PSY 1462 Substance Abuse

Lecture: Introduction to Drugs and Society

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Define what a drug is
• Distinguish between physical and psychological dependence
• Be familiar with how drugs are affected by pharmacological, cultural, social, and contextual factors in society
• Identify the major drugs that are commonly abused
• Discuss the history of drug usage
• Explain how widespread drug use is
• List the four types of drug use
• Describe the trends seen in drug usage
• Recognize the differences in drug users
• Explain how the media promotes drug use
• Describe the attraction of drugs
• Identify how drugs cost society (crime, violence, and workplace)
• Explain the holistic self-awareness approach to drug use

Lecture: Explaining Drug Use and Abuse

Outcomes

• Describe the historical use of drugs worldwide and the changes that have taken place
• List and describe some of the reasons why people use drugs
• Describe the biological explanations for drug use
• Describe and explain the genetic factors associated with drug use, how abused drugs can be positive reinforcers and the possible relationship between drug abuse and psychiatric disorders
• Briefly describe how the American Psychiatric Association has categorized psychiatric disorders
• Describe the relationship between introverted or extraverted personality patterns and usage of some drugs
• Define and explain how the reinforcement and learning theories influence drug behavior
• List and describe the four social influence theories, the social learning theory, labeling, subculture theories and role of significant others
• Describe the common socialization patterns found among drug abusers
• Explain how primary and secondary deviance, master status, and retrospective interpretation are related to drug abuse
• Explain how internal and external controls influence drug taking behavior
• Describe low risk and high risk drug behaviors

Lecture: Regulations and the Law

Outcomes

• Outline the major issues societies have used to determine how they will regulate drug use and abuse
• Describe the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 and explain the significance of this act
• Examine how early laws established a pattern for subsequent laws and policies
• Describe the Kefauver-Harris Amendment and the factors that led up to these changes
• Describe the steps taken by the FDA to consider drugs for marketing
• Explain the program developed in 1972 by the FDA to ensure drugs are safe and effective
• Identify and discuss the Fast Track Rule, the Orphan Drug Law, and the Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 1992
• Discuss the controversy over illegal drug users being sick or criminals and how it has affected the laws and policies that have been developed
• Examine the primary programs developed to combat substance abuse
• Identify the three major strategies developed to combat drug use and abuse
• Explain the pros and cons of legalizing drugs

Lecture: Addictive Behavior and Treatment

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Define what chemical addiction is
• Identify and explain the major models of addiction (moral model, disease model, characterological or personality predisposition model)
• Explain the social and environmental factors that will contribute or encourage drug usage
• Describe the various drug treatment methods used today in the United States

Lecture: Homeostatic Systems

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Describe the major methods of drug administration
• Explain how dose, age, body weight, gender, time, disease process, and emotional state can affect drug actions
• Describe the differences between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system and the major subdivisions
• Describe the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
• Discuss the major functions of the endocrine system
• Explain the process in which a nerve impulse moves from one to another
• Name and discuss what a neurotransmitter is

Lecture: How and Why Drugs Work

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Discern the differences between intended and unintended side effects
• Explain potency and toxicity
• Explain what margin of safety is and its importance
• Identify and explain additive effects, antagonistic effects, and potentiative (synergistic) effects
• Identify and explain the different methods of drug administration and be aware of the onset, duration, and effectiveness of each
• Explain the pharmacokinetic factors affecting drugs
• Identify and explain how physiological and pathological factors can alter reactions to drugs (pregnancy, age, and gender)
• Explain drug tolerance including reverse tolerance and cross tolerance to drugs
• Explain threshold dose, plateau effect, and cumulative effect
• Define biotransformation
• Define physical and psychological dependence

Lecture: Central Nervous System Depressants

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Identify the group of drugs that are Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants
• Describe the history of CNS depressants (bromides, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines)
• Describe the pharmacological effects of sedative-hypnotics
• Discuss why sedative-hypnotics are frequently misused and abused
• Describe the therapeutic effects of CNS depressants
• Differentiate the effects of barbiturates and benzodiazepines
• Describe the CNS depressant properties of non-barbiturates and antihistamines
• Discuss the general approaches taken in treating dependence on CNS depressants

Lecture: Alcohol: Pharmacological Effects

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Discuss how alcohol is a drug
• Explain the psychological and physical effects of alcohol on the body
• Identify factors that influence the absorption of alcohol in the system
• Describe how alcohol is metabolized in the body
• Identify the short-term effects of alcohol on the motor activities, reflexes, coordination, and the major organs of the body
• Identify the long-term effects of heavy alcohol consumption
• Describe the effects of alcohol in pregnancy and FAS
• Describe the nutritional status of alcoholics

Lecture: Alcohol: Behavioral Perspectives

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Describe the current consumption patterns of alcohol in various groups (college, ethnic, and age) in the United States
• Identify and describe the social and economic costs of alcohol use and abuse
• Describe the history of alcohol use within the United States
• Define alcoholism and explain the features that make up alcohol addiction
• Explain how drinking behavior can be influenced by cultural rules and attitudes
• Compare drinking patterns of men and women and the reasons for these differences
• Describe the patterns of binge drinking seen on college campuses today
• Explain how alcohol use can affect social, personal, and academic performance
• Explain how alcoholism affects the family
• Contrast the forms of treatment available

Lecture: Narcotics

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Discuss the different forms (natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic) of narcotics
• Describe the pharmacological effects of narcotics and their therapeutic uses
• Describe the common side effects from the use of narcotics
• Describe the tolerance and dependence that develops with the use of narcotics
• Describe the patterns of heroin use
• Describe the hazards associated with heroin use
• Discuss how Fentanyl-type drugs are being used as substitutes for heroin
• Discuss the pros and cons of methadone and LAAM as a means of reducing dependence on heroin

Lecture: Stimulants

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Describe Amphetamines and how they work
• Describe the approved uses of Amphetamines and the possible side effects
• Describe the history of cocaine and its influence on current recreational use
• Discuss the causes of Amphetamines misuse and abuse
• Explain what “designer” Amphetamines are
• Compare and contrast the various methods of cocaine administration (oral, injected, inhaled, and smoked) and the hazards associated with each
• Identify and describe the treatment methods of cocaine dependence
• Identify the caffeine-like drugs (xanthines) and the common effects
• Discuss the difference between caffeinism and caffeine dependence

Lecture: Tobacco

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Identify the current trends in tobacco use in the United States and the effects on society
• Discuss the history of tobacco use
• Describe the pharmacological effects of tobacco products
• Identify the health consequences associated with tobacco use
• Identify the risk factors associated with passive smoking
• Discuss the health hazards associated with smoking compared to smokeless tobacco
• Discuss the methods and aids used to quit smoking
• List and describe the economic and social issues associated with tobacco use

Lecture: Hallucinogens

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Describe the historical use of hallucinogens and how they relate to modern use
• Describe the common characteristics of hallucinogens (psychedelics)
• Distinguish between the types of hallucinogenic agents, how they were used, and the potential effects experienced
• Discuss the increased recreational use of LSD after years of decline
• Identify the potential hazards of LSD
• Explain and differentiate the psychedelic effects of mescaline and psilocybin and those of LSD
• Describe the increased use and appeal of Ecstasy
• Identify and discuss the numerous effects of PCP

Lecture: Marijuana

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Describe what marijuana is and its properties
• Explain the controversy surrounding marijuana
• Describe the effects of marijuana at both low and high doses
• Describe the physiological and behavioral effects of marijuana on the body (nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems)
• Describe the tolerance and dependence associated with marijuana use
• Identify the potential therapeutic uses of marijuana
• Identify the perceived threat and use of marijuana by different age groups

Lecture: Inhalants

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Describe the range of inhalants and when considered a drug
• Identify and describe the three categories (volatile substances, anesthetics, and volatile nitrates) of inhalants
• Explain why adolescents have become involved in the abuse of inhalants
• Describe the health hazards associated with using inhalants
• Describe how inhalants work in the body
• Describe the dangers associated with inhalant use

Lecture: Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• Describe the difference between a prescription and nonprescription drug
• Describe the “switching policy” established by the FDA and the reasons for these policies
• List and describe the information given on nonprescription (OTC) labels
• Explain why this information is considered crucial
• Describe herbal drugs and the concerns over their safety
• Identify and describe the rules for safely using prescription and nonprescription medications
• Describe the difference between generic and proprietary drugs
• Describe areas of potential abuse and misuse of prescription drugs

Lecture: Drug Use Within Major Subcultures

Outcomes

• Describe the key terms
• List and describe the drugs used by athletes
• Describe how steroids work and explain the appeal
• Identify the differences in drug use and abuse by men and women
• Describe those factors hindering treatment of substance abuse for women
• Describe the physiological responses women have to drugs
• List and describe those factors associated with drug use by adolescents and the consequences of use
• Describe those drugs most used by adolescents
• Describe the major reasons for the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol by college students
• Identify the drugs predominately used by college students and the consequences of their use
• Describe how drugs present a risk factor for the spread of HIV/AIDS

Lecture: Drug Prevention

Outcomes

• Define the key terms
• List and describe the three major types of prevention programs
• Describe the comprehensive prevention programs for drug use and abuse
• Describe the drug prevention strategies used in higher education and the effectiveness of these programs
• Identify and describe the goals of major prevention programs
• Describe the alternative approaches used in drug elimination