Science of Substance Use Disorders

Catalog description

This course examines the neurobiology and biomedical bases of substance use disorders. Students will develop a broad scientific perspective on the biology of substance use disorders and build a discriminative understanding of different classes of substances of abuse. This course emphasizes biomedical factors as they play a role in etiology, epidemiology, natural history, expression, adverse consequences, treatment, and prevention of diverse substance use disorders. The biological bases of substance use disorders include genetic factors, neuroanatomical and neurophysiological factors that predispose one to substance dependence, medical consequences of drug abuse, and pharmacological interventions. The course introduces fundamental principles of brain function, with emphasis on the physiology, chemistry and pathologies of single neurons and simple neural circuits. Admission to MSW Program or Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Certificate Program.