Institutional denial or minimization: substance abuse training in social work education

Substance abuse in the United States has reached catastrophic proportions. 23.6 million people needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem (1). According to the National Association of Social Workers, 60% of all mental health services are carried out by social workers (3). Therefore, social workers are in a critical and unique position to address substance abuse. This study examined the education and training new social workers receive at 216 graduate programs accredited or in-candidacy for accreditation by the Council of Social Work Education. An overwhelming number did not have substance abuse courses as a requirement for all students, and a significant number did not have one course dedicated to substance abuse. These astounding deficiencies can only be described as an institutional denial or minimization.