Drugs and Behavior (PSYC 270C)

Course Description:  The course will provide an overview of psychoactive drugs and their effects on the nervous system and on behavior.  Emphasis will be on the physiological and behavioral effects of drugs of abuse (such as alcohol, cocaine, and hallucinogens) and psychotherapeutic drugs (such as antidepressants and antipsychotics).  Theories of drug abuse and issues regarding prevention/treatment of drug abuse will also be discussed.  Prerequisite: PSYC 100C.  Students with prior credit for either PSYC 390 (Topics: Drugs & Behavior) or PSYC 407 (Drugs & Behavior) may NOT take this course.

Course Objectives:  Students will become familiar with basic principles of drug action, with specific effects and mechanisms of action of a variety of psychoactive drugs, and with general theories and methodologies related to causes and treatments of substance abuse and dependence.  Specifically, students will be able to:

• Critically evaluate important historical and current societal perspectives pertaining to psychoactive drugs and behavior

• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of drug action including drug-receptor interactions, dose-response relationships, and drug interactions

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic pharmacokinetics, including routes of drug administration and drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

• Explain general mechanisms by which psychoactive drugs alter behavior and/or mental processes via effects on neural conduction and synaptic transmission, chemical messengers (i.e., neurotransmitters, hormones, and neuromodulators), and brain structures.

• Explain major theories of drug tolerance, dependence, and abuse and discuss their strengths and limitations.

• Identify and describe the specific recreational and/or therapeutic effects, side effects, and mechanisms of action of the major classes of psychoactive drugs

• Explain various prevention and treatment strategies for substance abuse and dependence and discuss their strengths and limitations.

Interesting Links Related to Drugs and Psychopharmacology:

• APA Division of Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse

• Columbia University Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse

• Drugnet - The Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Prevention Global Network

• The Drugs and Individual Behavior Page (great list of internet resources!)

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

• PREVLINE - The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information

• Psychopharmacology Resources from Psychwatch.com

• RxList - The Internet Drug Index (excellent index of prescription drugs!)