Level 2 Award in Understanding Substance Misuse (USM-L2)
Timeline: 10 Weeks | Study method: Online | Class time: 3 hours per week | CPD recognised qualification | Code: USM‑L2
Approved by:
Next course dates - coming soon
If you are interested in enrolling in this course, please sign up to the wait list and we’ll let you know when enrollment is open.
Why This Course Matters
Substance misuse rarely arrives labelled.
It shows up as missed appointments. Emotional volatility. Physical health concerns. Relationship breakdown. Risk-taking. Shame. Silence.
For people in helping roles, this can feel uncomfortable:
“Is this something I should be noticing?”
“What if I misread it?”
“What’s my responsibility and what isn’t?”
This course is designed to answer those questions clearly and ethically.
The Level 2 Award in Understanding Substance Misuse gives you a solid, professional understanding of substances, patterns of use, risk, harm and the human reasons behind misuse without pushing you beyond your role or competence.
It’s about awareness, not diagnosis. Understanding, not judgement. Confidence, not guesswork.
Note: The new BACP SCoPEd Framework requires all counsellors to have:
‘The ability to understand core issues relating to the role of psychiatric drugs, dependence and withdrawal and the implications these have for clients or patients in therapy.’
This course pairs well with:
✓ Level 2 Award in Counselling Skills
✓ Level 3 Counselling Studies
✓ Level 4 Counselling Studies
✓ Level 3 Life Coaching Studies
✓ Level 4 Diploma in Life Coaching
✓ Future CPD workshops on trauma, safeguarding and ethical practice
“This course has been brilliant! The tutor’s support and guidance and their personal knowledge and experience was of great value. The topics covered were really relevant to the subject and the course work helped me solidify the learning.”
— Level 2 USM studentWho This Course is for & What To Expect
This course is suitable for anyone working in a helping role, supporting role or people-focused role, including counsellors, trainee counsellors, coaches, therapists, emergency service workers and support staff, health and social care staff, carers, educators, support workers, volunteers and peer supporters.
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You will explore:
Substances and their effects, including alcohol
Routes of administration and associated risks
Signs and symptoms of use, misuse and dependency
Overdose awareness and harm reduction
Blood-borne viruses and health risks
Substance use and pregnancy
Reasons people misuse substances
Patterns of use and escalation
Social assumptions and stereotypes
Reflecting on your own attitudes and responses
Professional boundaries and referral pathways
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Fully online
10 weeks
Live weekly sessions (3 hours)
Built-in breaks in the training weeks to help this work alongside your other commitments.
Assessment is via a digital portfolio with no exams!
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Delivered by drawing on experience across counselling, psychotherapy, coaching and frontline policing. This brings practical insight into risk, safeguarding, professional decision-making and real-world presentation of substance misuse.
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This course does not train you to treat addiction or provide substance misuse interventions. It does build awareness, confidence, ethical clarity and professional understanding.
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Upon successful completion of the course, you will:
Feel more confident recognising indicators of misuse
Understand your role and professional limits
Respond with awareness rather than assumption
Hold a recognised CPCAB Level 2 qualification
Gain relevant CPD for your role
Accreditation & Credibility
✓ CPCAB Level 2 Award in Understanding Substance Misuse (USM-L2)
✓ Nationally recognised and suitable as CPD
Investment, Application & Next Steps
You can pay in full, or we offer installments over a 8 month payment plan.
To apply: Submit your application form below, after which you will be contacted for an interview. If approved you will then be required to pay the deposit (CPCAB registration fee) to secure your place.
Pay In Full
Option to pay the course fees in full
Complete the application form to get started (CPCAB registration fee due after approval)
£380
(price not including the £61 registration fee, which must be paid in full and is non-refundable once the course has started)
Payment Plan
Pay over 8 months - interest free!
Complete the application form to get started (CPCAB registration fee due after approval)
£47.50 x 8
Payments will be taken by direct debit over 8 months
(price not including the initial £61 registration fee, which must be paid in full and is non-refundable once the course has started)
Learner Stories
“As in my counselling training, never judge. My assumptions at the start of the course are a million miles away to where I am now. This was one massive eye opener!”
— Level 2 student“Absolutely brilliant course. Sharon is down to earth, supportive and knowledgeable. The course flowed really well and was delivered professionally and made as simple as possible. I would recommend this course to anyone who wishes to develop their knowledge in a safe non judgemental environment with expert leadership from the tutor.”
— Level 2 student“In my experience some counselling tutors are good therapists but can be poor tutors and do not manage courses or learners very well. I feel this is different already and Sharon holds the course with confidence in turn making me feel supported.”
— Level 2 student
Join us on Level 2 Understanding Substance Misuse CPD course today
If you're ready to transform your knowledge into usable, practical skills, and use theories and models that are the framework of ethical counselling… This is your next step.
Please note we run courses once there is sufficient interest to ensure a high-quality learning experience for everyone, so please join the waitlist if you’d like to join us. As soon as numbers align and a new date is confirmed, we’ll be in touch with full details and clear next steps.