7/2/2025 5:51:16 AM	AODS 92 Course Outline as of Spring 2010	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  AODS 92	Title:  PHARM/PHYSIO EFF ALC/DRG
Full Title:  Pharmacological & Physiological Effects of Alcohol & Drugs
Last Reviewed:4/13/2020

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		17.5 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  HLE 97

Catalog Description:

This course reviews the medical and pharmacological aspects of alcohol and psychoactive substances. Students will also review theories and research pertaining to chemical dependency, pharmacological actions of drugs, drug classifications, medical and physical effects of alcohol and other drugs. The potential for abuse and dependency, and how psychoactive substances affect the mind and body will also be reviewed.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This course reviews the medical and pharmacological aspects of alcohol and psychoactive substances. Students will also review theories and research pertaining to chemical dependency, pharmacological actions of drugs, drug classifications, medical and physical effects of alcohol and other drugs. The potential for abuse and dependency, and how psychoactive substances affect the mind and body will also be reviewed.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Spring 1999	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1.  Identify the progressive stages of the disease of chemical dependency.

2.  Describe and list the most commonly abused drugs and their effects on the body.

3.  Recognize and analyze the basic metabolic and neurological processes involved

      in drug use.

4.  Describe the social effects of psychoactive substances on the user.    

5.  Describe the special service needs and staff precautions necessary when working with

      clients who may be HIV, hepatitis, STI or tuberculosis positive.

6.  Analyze in writing the risk and intervention issues associated with prenatal drug use.

Topics and Scope

I. Effects of psychoactive substance on the user

   A. Basic principles of pharmacology on the brain, body, and behavior

   B. Main body systems that are affected by abuse of prescription medications,

          alcohol and illegal drugs

         1.  Circulatory

         2.  Endocrine

         3.  Immune systems

         4.  Liver

         5.  Pancreas

         6.  Central and peripheral nervous systems

II. Review the basic metabolic and neurological processes

   A. Comprehensive outline of the most widely abused prescription drugs,

         alcohol and illegal drugs

   B. Differentiate between the different classes of drugs and their

         actions/reactions on clients

III. Review physical and psychological dependency, tolerance, and withdrawal

    A. Basic principles of drug actions and interactions

    B. Abusive use of prescription medications, alcohol and/or illegal drugs

IV. Issues associated with prenatal drug use

    A. The effects of drugs on the body systems during pregnancy

    B. Smoking during pregnancy

    C. Premature born and low birth weight

    D. Child abuse and neglect cases in the courts

V. Special services and staff needed when working with high risk clients who may be HIV, hepatitis,

     STI or tuberculosis positive

    A. Basic understanding of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

          Disorders(DSM-IVTR), American Psychiatric Association

    B. Policies and processes of reporting and documenting

    C. Communication both verbal and non-verbal when performing assessments

          and communicating with clients

    D. Drug testing

          1. Examples of test

          2. Advantages and disadvantages of testing

          3. The impact of false positive and false negative on the client

VI. Medical and pharmacological resources available in treatment

    A. Various medications and nutritional aids to assist the body in recovery

    B. Current literature regarding medical and pharmacological

    C. The role medical problems and complications play in the intervention

           and treatment of addiction

Assignments:

READING ASSIGNMENTS:

Students will be required to read at least 40 pages per week and other selected reading

from journals assigned by the instructor.  

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:

  1.  One to two 5-page critiques on any treatment modality. Give the pros and cons of

        each method with appropriate documentation.

   2.  One to two 3-page analyses of how a given drug will affect the fetus of a

        pregnant mother.

   3.  Written evaluation of a treatment program in Sonoma County, 3-5 pages.  

EXAMS:

Students will be given a midterm and final exam, and at least two additional short exams on material covered in class.

Mid-term and final will include essay questions.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 25 - 35%
Analysis/critiques, treatment program
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 65 - 75%
Multiple choice, essay exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 0%
None

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Uppers, Downers, All Arounders: Physical and Mental Effects of Psychoactive Drugs. Inaba, Darryl, Cohen, William E. and Holstein, Michael E. CNS Publications: 2004

 

Concepts of Chemical Dependency. Doweiko, Harold E.  Brooks/Cole: 2006

 

Handouts: Free materials of the National Institutes of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

 

Basic Pharmacology for Counselors and Psychotherapists. Sinacola, R.S. and Peters-Strickland, S.  Allyn and Bacon: 2006

 

Understanding Pharmacology, A Physiological Approach. Grajeda-Higley, Leilani. Prentice Hall: 2006

Print PDF