Obtain insight and comprehension about drug and alcohol abuse and its affect on our behaviour. This course is highly recommended for drug and alcohol counsellors in combination with Conflict Management.

Course Aims:

• Understand the origins and changes in drug use in society;
• Identify patterns of drug-taking behaviour;
• Identify social, psychological and physical consequences of drug-taking on the individual;
• Understand the effects of stimulants and narcotics on the individual;
• Understand the effects of hallucinogens and marijuana on the individual;
• Understand the effects of anabolic steroids on the individual;
• Determine health and behavioural outcomes of alcohol use and mis-use;
• Determine health and behavioural outcomes of nicotine, caffeine and solvent use and misuse;
• Understand the effects of the major categories of OTC drugs and prescription regulations;
• Understand the effects of sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs on the brain and behaviour;
• Understand the effects of different types of anti-psychotic and anti-depressant drugs on the brain and behaviour;
• Describe different methods of treatment and prevention of drug-abuse and to discuss ways of educating the public as to the outcomes of taking drugs.

There are 11 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
2. Effects of drugs on the individual and society
3. Legally restricted drugs: Stimulants and narcotics
4. Legally restricted drugs: Hallucinogens and Marijuana
5. Legally restricted drugs: Steroids
6. Legal drugs: Alcohol
7. Legal drugs: Tobacco, caffeine and solvents
8. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs
9. Sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs
10. Prescription drugs for schizophrenia and affective disorders
11. Treatment and preventative education