Psychopharmacology and Addiction CPD Level 7

Overview

The accredited course provides health and social care practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of the theories of substance use disorders and addictive behaviours from biological, psychological, social, and political perspectives.  

This is a key first module for students and practitioners who might be new to this specialist area, however, at this level students will be required to have advanced critical and analytical skills.

Course requirements: Evidence of study at Level 6 (Degree Level).

Assessment method: Essay 80% and multiple choice questionnaire 20%

The course will focus on:

Social and Cultural Differences in Substance Use and Misuse

• Cultural and historical variations in substance use and social and political responses

• How the Internet and Novel Psychoactive Drugs (Legal Highs) have changed the nature of the drug market.

Drugs, Law and the Policies

• A national, European and global perspective of policies and legislation around drug misuse

• Offer and demand: national and international perspectives.

Classification of psychoactive substances and effects

• Types and physiology of psychoactive substances 

• Recognising the effects of psychoactive substances

• Clubs and recreational drug use: the spread of Ecstasy, novel psychoactive substances and the change of perception of class A drugs.

Theories and explanations for the use of psychoactive substances

• The concepts of substance use and misuse and differing theoretical perspectives

• Why do people use psychoactive substances?  

• Underlining factors underpinning substance use and misuse

• Social perceptions of substance use, diversity and identities.

Theories and explanations for substance use, problem use, addiction and dependence

• Theories of use and problem use, addiction and dependence

• Behavioural addiction, with particular emphasis on the debate around gaming and use of Internet

• Social, psychological models of dependence.

Trends and patterns

• Current patterns and trends of psychoactive substances in the UK Measures in mortality, morbidity, use and dependence

• The chemsex phenomenon.