The Science of Addiction

Catalog description

This introductory course will cover the broad field of addiction with a focus on the health impact of drug dependence, alcohol abuse and tobacco use. Students will learn about the broad spectrum of addiction disorders and modalities for diagnosis and treatment. A wide variety of approaches for studying addiction using the tools of epidemiology, genetics, pharmacology, neurobehavior, and animal models will be presented, placing emphasis on essential transdisciplinary approaches for understanding and combating addiction disorders. In addition, the impact of addiction on the family and society, and to public policy issues addressing the prevention of addiction will be discussed.