PSY 438 - Substance Abuse and Dependence

• Describe the incidence and prevalence substance abuse and dependence among diverse groups in the United States.
• Identify behavioral and affective symptoms associated with the use of stimulants, sedatives, hypnotics, inhalants, narcotics, hallucinogens, steroids, and psychotropic medicines.
• Explain and critique the major theories about the etiology of substance abuse and dependence
• Examine family, sociological, and cultural factors associated with substance abuse and dependence
• Analyze the potential strengths and limitations of different approaches to defining and assessing substance abuse and dependence as well as “codependency.”
• List and explain hypothesized effects of the chemically dependent family system on the behavior and emotional experience of individual family members. 
• Describe major concepts in the family systems view of substance abuse and dependence.
• Describe the relative advantages and disadvantages of providing chemical dependency treatment within the context of the family system. 
• Apply concepts of relapse prevention and harm reduction to their own experiences with health behavior change. 
• Compare and contrast current models of assessment, intervention and treatment for substance abuse and dependence 
• Analyze their own preconceived ideas or biases as well as their current beliefs about the assessment and treatment of substance dependence.