PSY 230W - Psychology of Substance Abuse

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and classification of psychoactive drugs.
   1. Explain the course of development through time that drugs have taken.
   2. Explain the classification system of psychoactive drugs.
2. Assess the roles that heredity and environment play in psychoactive drugs.
   1. Describe how psychoactive drugs affect us physiologically.
   2. Describe the theories of addiction.
   3. Examine of the levels of drug use.
3. Assess the psychological and physiological effects of stimulants, opiates, opioids, sedatives-hypnotics, and alcohol.
   1. Identify the classification and effects of stimulants.
   2. Identify the classification and effects of opiates/opoids.
   3. Identify the classification and effects of sedatives-hypnotics.
   4. Identify the classification and effects of alcohol.
4. Assess the classification and effects of psychedelics, inhalants, therapeutic drugs, and miscellaneous drugs.
   1. Describe the classification and effects of the many kinds of hallucinogens.
   2. Describe the classification and effects of inhalants.
   3. Describe the therapeutic drugs and the many miscellaneous drugs.
5. Assess the different prevention methods.
   1. Discuss the concept of prevention.
   2. Identify and describe the different preventive methods.
   3. Discuss challenges to prevention.
6. Assess the broad range of treatment techniques used in substance abuse.
   1. Define detoxification; abstinence; recovery; individual, group and family therapy.
7. Use writing tasks to promote learning.
   1. Practice critical writing skills within the subject.
   2. Demonstrate knowledge of subject matter.