Addiction Recovery

Overview

Develop expertise in Addiction Recovery principles and practice and explore your future career with this MA. This Master's Degree is an ICHAS (Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences) programme. ICHAS are responsible for its delivery & all academic matters pertaining to it.



The programme is designed for graduates who wish to enhance their own professional skills and capacity and contribute to the wider community of addiction services through evidence-based knowledge and research. Graduates will be able to expand their knowledge and understanding of the human condition and the contribution of theoretical and applied perspectives at advanced level to addiction recovery.



Why Study with ICHAS?

This course will be of interest to those who have responsibility for the delivery and implementation of addiction services, and for graduates in health and human sciences and in particular graduates of counselling and psychotherapy related programmes as well as disciplines such as, nursing, social care, social work, psychology and programmes in cognate areas.



The MA in Addiction Recovery is designed to provide high-quality educational training to health and Social care practitioners who are driven by a desire to gain advanced knowledge of addiction recovery in order to act as leaders and agents for change across the range of ecological interactions. This implies a recognition of the special contribution made by professional addiction practitioners using a range of scientifically established paradigms and approaches to support recovery and the difference this can make to individuals, their families and communities.



The programme envisages well-being holistically and systemically with recovery viewed at policy and preventative levels within the context of how public health models can most effectively enrich the lives of individuals and communities.

Module Information

The Programme is divided into 9 modules each of which has Educational Credits (ECTS) associated with them (please see a list of the individual module titles and the associated credits below). Each Module may also be taken on a standalone basis. It is also important to note that learners who complete 60 ECTS and who wish to exit the programme without completing their Dissertation may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction Counselling.



Module Outline

The course covers a range of subjects that are structured to develop competent professional practitioners. The subjects covered are designed to be both practical and theoretical as per the table below:



Module Name:

Understanding Addiction

Skills & Competencies in Addiction Counselling

Contemporary Evidence Based Interventions in Addiction Recovery

Research Methodologies & Design

Community Reinforcement Approach & Family aspects in Addiction

Comorbidity & Trauma Informed Care

The Recovery Model in Addiction



Elective:

Dissertation



Elective (students must choose one of the following):

Behavioural & Process Addictions

Substance Use Disorders & The Recovery Model

Gambling Addiction & The Recovery Model

Neuropharmacological Aspects of Substance Use Disorders



Learners on the MA in Addiction Recovery are required to complete 90 ECTS (as outlined above) over one academic year and are required to take one elective module from the list above. This programme has been structured to provide learners who wish to study Addiction Recovery principles and practices through a more inter and transdisciplinary perspective. It also provides an opportunity to study material which addresses both the principles and ethos of recovery-orientated practices, as well as psychotherapeutic approaches to supporting individuals on a ‘wellness’ journey. The programme envisages wellbeing holistically and systemically with recovery viewed at policy and preventative levels within the context of how public health models can most effectively enrich the lives of individuals and communities.

Domestic Applicants:

• The knowledge, skills and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 programme requires applicants to have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Level 8 Human Science degree on the NFQ – or equivalent.



• The knowledge, skills and competence required to participate in and complete this Level 9 programme successfully will normally require applicants to have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Level 8 degree.



• Those who have completed other relevant educational programmes or have relevant professional experience etc., where Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Acquired Prior Learning (APL) can be applied to the programme by submitting programme content, qualification, and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Level 8 award at an Honours 2:2 standard, can also be considered.



• All applicants are required to be over 23 years of age.



International Applicants:

• If English is not your native language, you must show that your English level is of a suitable standard, i.e B2+ in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5.



• All international applicants must meet the visa requirements for study in Ireland.



• All applicants must attend an interview to ascertain their suitability for the programme.



• Successful applicants would be required to complete Garda Vetting at the College.

Applications for this course are submitted through the ICHAS website. When you click on "Application Weblink" above, you will be directed to ICHAS to complete your application.

1 Year Full-Time / 2 Years Part-Time.



Campus(es) Where the Course is Available

Full-Time: Students on this programme will be taught across two campuses in Limerick - both at ICHAS Limerick and Griffith College Limerick.



Timetable:

The programme can be completed on a full-time basis over one year (3 semesters) or on a part-time basis over two years (6 semesters). The programme uses a blended learning approach.



Timetables will be made available closer to the course start date. Please contact ichas@griffith.ie for further information.

Intake Dates:

Limerick - Part-Time - September 2026

Dublin - Part-Time - September 2026

Cork - Part-Time - September 2026

Dublin - Full-Time - September 2026

Cork - Full-Time - September 2026

Career Progression

The Masters in Addiction Recovery is targeted at those who wish to enhance their employability and career progression prospects in statutory, community and voluntary sectors and Addiction Service environments. It is targeted at learners seeking to critically evaluate institutionalised practices and values, and act as agents for challenge and change in their professional contexts.



The programme will address the needs of graduates who wish to develop their professional competence in areas of Addiction Recovery principles through advanced study and research, develop personal and professional capacity and collaborative problem solving skills, underpinned by evidence-based practice and reflection.



Examples of such roles include:

Supervisor - Addiction Services

Manager - Homelessness Services

Manager - Outreach Services

Team Leader - Addiction Services

Support Services Manager

Family Services Multi-Disciplinary Team Manager

Adjunct Faculty various Academic Institutions



Academic Progression

This programme provides a progression opportunity to complete a range of Programmes at Level 10 nationally and internationally.