ADCO 1030 - Pharmacology of Addiction Counseling

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture None
Course Description: This course is an overview of the basics of pharmacology as applied to various classifications of mood-altering chemicals. It is also an examination of the central nervous system and drug/neurotransmitter interactions. The course examines substance-related disorders, detoxification, withdrawal, drug interaction, and dynamics of addiction. The course meets academic coursework criteria of Minnesota Statute 2005 Chapter 148c, Subdivision 5a, Area 2: “pharmacology of substance abuse disorders and the dynamics of addiction.”
MnTC Goals
None

Prerequisite(s): ADCO 1020  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content
1. How pharmacological drugs affect us

1. The brain
2. The nervous system
3. Physiological response to drugs

2. Basic pharmacology

1. What is a drug
2. Names of drugs
3. Describing dosages
4. Drug interaction
5. Excretion, absorption, and metabolism

3. Tolerance, withdrawal

1. Tolerance
2. Mechanism of tolerance
3. Withdrawal symptoms and physical dependence

4. Addiction process

1. Neurophysiology, neurotransmitters and the nervous system
2. The neuron
3. The synapse
4. Neurotransmitters
5. The nervous system

5. Brain imaging of drug effects

6. Symptoms, how used, dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, drug interaction of:

1. Cocaine
2. Amphetamines
3. Opioid /narcotics
4. Benzodiazepine
5. Barbiturates
6. Hallucinogens
7. Cannabis
8. Psychotropic medication
9. Alcohol

1. Identify the effects of alcohol and drugs on different parts of the brain.
2. Explain addiction as related to the basics of pharmacology.
3. Describe the neurotransmitters that are affected by alcohol and drugs.
4. Recognize common drug interaction signs and withdrawal symptoms.
5. Describe the metabolism and excretion processes of alcohol and drugs.
6. Articulate how specific behavioral and physical signs and symptoms manifest themselves in the addiction process.
7. Analyze the ethics of taking and using any drugs (methadone, Ritalin, over-the-counter drugs, etc.) as a challenge to one’s sobriety.
8. Explain how various drugs interact when combined either legally or illegally.

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