Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse

Catalog description

The counselor treating addiction and substance abuse requires a strong foundational knowledge of the nature of drugs and their impact. This course focuses on basic behavioral pharmacology, the behavioral analysis of drug effects, tolerance, and conditioning of drug effects; the nervous system and neurological functioning as it relates to psychological disorders; the effects of medications and other substances on the individual’s cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning; and characteristics of dependence and addiction. In addition, students would examine the pharmacokinetics of drug action(s), the side effects of psychoactive and psychotherapeutic drugs, the development of tolerance, the development of dependency and issues regarding withdrawal, and cross-addiction(s). Additional studies would include the self-administration of drugs, alcohol and its effects, tranquilizers and sedative-hypnotics, inhaled substances, tobacco and nicotine, caffeine and methylxanthines, psychomotor stimulants, opiates, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants and mood stabilizers, cannabis, and hallucinogens.