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Sep 20, 2026
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HUMS 113 - Substances and Addictions
PREREQUISITES: Demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment or earning a grade of “C” or better in ENGL 083 - Reading Strategies for College and ENGL 093 - Introduction to College Writing , or ENGL 095 - Integrated Reading and Writing or ENGL 075 - Co-Requisite Integrated Reading .
PROGRAM: Human Services
CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
LECTURE HOURS MIN: 3
TOTAL CONTACT HOURS MIN: 48
DATE OF LAST REVISION: Fall 2024
This introductory course offers a comprehensive overview of addiction, emphasizing the effects of various substances on the brain and body. Students will examine commonly abused drugs, including their origins, composition, therapeutic uses, and toxicology, as well as their impact on individuals, families, and society. The course also explores the symptoms and effects of substance abuse and dependence. Course meets some of the academic requirements toward state addictions licensure and may meet the educational requirements from other industry certifications.
MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be expected to:
- Trace the historical development of substance abuse treatment in the United States.
- Describe the nature of substance abuse and dependence.
- Examine the structure of the brain and how drugs and alcohol affect it, contributing to the development of addiction.
- Understand the motivation for using alcohol and other drugs.
- Identify the main drug classifications, along with the physiological, psychological, and sociological effects of their use, as well as the laws related to drug classifications.
- Explore the rise in synthetic drugs and the impact on individuals and communities.
- Describe neurotransmitters and how they are affected by drugs and alcohol.
- Identify the stages of alcohol dependence.
- Examine the stages of substance abuse and the progression of psychoactive substance use.
- Recognize the effects of substance abuse on fetal development.
- Identify the effects and patterns of substance abuse in special populations.
- Explore substance use disorder and its impact on different cultural groups.
- Examine effects and patterns of substance abuse
- Assess the pharmacological effects of psychoactive drugs on the central nervous system, including withdrawal, tolerance and risk of overdose.
- Compare the CNS naturally occurring psychoactive chemicals with those used illicitly.
- Explore diseases caused by blood borne pathogens, such as HIV, AIDS and HEP B & C
COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study include -
- Historical perspectives
- Drug Testing
- Legal and Regulatory Issues
- CNS
- Comorbidity
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Limbic system
- Cross/Reverse tolerance
- Physiology
- NIDA
Course Addendum - Syllabus (Click to expand)
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