Drugs of Abuse

Drugs of Abuse. Pharmacology of Psychoactive Substances.

6 contact hours. ADACB-Ga. NAADAC

Course Description

Course Description
This course will begin with an overview of the study of pharmacology and the physiological systems impacted by substance use. It is important for counselors to understand the direct connection between psychoactive substance use, brain functioning, and dependence. Dependence on a substance is understood to be a brain disease characterized by an individual’s inability to control his/her thoughts of and intake of psychoactive substances. It develops after psychoactive substances are repetitively consumed and the brain readjusts to their constant presence. The amount of a specific psychoactive substance that an individual can consume before becoming dependent is highly individualized. This threshold is influenced by the individual’s brain chemistry, genetics, overall health, co-occurring mental health disorders, and environment. Understanding the course of addiction and the effects of psychoactive substances on the human body will allow providers to more effectively treat and work with their clients. (NAADAC, 2018).

Course Modality
This is an independent home-study course. Students will take the course according to their own timeline.

CE’s: 6 hours. (Reading course text / articles and Application to Practice). To receive the course completion certificate, each student is required to complete and submit Learning Contract, read all text-based materials, view any media posted, complete and submit chapter discussion questions, complete and pass course examination, and complete and submit course evaluation.

Text / Student Resources

Basics of Addiction Counseling Desk Reference Module I: Pharmacology of Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders. (2018). Alexandria, VA, NAADAC.

Senior Instructor

Merrill Norton, Pharm. D., D.Ph., CMAC

Dr. Merrill Norton is an EMMY winning Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus of the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy with his specialty areas to include psychopharmacology and addiction pharmacy. His book, Understanding the Pharmacology of Substance Use Disorders , has been used to train thousands of mental health professionals nationally and his latest book, and The Pharmacist’s Guide to Opioid Use Disorders were released in December 2018. Dr. Norton completed his undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. He accomplished a 3 year addiction medicine fellowship under the direction of Douglas Talbott MD at Ridgeview Institute and has state, national, and international credentials in the treatment of mentally ill/addicted/chronic pain individuals. He has also been a faculty member of the Fairleigh-Dickinson University Postdoctoral Training Program in the Masters of Psychopharmacology, Alliant International University of San Francisco College of Psychology, University of Georgia School of Continuing Education, and Berry College in the areas of Psychopharmacology and Addiction Pharmacy. His areas of specialty in addiction pharmacy are the management of chronic pain in the substance use disordered patient and the neuroscience of substance use disorders. Since his recent retirement from UGA , Dr. Norton’s primary focus is to provide the latest scientific information to communities, educators, healthcare professionals, prevention specialists, treatment providers, and especially families, on the disease of substance use disorders.

Course curriculum

1

Chapter 1.
- Welcome Video.
  FREE PREVIEW
- Learner Agreement
- How to Navigate this course
- Drugs of Abuse Course Syllabus
- Drugs of Abuse Pre-Test
2

Chapter 2. Drugs of Abuse.
- Alcohol.
- Alcohol Handout
- Anxiolytics and Sedatives.
- Anxiolytics and Sedatives. Handout.
- Marijuana and Other Cannabis Products
- Marijuana and Other Cannabis Products. Handout
- Opiates and Opioids
- Opiates and Opioids Handout
- Stimulants.
- Stimulants Handout
3

Additional Resource Materials
- The Science of Addiction
- Commonly Used Drugs. NIDA
- Commonly Abused Drugs NIDA
- History of the Opioid Epidemic
- Drugs, Brains and Behavior. The Science of Addiction
- Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorder
4

Chapter 3. Drugs of Abuse. Assignments.
- Instructional Video for Completing Assignments
- Drugs of Abuse. Assignment 1.
- Drugs of Abuse. Assignment 2.
- Drugs of Abuse. Assignment 3.
- Drugs of Abuse. Assignment 4.
5

Chapter 4. Course Completion
- Drugs of Abuse Post Test
- Course Evaluation
- Course Review