected by alcohol use (e.g. historically marginalised populations, young people etc.).
Delivery and assessment
The module is delivered fully online, with weekly asynchronous lectures (i.e. do in your own time) and live seminars delivered on MS Teams. There are two assessments for this module, both accounting for 50%.
Module coordinator
Employability
This module provides skills and knowledge that is relevant to a range of different careers, these include:
- Policy and advocacy: roles working on the development and or promotion of policies aiming at addressing substance use issues, locally, nationally or internationally.
- Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs): roles that focus on contributing to, and designing, the implementation of public health strategies and programmes.
- Public services: roles providing direct support to individuals with problem substance use.
- Third sector organisations: roles in the non-profit sector that provide support to people with problems substance use.
- Research and academia: role working in research developing an evidence based for substance use policy, treatment and services.
What next?
Contact us
If you have any questions about entry requirements for our continuing professional development and short courses, contact our Admissions team.
For all other questions, please use our enquiry form.