HLTH 460

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Substance Use Disorders and the Individual, Family, and Community

Public Health College of Life Sciences

Course Description

A public health approach to substance use disorders and mental health that emphasizes prevention science in addressing social determinants, risk and protective factors, bio-psycho-social effects, treatment, and the legal implications of drug use on the individual, family, and community. Students will learn new skills to assist them with future parenting and community involvement, and in preparation for public health career opportunities in the field of substance use disorder prevention and treatment.

When Taught

Fall, Winter, Spring

Min

3

Fixed/Max

3

Fixed

3

Fixed

0

Title

Epidemiology of Substance Use Disorders

Learning Outcome

Discuss the descriptive epidemiology of substance use disorders and the opioid crisis in the United States and the age-at-first use among at-risk individuals and communities.   

Title

Risk and Protective Factors and Social Determinants of Substance Use Disorders

Learning Outcome

Explain the underlying major social determinants, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), risk and protective factors for substance use disorders and mental health. Explain how marketing strategies of  tobacco, alcohol, and pharmaceutical industries influence substance use.

Title

Co-occurrence of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Learning Outcome

Discuss how mental health disorders that affect thinking, mood, and behavior may co-exist with substance use disorders. Discuss how a dual diagnosis magnifies the complexity of prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.

Title

Substance Use Disorders and their Physical and Psychological Effects

Learning Outcome

Identify the DSM 5 criteria for substance use disorders. Compare and contrast the various physical, psychological, and behavioral effects of the 10 classes of drugs that result in substance-related disorders.

Title

Individual, Family, and Community Impact.

Learning Outcome

Analyze how substance use disorders affect the individual, family, and community. Discuss how families can access preventive and treatment resources, support groups, and other community resources. 

Title

Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Programs and Environmental Controls

Learning Outcome

Explain the science behind evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies, programs, and interventions at the individual, family, and community levels, including transforming one's environment to help with recovery. Explain how different community agencies respond to social concerns caused by substance misuse. 

Title

Laws, Policies, and Regulations on Substance Use Disorders

Learning Outcome

Identify and describe, city, state, and federal laws and policies addressing substance use disorders. Explain the importance of policy development in assessing the adequacy and appropriateness of protocols relevant to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of substance use disorders.

Title

Apply Skills to Build Emotional Resilience, Hope, Understanding, and Compassion

Learning Outcome

Learn and apply personal and family skills that promote emotional resilience and the capacity to make healthy choices such as deeper listening skills, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, teaming, coalitions, genograms, ecomaps, and advocacy skills. Practice using words and descriptions that promote self-worth, hope, understanding, and compassion. List strategies to decrease stigma and shaming in ourselves and others.