Substance Abuse/Dependence

Catalog description

This course will provide an overview of one of the most common conditions encountered by clinicians: substance use disorders. Failure to identify and provide treatment and/or referral for substance use disorders can undermine the effectiveness of psychological interventions. Successful recognition and treatment, on the other hand, improves treatment outcomes and provides numerous professional opportunities for the practicing psychologist. After an overview and brief history of the field, this course will consider: definitions of terms, epidemiology, screening and assessment, evidence based treatment approaches, the outcome literature, the neurophysiology of abuse and dependence, pharmacologic treatment, “dual diagnosis,” coerced treatment, employee assistance, nondrug addictions, and health care policy issues.