Lesson Structure:   Psychopharmacology (Drugs & Psychology) BPS302

There are 11 lessons:

1  Introduction

• Scope and nature of drugs; legal and illegal
• Amphetamine
• Cocaine
• Crack
• LSD
• Ritalin
• Steroids
• How heroin is used
• Medical consequences of chronic heroin abuse
• Names used for heroin

2  Effects of drugs on the individual and society

• Community acceptance
• Terminology
• Why people use drugs
• Addiction; how drugs work in the brain
• Central nervous system
• Physiological and psychological effects of drugs
• Alcohol effects
• Sedative effects
• Stimulant effects
• Hallucinogenics
• Psychological effects of drugs

3  Legally restricted drugs: Stimulants and narcotics

• Stimulants
• Symptoms of abuse
• How cocaine is abused
• How does cocaine effect the brain
• What adverse effects does cocaine have on health
• Added danger; cocaethylene
• Treatment options
• Scope of cocaine abuse
• Narcotics
• Abuse symptoms
• Forms and dangers
• Designer drugs
• Ecstacy pill

4  Legally restricted drugs: Hallucinogens and marijuana

• Effects of hallucinogens
• Symptoms of abuse
• LSD
• Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder
• Marijuana
• Effects of marijuana on the brain
• Symptoms of abuse, forms of marijuana and dangers
• Phencylidine (PCP)
• Symptoms of abuse, forms of PCP and dangers

5  Legally restricted drugs: Steroids

• Steroids
• Symptoms of abuse, forms of steroids and dangers

6  Legal drugs: Alcohol

• Symptoms of abuse and dangers with alcohol
• Alcoholism
• Staying in control with alcohol
• Alcohol amnestic syndrome (Korsakoff’s syndrome)
• Treating korsakoff’s syndrome)
• Alcohol and the developing brain

7  Legal drugs: Tobacco, caffeine and solvents

• Nicotine addiction
• Effects of nicotine on the circulatory system
• Caffeine
• Caffeine addiction
• Solvents (volitile solvent abuse): symptoms and dangers

8  Prescription and over-the-counter drugs

• Prescription drugs (Over the counter or OTC)
• Groups of prescription drugs
• Misuse of OTC drugs
• Opioids
• Treatments for opioid addiction
• CNS depressants
• Stimulants
• Stimulant abuse and treatment for stimulant addiction

9  Sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs

• Anti anxiety drugs
• Barbituates
• Benzodiazepines
• Depressants
• Rohypnol

10 Prescription drugs for schizophrenia and effective disorders

• Schizophrenia
• Onset of schizophrenia
• Symptoms of schizophrenia
• Treatment for schizophrenia
• Anti psychotic drugs
• Patient support system
• Depression
• Depressive disorders
• Type of depression
• Unipolar disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Causes of depression
• Anti depressants

11 Treatment and preventative education

• Drug addiction, behavioural and psycho social treatments for drug addiction
• Treatments for heroin addiction
• Behavioural therapies for heroin addiction
• Detoxification

Each lesson requires the completion of an assignment which is submitted to the academyl, marked by the academy’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Learning Goals:Psychopharmacology (Drugs & Psychology) BPS302

• To understand the origins and changes in drug use in society;
• To identify patterns of drug-taking behaviour;
• To identify social, psychological and physical consequences of drug-taking on the individual;
• To understand the effects of stimulants and narcotics on the individual;
• To understand the effects of hallucinogens and marijuana on the individual;
• To understand the effects of anabolic steroids on the individual;
• To determine health and behavioural outcomes of alcohol use and mis-use;
• To determine health and behavioural outcomes of nicotine, caffeine and solvent use and misuse;
• To understand the effects of the major categories of OTC drugs and prescription regulations;
• To understand the effects of sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs on the brain and behaviour;
• To understand the effects of different types of anti-psychotic and anti-depressant drugs on the brain and behaviour;
• To 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.

Practicals:

• Explain through case studies the difference between drug abuse and drug misuse;
• Explain through examples the difference between recreational and instrumental drug-taking;
• Describe major changes in drug taking behaviour from the nineteenth century to the twentieth century;
• Investigate why some people are more likely than others to engage in drug abuse behaviour;
• Contrast the difference of attitudes to drug taking between cultures;
• Differentiate between drug tolerance and behavioural tolerance;
• Differentiate between physical and psychological drug dependence;
• Describe factors contributing to physiological effects of a drug on the body;
• Learn how psychoactive drugs affect neurotransmitters;
• Consider how personal expectations influence the effects of drug taking;
• Learn how cocaine affects the mind and body;
• List side effects of long and short-term amphetamine use;
• Explain how to treat cocaine and amphetamine users;
• Explain how heroin affects the mind and body;
• Describe how narcotics been used successfully in medicine;
• Describe how opiates affect the brain;
• Discuss the effectiveness of the main approaches to treating heroin abuse;
• Discuss the negative effects regular marijuana use has on quality of life;
• Discuss the use of steroids in sport and drug control of athletes;
• Identify health behavioural, and lifestyle outcomes of alcohol use and misuse;
• Develop a case study of a person being treated with anti-anxiety drugs;
• Consider how anti-psychotic drugs work in the brain;
• Identify the main three types of anti-depressants;
• Identify drugs used to alleviate panic attacks and bipolar disorder;
• Consider dilemmas faced when trying to test out new drugs for schizophrenia;
• Discuss the ‘bio-psychosocial’ approach to treatment of drug abuse;
• Describe the stage theory of treatment and recovery.

Your learning experience with ADL will not only depend on the quality of the course, but also the quality of the person teaching it. This course is taught by Iona Lister and your course fee includes unlimited tutorial support throughout. Here are Iona’s credentials:

Iona Lister
Licentiate, Speech and Language Therapy, UK, Diploma in Advanced Counselling Skills.

Iona has been a clinician and manager of health services for fifteen years, and a trainer for UK-based medical charities, focusing on psychosocial issues, mental health disorders, and also the promotion of communication skills for people in helping roles. She tutors and facilitates groups via workshops and teleconferences, and now specialises in Sight Loss. As a freelance writer, she contributes regular feature articles for magazines, has written five published books, as well as published courses relating to personal development and counselling skills.

Iona has also written published books, courses and articles across a wide range of subjects, mostly in the areas of health, counselling, psychology, crafts and wildlife.

She has drawn experience from clinical and managerial experience within the NHS as well as medical and humanitarian subjects. She has been a regular feature writer and expert panel member of a national magazine for six years.

Books include: A Guide to Living with Alzheimer’s Disease (and associated dementias), The Psychology of Facial Disfigurement; a Guide for Health and Social Care Professionals, When a Medical Skin Condition Affects the Way you Look; A Guide to Managing Your Future, Facing Disfigurement with Confidence, Cross Stitch: A Guide to Creativity and Success for Beginners.
Courses written include: Mental Health and Social Work, Counselling Skills, Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse, Journalling for Personal Development, Guided Imagery, Stress Management.

Current work includes: Tutor: Courses associated with Creative Writing, Counselling Skills, Psychology, Holistic Therapy, Certified Hypnotherapist and Hypnotension Practitioner.

Facilitator of Teleconference Groups: Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)

Trainer (Skills for Seeing): Macular Society

Reviewer of Books/Information: Macmillan Cancer Support

Fundraiser: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Embroidery/Art Groups Facilitator, Board Member

Website Manager: The Strathcarron Project, Coordinator (Delaware & Tennessee) Human Writes

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Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

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A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

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A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

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A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

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A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

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A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

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Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

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Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.