This class addresses drug use, misuse and abuse. It focuses on the biological, personal and social consequences of substance abuse, emphasizing the neuroscience behind substance abuse and the multidimensional processes of addiction and recovery. A presentation and an exit exam are required.
Understand how drugs affect the human mind and body.
Become familiar with the various types of legal and illegal drugs.
Resolve personal biases and prejudices that interfere with personal growth
Apply current addiction theory to understand drug abuse and gain a personal perspective on drug use, misuse and abuse in current American society.
Understand that only the addict can choose to get well or not, despite your best efforts to help.
Realize that there is hope for the addict who wants to participate in their own treatment.
Profile overall drug use in the United States, including frequency, financial impact, arrests for drug offenses and impact on the work place. Discuss patterns of illicit drug use, including who uses illicit drugs and why.
Identify and explain the current theory that explains how drugs work in the body, showing how specific areas of the brain regulate particular functions and how certain drugs interfere with neurotransmission. (Lesson 3)
Discuss proper drug use, how dangerous drug interactions can occur and that drug effects depend on dosage and route of administration and how misuse and abuse of drugs can lead to dependence and addiction.
Explain how drugs of abuse affect activate the reward system in the brain and discuss alternative behaviors that trigger the same reward circuits. (Lesson 1)
Describe how long-term physical and functional changes in the brain are associated with drug abuse and addiction. (Lesson 4)
Identify the signs of addiction and discuss how addiction is influenced by the social and behavioral context of drug use. (Lesson 4)
Discuss the cycle of addiction and how it impacts the individual and affects family and friends.
Describe how addiction is a chronic brain disease that is likely to recur and explain how treatment for addiction is similar to that for other chronic diseases (Lesson 5)
Describe the use and abuse of controlled substances, including cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana, opiates, psychedelics, designer drugs and inhalants.
Explain why treatment may be most effective when it combines pharmacological and behavioral treatments and discuss why treatment is more effective if addicts choose to participate actively in their treatment. (Lesson 5)
Access resources for help and discuss ways to support a friend who is battling a substance abuse problem, showing a working knowledge of current addiction theory, including acceptance of personal limitations.
Drug use/perceptions among teens; living in a drug society [2-2½ hours]
Learning journal with a substantial entry for each numbered assignment. The journal entries should connect the learning goals for each assignment with personal experience and goals. Each entry must be 300 words minimum without repeating yourself or padding. May be maintained in a blog or in a spiral notebook.
Film (Clean and Sober) [2 hours]
A film appropriate to the dynamics of specific classes will be shown realistically depicting the personal and social consequences of substance abuse and addiction and the recovery process.
