PSY 517
Alcohol and Chemical Substance Abuse
Online Course
PSY 517 Alcohol and Chemical Substance Abuse
3 Semester Units
Alcohol and Chemical Substance Abuse examines various drugs, drug-related issues, and alcohol through multiple lenses: historical, social, psychological, cultural, biological, and medical. Woven throughout the course is the idea that the effects of drugs and alcohol are as dependent upon individual users’ psychological and biological characteristics as they are on a drug’s specific properties. This course also explores substance misuse treatment and prevention.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the various definitions of the term drug, and examine the history of drug use in the United States as well as key issues related to prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
- Examine the effect of drugs on the nervous system and discuss the history of psychotherapeutic medications.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the key elements of pharmacology, psychopharmacology, and new drug development.
- Analyze current methods for assessment and treatment of substance use disorders and discuss the various drug prevention models.
- Describe the different categories of drugs, their history, acute and chronic effects.
- Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to alcohol and chemical substance abuse.
If you are interested in taking this course, please explore a degree or certificate program below:
> Explore Psychology ProgramsCCU Online Courses FAQ
No. At this time, students may only enroll in a certificate or degree program and cannot enroll into a single course. We urge you to Explore All Programs to find a certificate or degree program best suited to your needs.
All of our programs are self-paced. This means you can complete your coursework as quickly or as slowly as your schedule permits as long as you complete one course every six months to remain an active student in good standing.
This course is structured into four units and a final exam. Each unit has a required essay and an open book multiple-choice exam.
Yes. Every course in the educational programs offered at California Coast University requires an assigned textbook. To assist students in managing the high costs of textbooks, CCU offers a rental library for all required texts.
Students can also obtain textbooks in their local areas or through online sources if they do not wish to utilize the University's rental library. There are many resources on the web for renting, purchasing, and selling textbooks. If you would like to purchase your textbooks, or are interested in exploring other delivery methods (digital or pdf versions), we have compiled a handy Textbook Resource Page for students who wish to explore other options.
Students can also obtain textbooks in their local areas or through online sources if they do not wish to utilize the University's rental library. There are many resources on the web for renting, purchasing, and selling textbooks. If you would like to purchase your textbooks, or are interested in exploring other delivery methods (digital or pdf versions), we have compiled a handy Textbook Resource Page for students who wish to explore other options.
Yes. California Coast University holds accreditation through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). DEAC is listed by the United States Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
Please contact us. You can also download a CCU Brochure or complete a Request For Information Form Online.