Course Syllabus
ADC514: Psychopharmacology of Addiction
Instructor & Contact Information
The People tab in Canvas provides information on the course instructor and you can send a message to your instructor following these instructions. Faculty are expected to: 1) grade and return assignments, with feedback, within 7 days from the date of submission; 2) reply to your Canvas messages within 72 hours; 3) reply several times each week in total in the discussion forums (not to each individual student); and 4) demonstrate the core values of City Vision University.
Course Description
This course provides an in-depth understanding of the effects of psychotropic substances on the brain and the treatment of addiction with medications. Students will learn about the pharmacological basis of addiction, the neurobiology of addiction, the pharmacokinetics of psychoactive drugs, and the use of medications in addiction treatment. The course will emphasize the the importance of having a balanced view toward psychoactive medications and medication assisted treatment centered around the needs of clients with a sensitivity to cultural and religious factors.
Course Outcomes
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Apply ethical standards in addiction counseling, ensuring legal and ethical considerations when working with clients prescribed psychoactive medications.
- Demonstrate the use of assessments for diagnostic and intervention planning, specifically for clients using antipsychotic and antidepressant medications.
- Evaluate the biological, neurological, and physiological effects of prescribed medications, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants, on addiction and co-occurring disorders.
- Analyze the potential for addiction and substance use disorders to mimic or co-occur with mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression, in clients using prescribed psychoactive medications.
- Understand the roles and settings of addiction counselors in managing clients with mental health conditions and prescribed psychoactive medications.
- Explain the pharmacological mechanisms and potential abuse risks of antipsychotic and antidepressant medications in addiction recovery.
- Develop individualized treatment plans that integrate prescribed medications and address the risks of addiction and relapse for clients with schizophrenia and depression.
- Critically assess the role of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and psychoactive medications in addiction recovery, considering ethical and organizational perspectives.
- Identify and apply principles to guide the appropriate use of prescribed medications and MAT, ensuring a nuanced approach to maximize client success.
- Evaluate the unique factors that need to be considered in counseling clients with schizophrenia, depression, and other mental health conditions in relation to their addiction recovery.
- Apply knowledge of assessment tools, such as the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS), to manage treatment for clients on psychoactive medications.
- Develop a Psychopharmacology and Addiction Training Manual for staff, integrating key concepts from this course to provide a comprehensive guide for managing clients with addiction and prescribed medications.
Degree Program Outcomes
Degree outcomes are the overall skills and knowledge we expect you will have after successfully completing a degree program at City Vision University. After completing the degree, you will be able to do the following in each of the listed domains.
Outcomes covered in this course are marked with an asterisk.
- Addiction Counseling. Develop plans and function in the eight practice domains of addiction counseling including: 1) Clinical Evaluation, 2) Treatment Planning, 3) Referral, 4) Case Management, 5) Counseling, 6) Client Education, 7) Documentation and 8) Ethics including transdisciplinary foundations.
- Christian Counseling. Integrate the theory and practice of addiction counseling into a Christian worldview to effectively serve and apply professional ethics in secular counseling and Christian counseling environments.
- Co-occuring Disorders. Provide counseling, treatment plans and referrals to those with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.
- * Addiction Psychopharmacology. Develop effective addiction treatment based on knowedge of a range of psychoactive drugs and be able to educate clients and provide referrals needed to provide comprehensive treatment.
- Family Counseling. Provide counseling to families affected by addiction and assist them in moving toward healthy family dynamics.
- Trauma & Crisis Counseling. Provide effective counseling to those experiencing crisis or having a history of trauma.
- Multicultural Counseling. Utilize effective methods to counsel diverse clients in both Christian and secular counseling environments
Concentration Outcomes
- Group Counseling. Facilitate group counseling sessions based on an understanding of group dynamics in addiction treatment.
- Counseling Theory. Synthesize counseling theories to develop treatment plans for those with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.
- Counseling Skills & Techniques. Apply counseling theories and techniques in addiction counseling including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and 12-step group facilitation.
- Clinical Evaluation. Conduct thorough assessments and diagnoses of substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
- Professional Ethics. Apply the ethical and professional principles, standards, and expectations that are integral to a professional counselor’s role and identity.
- Behavioral Addiction. Provide counseling to those dealing with behavioral addictions as well as conducting self-assessment to maintain balance avoiding and personally avoiding behavioral addictions.
- Culminating Experience. Demonstrate mastery either of the practice of addiction counseling through a practicum or comprehensive knowledge through preparation for an addiction counseling certification exam.
The concentration outcomes students will fulfill vary based on their concentration, except for the Culminating Experience.
Required Texts
Students are required to purchase these texts before the first day of classes.
- McKim, W. A. & Hancock, S. D. (2013) Drugs and Behavior: An Introduction to Behavioral Pharmacology. New York: Pearson. Clinton, D. T., & Scalise, D. E. (2013).
- The Quick-Reference Guide to Addictions and Recovery Counseling: 40 Topics, Spiritual Insights, and Easy-to-Use Action Steps. Baker Books.
- Descriptions and Prescriptions: A Biblical Perspective on Psychiatric Diagnoses and Medications (First edition). New Growth Press.
Outline & Course Alignment with CACREP Standards and SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies.
Week 1: Basic Pharmacology
CACREP Standards Addressed in this Lesson
- 2.F.1. Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice: a, b
- 3. Human Growth and Development: e, f
- 5. A.1. Addiction Counseling: Foundations: e
- 5.A.2. Addiction Counseling Contextual Dimensions: a, c, j
SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies Addressed in this Lesson
- A.I. Transdisciplinary: Understanding Addiction: 3
- A.II. Transdisciplinary: Treatment Knowledge: 8
Week 2: Drug Adaptation & Neurotransmitters
CACREP Standards Addressed in this Lesson
- 2.F.1. Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice: a, i
- 2.F.3. Human Growth and Development: c, e
- 5.A.1. Addiction Counseling: Foundations: e
- 5.A.2. Addiction Counseling: Contextual Dimensions: a, c
SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies Addressed in this Lesson
- A.I. Transdisciplinary: Understanding Addiction: 3
- A.II. Transdisciplinary: Treatment Knowledge: 8
- B.I. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Screening, Assessment, and Engagement: 25
- B.II. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Treatment Planning: 34
- B.IV. Service Coordination: Collaboration: 46
Week 3: Understanding and Diagnosing Substance Use and Addictive Disorders
CACREP Standards Addressed in this Lesson
- 2.F.1. Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice: i, j
- 2.F.7. Assessment and Testing: b, e, g
- 5.A.1. Addiction Counseling: Foundations: b, e
- 5.A.2. Addiction Counseling: Contextual Dimensions: c, g
SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies Addressed in this Lesson
- A.I. Transdisciplinary: Understanding Addiction: 3
- A.II. Transdisciplinary: Treatment Knowledge: 8
- B.I. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Screening, Assessment, and Engagement: 24, 25
- B.II. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Treatment Planning: 34
- B.V. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities: 74
Week 4: Alcohol and Anxiety
CACREP Standards Addressed in this Lesson
- 2.F.1. Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice: i, j
- 2.F.7. Assessment and Testing: e, g
- 5.A.1. Addiction Counseling: Foundations: e
- 5.A.2. Addiction Counseling: Contextual Dimensions: a, g
SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies Addressed in this Lesson
- A.I. Transdisciplinary: Understanding Addiction: 3
- A.II. Transdisciplinary: Treatment Knowledge: 8
- B.I. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Screening, Assessment, and Engagement: 25
- B.II. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Treatment Planning: 34
- B.V. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities: 74
Week 5: Stimulants
CACREP Standards Addressed in this Lesson
- 2.F.1. Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice: i
- 2.F.7. Assessment and Testing: e, g
- 5.A.1. Addiction Counseling: Foundations: e
- 5.A.2. Addiction Counseling: Contextual Dimensions: a, g
SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies Addressed in this Lesson
- A.I. Transdisciplinary: Understanding Addiction: 3
- A.II. Transdisciplinary: Treatment Knowledge: 8
- B.I. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Screening, Assessment, and Engagement: 25
- B.II. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Treatment Planning: 34
- B.V. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities: 74
Week 6: Opioids
CACREP Standards Addressed in this Lesson
- 2.F.1. Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice: i
- 2.F.7. Assessment and Testing: e, g
- 5.A.1. Addiction Counseling: Foundations: e
- 5.A.2. Addiction Counseling: Contextual Dimensions: a, g
SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies Addressed in this Lesson
- A.I. Transdisciplinary: Understanding Addiction: 3
- A.II. Transdisciplinary: Treatment Knowledge: 8
- B.I. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Screening, Assessment, and Engagement: 25
- B.II. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Treatment Planning: 34
- B.V. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities: 74
Week 7: Cannabis, Hallucinogens, Psychedelics, and Club Drugs
- 2.F.1. Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice: i
- 2.F.7. Assessment and Testing: e, g
- 5.A.1. Addiction Counseling: Foundations: e
- 5.A.2. Addiction Counseling: Contextual Dimensions: a, g
SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies Addressed in this Lesson
- A.I. Transdisciplinary: Understanding Addiction: 3
- A.II. Transdisciplinary: Treatment Knowledge: 8
- B.I. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Screening, Assessment, and Engagement: 25
- B.II. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Treatment Planning: 34
- B.V. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities: 74
Week 8: Mental Health, Prescription Medication and MAT
CACREP Standards Addressed in this Lesson
- 2.F.1. Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice: i
- 2.F.7. Assessment and Testing: e, g
- 5.A.1. Addiction Counseling: Foundations: e
- 5.A.2. Addiction Counseling: Contextual Dimensions: a, g
SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies Addressed in this Lesson
- A.I. Transdisciplinary: Understanding Addiction: 3
- A.II. Transdisciplinary: Treatment Knowledge: 8
- B.I. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Screening, Assessment, and Engagement: 25
- B.II. Foundation for Addiction Counseling: Treatment Planning: 34
- B.V. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities: 74
Guidelines for Written Work
All written work must follow our Writing Format and Forum Requirements. You must read these to understand how to cite sources appropriately.
Critical Policies to Read for This Course
Note: These policies are critical for all students to read. In case of change, we have linked to the versions on our website to make sure you have the latest version.
Additional Policies:
This syllabus is subject to change without notice up until the first day of the semester. Last updated: October 19, 2024
Course Summary:
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