HLTH 460
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
Grade Rule
Grade Rule 8: A, B, C, D, E, I (Standard grade rule)
Min
3
Fixed
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.
