Course Syllabus
CPD 116 Substance Abuse: Fundamental Facts and Insights
(3 Credits) (8/10 rev)
This course is an introduction to issues relating to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in our society. Students will gain knowledge of the physical and health effects of various drugs of abuse. Sociological, cultural issues will be addressed in addition to prevention and educational strategies.There are no prerequisites.*
*Special Note: This course is a core requirement for both the degree and certificate programs in Human Services and for the social work program. This course is also required for the Human Services Certificate of Achievement in Substance Abuse Counselor Training. When using this course for continuing education
Instructors
Mary Ray, PhD and Catherine McAdoo
Human Services Program Coordinator/Instructor
Great Basin College
Elko Campus
1500 College Parkway
Elko, NV 89801
Phone: 775-753-2005
Fax: 775-753-2160
Office: MH 135
Administrative Support: Dianna Byers, (775) 753-2301
Office Hours
Hours by appointment. Please contact instructor by email or phone.
Online Students:
Contact the instructor about course content or concerns by using the email from within the course. Call the instructor’s office if you have lengthy questions or complex issues.
Required Textbooks/Materials
Text: Drugs and Society, 10th edition, by Hanson, G.R., Venturelli, P.J. and Fleckenstein, A.E. (Jones and Bartlett, Publisher, ISBN-13: 978-0-7637-5642-0)
Workbook: Student Study Guide to Accompany Drugsand Society, 10th edition, same authors, same publisher (ISBN-13: 978-0-7637-5932-2)
Reliable, regular internet connection and use of a current word-processing program. Internet review of the following widely-recognized self-help organizations is also required:
o“Alcoholics Anonymous” (
o“Rational Recovery” (
o“Overeaters Anonymous” (
o“Narcotics Anonymous” (
o“Al-Anon” (
Course Description
This course contains a variety of didactic, introspective, reflective, and interactive approaches to the complex issues involving substance abuse in modern society. The physical, psychological, social and interpersonal aspects of human functioning in terms of the use/abuse of mind/mood altering substances will be addressed. Students will be required to contact a community service agency, or organization which offers substance abuse/addiction intervention, prevention and/or education.
Course Goals
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to indicate understanding of the following items:
I.Identify major drugs of abuse, including alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs.
II.Demonstrate understanding of adverse physical and psychological effects of drug abuse.
III.Apply the principles of the cycle of addiction, dependency, and the interpersonal/social issues of codependency/co-addiction to the use/abuse of mood altering substances.
IV.Discuss laws and identify government agencies responsible for regulating the use/abuse of legal and illegal substances.
V.Identify major therapeutic interventions for treatment of substance abuse.
VI.Develop an educational plan to prevent one aspect of alcohol and/or drug abuse.
Expected Learner Outcomes and Methods of Measurement
1.Define physical and psychological addiction, drug abuse, and dependency.
Measurement: Workbook assignments, discussions, presentations, exam.
2.Examine the components of the addiction cycle.
Measurement: Workbook assignments, discussions, presentations, exam.
3.Identify the signs and symptoms of alcoholism.
Measurement: Workbook assignments, presentations, research essay, exam.
4.Recognize the signs and symptoms of illegal and prescription drug abuse.
Measurement: Workbook assignments, discussions, exam.
5.Apply the concepts of psychosocial illness to chronic substance abuse.
Measurement: Workbook assignments, research essay, discussions, exam.
6.Describe intervention options and techniques.
Measurement: Workbook assignments, discussions, research essay, exam.
7.Integrate interpersonal and social issues of co-dependency/co-addiction.
Measurement: Workbook assignments, presentations, class discussions.
8.Identify diagnostic, counseling and treatment modalities.
Measurement: Workbook assignments, discussions, research essay, exam.
9.Plan and present substance abuse prevention/education materials.
Measurement: Workbook assignments, discussions, presentations, exam.
Methods of Instruction
There are 15 weeks of required participation in this course plus the final exam. Each week’s topics are grouped by subjects or related subject matter. The following learning methods are employed in the course:
- Reading assignments
- Workbook assignments
- Written responses and research assignments
- Class presentations
- Class discussions
- Email communications
- Final examination
- Course evaluation
Explanation of Grading Policy
The following grade point scale will be used:
A ≥ 93 B- 80-82 D+ 67-69
A- 90-92 C+ 77-79 D 63-66
B+ 87-89 C 73-76 D- 60-62
B 83-86 C- 70-72 F <60
Late Work Policy
It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the process of making up missed coursework/assignments, and/or obtaining missed instructional content. Incompletes may be requested and granted per GBC policy. Students are expected to participate and to complete all assignments on time. In order for late work to be considered for a grade, students must notify the instructor by course email EACH AND EVERY TIME that a late assignment or late discussion post is submitted. Late submissions made without instructor notification will NOT be graded. No submission or discussion will be graded after the posted deadline for late/make-up work. No work of any kind will be accepted for a grade after the final exam has been submitted.
To be fair to students who turn work in on time, unexcused late work will receive an immediate 10% deduction, and additional deductions will be made in increasing amounts thereafter. Contact the instructor PRIOR to a due date to request an excused late submission. Generally, technical problems and/or difficulty with obtaining the textbook will not be considered for excused late work; allow yourself ample time to complete assignments in order to meet deadlines.
Note:A student who logs into the course, and then fails to participate, ceases to participate, and/or does not officially withdraw from the class, will receive a grade at the end of the course that reflects the total of actual points earned, even if that number is a zero.
It is recommended that all assignments be completed, no matter how late due to the educational value of course work. Late work is accepted until the final exam due date/time. Extra credit may be offered at the instructor’s discretion, but ALL assignments must have been completed and submitted on time prior to requesting an extra credit assignment. Suspected violations of GBC academic honesty policy will be reported.
Attendance Policy
Per this statement in the GBC catalog, “You must participate in classes regularly if you intend to obtain the full benefits of instruction.” If you have difficulty participating due to technical problems (which cannot be resolved by calling the Help Desk at 775-753-2167), or due to significant illness/personal emergency, notify the instructor to make arrangements for making up missed class work/assignments to avoid deductions in grade scores due to late/missed work.
Course Guidelines and Policies
1. Due to the sensitive nature of some of the subject matter in the course, students are expected to present thoughtful reviews of the material, and to offer respectful, appropriate, scholarly commentary.
2. Students are to maintain the confidentiality of others, including classmates, and/or guest presenters, as applicable. During this course, students are expected to demonstrate respectful, ethical behaviors, as outlined in the GBC Catalog, when participating in GBC activities with peers, instructors and/or speakers in any class meeting, interactive video session, and/or online discussion. Emails and threads should contain the name of the sender and addressee, be written with correct grammar, punctuation, capitalization, usage and style. Please use the spell check feature, and avoid slang or contractions. Points are deducted for errors in writing/composition in designed assignments.
3. This is an interactive class in which your input is needed to enhance learning—for yourself and for the others in the class. Timely and regular participation in the discussions is required.
4. Written work should be typed in 12-point, Times New Roman font. Research work must meet APA style/format requirements (including an abstract), must be logically organized, contain a fully developed narrative, include cover and reference pages, and be based on accurate information from research and evidence-based material. Documentation per the American Psychological Association (2001) Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th. ed.). Washington, DC: APA is required. You may access APA at the following site: Academic Success Center staff and/or the GBC librarians can help you with APA style/format. The “OWL at Purdue” website also contains examples of APA style writing and format. The instructor(s) will not provide feedback about style/composition errors, nor offer opportunities for rewriting papers to correct formatting. Points will be deducted for work which fails to comply with these requirements.
Exception: When using the current edition of the textbook as a source for completing the workbook and the discussion assignments, you may use only page numbers from the textbook—a full, APA style reference is not required. This does not apply to the research essay, however.
5. If you are having technical difficulties, first call the GBC technology help desk number (775-753-2167) for technical assistance immediately, not the instructor. If you are unable to resolve the problem, then notify the instructor.
6. To avoid late penalties, the instructor must be contacted prior to any due date when seeking to arrange alternative arrangements for submitting late assignments, make-up work, and/or for requesting an incomplete for the course. Late points are permanent, but will not accrue after the student and instructor agree that a student will receive an incomplete for the course.
7.Students may not use the e-mail addresses of other students, faculty, or staff for purposes unrelated to this class. Violations may lead to disciplinary action.
8. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (Julie Byrnes) will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services. For more information or further assistance, please call 775.753.2271.
IMPORTANT NOTE: College level writing is required for all written assignments, discussion posts and email. Points will be deducted for errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and for failure to use APA style/formatting or supporting documentation where required. Concepts taken from the current edition of our textbook must be indicated by the use of page numbers. Information derived from other sources must be fully documented. Work must be in your own words, and the use of complete sentences is required. You are not to copy answers from the book, the glossary, or the index without using quotation marks/page numbers. The instructor uses an originality check computer program to check for authenticity of assignments. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Point losses up to and including a zero score will be issued for failure to comply with academic and ethical standards.
Course Outline/Schedule/Assignments
__Pretest: Please write a description of the following terms in your own words, in complete sentence without using books, notes, or any other resources. Upload it under the “Pretest” section of the course. Do not email this, or any assignment, to the instructor. The pretest is not graded, but the topics can be used as a guide for identifying material to study/learn during the course, and for the final examination. If a pretest has not been submitted by the due date during the first week of class, a 10% reduction in the final exam score will result.*
1.Addiction
2.Dependency
3.Withdrawal
4.Tolerance
5.NA and CA (of Alcoholics Anonymous)
6.Cross-addiction
7.Co-dependency
8.Rational Recovery (RR—the organization)
9.Delirium Tremens (DT’s)
10.Stimulants
11.Narcotics
12.Hallucinogens
13.Designer drugs
14.Inhalants
15.The 12-Steps (not the program, but the meaning/process of the steps)
16.Homeostasis
17.Relapse
18.Prevention
19.Intervention
*Specific due dates are listed in the course announcements.
Week 1
Topics: Welcome to Class! Class introductions.Overview of the course, and course requirements.
Assignments (Please complete by the end of Week 1):
___Complete the pretest (above) in the assignment area. Save your work in a file, and upload it into the course. DO NOT EMAIL the pretest or any other assignment to the instructor without prior permission.
___Print out a copy of the syllabus and read the entire syllabus. (Click on menu/left on the main course page.)
___Make a calendar for yourself with due dates for all of the assignments.
___Read the introduction to the text and the introduction to the workbook.
___Note instructor’s posts on the course announcements page. Check for new announcements and new email whenever you enter the course.
___Introduce yourself to the instructor and to your classmates in the “Introduction” discussion. Tell us about yourself, why you are choosing to take this course at this time, and about your learning/career goals. Include your thoughts about addiction, addictive behaviors that you may have noticed in yourself or other people. The introductions will not be graded, but what you learn from each other can be very useful, not only for completing the course discussions, but also for applying the course material. Remember that confidentiality guidelines are an integral part of this course. However, you are not required to reveal personal information about which you are uncomfortable discussing with the class. This is an opportunity to share information and insight about substance abuse and addictive behavior. Student may continue to use the “Introduction” discussion area for informal chat or for forming study groups.
Week 2
Topics: Addiction/Addiction Cycle—Definitions and Diagnosis
Assignments:
___Read textbook, Chapter 1. Read instructor and student posts.
___Participate in Discussion #1 about one major topic from Chapter 1. Try not to duplicate the “major” post of another student. In your “major” post, include thoughts/insights/information about the concepts related to the definitions and applications of the addiction process and the addiction cycle in your posts in the threaded discussion area. Major posts must contain documentation within the body of your post by including page numbers from the readings in text (required). In addition to your “major” post, respond to at least two students’ posts by advancing the discussion topics. A minimum of three entries/discussion contributions are required for EACH unit. (See assignment description for more discussion requirements. Contact the instructor with questions.)
___Do workbook assignment #1: Upload your responses to first 20 questions from the workbook beginning on page 1 in the assignments area. Count only the questions numbered in bold type. (For example, for the first workbook assignment, the first 20 questions would be to answer questions 1-7 in the “Key Terms” and the 8 questions in the “Fill in the Blank” section, and also the first 5 questions in the “Identify” section, for a total of 20 questions in all. Include page numbers from the text as supporting documentation for each response. Remember that all responses must be restated in your own words, and in complete sentences, including matching and fill-in-the-blank type responses. Call or email the instructor with questions.)
Week 3
Topics: Abuse and Misuse/Drugs and the Law
Assignments:
___Read Chapters 2 and 3
___Participate in Discussion #2 about one major content area from Chapter 2 and one major topic from Chapter 3
___Do workbook assignment #2: Submit answers to the first 11 workbook questions, beginning on page 17, and the first 9 questions, beginning on page 33.
Week 4
Topics: Neurochemistry/Body Systems and the Physical Effects of Drugs
Assignments:
___Read Chapters 4 and 5
___ Do workbook assignment #3: Submit answers to the first 10 workbook questions beginning on pg. 47, and the first 10 questions, beginning on pg. 61.
__Participate in Discussion #3 about Chapters 4 and 5
Week 5
Topics: Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants
Assignments:
___Read Chapter 6
___Do workbook assignment #4: Submit the first 20 workbook questions, beginning pg. 75, ending on pg 77.
___Participate in Discussion #4 about Chapter 6
Week 6
Topics: Alcohol: Bio-psychosocial, Cultural and Spiritual Effects
Assignments:
___Read Chapters 7 and 8
___Do workbook assignment #5: Submit first 9 workbook questions, beginning on pg. 85, and the first 11 questions, beginning on pg. 100.
__Participate in Discussion #5 about Chapters 7 and 8
Week 7
Topics: Narcotics and Stimulants
Assignments:
___Read Chapters 9 and 10
___ Do workbook assignment #6: Submit the first 10 workbook questions beginning on pg. 116, and the first 10 questions beginning on pg. 127.
___Participate in Discussion #6 about Chapters 9 and 10
Week 8
Topics: Tobacco and Nicotine
Assignments:
___Read Chapter 11
___Do workbook assignment #7: Submit 20 questions from workbook STARTING WITH QUESTION NUMBER 6 on pg. 141 and ending on page 143.
___Participate in Discussion #7 about Chapter 11
Week 9
Topics: Hallucinogens and Marijuana
Assignments:
___Read Chaps 12 and 13
___Do workbook #8: Submit 10 workbook questions beginning with question number 1 in the “Identify” section on pg. 152, and ending on page 153. Also submit the first 10 questions beginning on pg 161.
__Participate in Discussion #8 about Chapters 12 and 13
Week 10
Topics: Inhalants, Prescription Drugs/OTC/Herbal Medications
Assignments:
___Read Chaps 14 and 15
___Do workbook #9. Submit the first 9 questions beginning on pg. 171, and the first 11 questions on pg. 179.
__Participate in Discussion #9 about Chapters 14 and 15
Week 11
Topics: Drug Use/Abuse in Society
Assignments:
___Read Chapter 16
___Do workbook #10: Submit the first 20 questions beginning on p. 193.