Substance Misuse/Addictions   

Basic pharmacology and epidemiology of alcohol; cannabis: the stimulants (amphetamine, cocaine, phentermine, diethylpropion, pemoline, etc.); hallucinogens; solvents and nitrites; Ecstasy and related substances, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates; opiates.   Awareness of the arguments for and against the distinct types of prescribing and treatment modalities. Legal restrictions on prescribing.  

Cause, consequences, and recognition of heavy drinking: the concept of ‘problem drinking’; the components of the alcohol dependence syndrome; the nature of alcohol-related disabilities; detoxification procedures for in-patients and out-patients.    

Who uses which drugs and why; reasons for initiating and continuing drug use; how to recognize drug use; the concept of problem drug use; patterns of dependence on different drugs; detoxification procedures for inpatients and outpatients. An understanding of cultural factors in the use and abuse of drugs.  

Basics of the biological, psychological, and socio-cultural explanations of drug and alcohol dependence.  

The interaction of drug and alcohol use with psychiatric illness. Dual diagnosis and co-morbidity (classificatory systems).  Recognition of substance misuse-related medical, psychiatric, and social complications and their impact on Public Health.  

The assessment and management of drug and misusers, including symptoms and signs of substance use, and withdrawal phenomena.  

The assessment and management of alcohol misusers, including symptoms and signs of substance use, and withdrawal phenomena.  

Culturally appropriate strategies to prevent drug and alcohol abuse.   

The assessment and management of non-substance addictive behaviors and related syndromes.   

Motivational Interviewing.  Fundamental concepts and approaches; general approaches; adaptations of motivational interviewing.