The MSc in Clinical Interventions in Addictions is a Joint Postgraduate Program between the Department of Psychology and the School of Medicine of the University of Crete in collaboration with the Organization Against Drugs (OKANA). The program provides postgraduate education and training by focusing on the most recent psychological, biological and ecological approaches in considering drug abuse and, and its effective prevention and treatment.

The curriculum integrates theory and practice oriented clinical understanding with the latest evidence-based knowledge regarding assessment, treatment, and prevention of substance abuse and dependence. The coursework focuses on the following fields of knowledge:

  • Biological bases of addiction
  • Individual addiction interventions
  • Group addiction interventions
  • Family interventions in addictions
  • Quantitative Research Methodology and Statistics
  • Qualitative Research Methodology
  • Prevention and Health Promotion

The curriculum is based on close collaboration with a network of clinicians, researchers and clinical faculty who have a shared commitment to excellence in prevention and treatment work, and to supporting and strengthening national endeavors in this field.

The program is designed and implemented within a professional education paradigm of teaching and learning that includes lectures, seminars, workshops, practice supervision groups, reflective learning exercises, culminating in an internship training experience and an MSc thesis. The research component and final MSc thesis aim to contribute to the evidence-based knowledge in substance abuse prevention and treatment.

The internship entails placement in an addiction treatment facility or Drug Use Prevention Center administered within OKANA.

OKANA is the national coordinator of addiction services. The organization provides programming and services in the fields of prevention, harm reduction, therapy/recovery and reintegration.