Introductory description

This module examines the environmental and neurobiological mechanisms that underlie addiction and dependency syndrome. Students will explore how addiction and dependency manifest, how they affect the brain, and examine the latest research on genetic and environmental risk factors, as well as innovative treatments and interventions informed by the latest thinking in medicine, social work, psychology, and neuroscience.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The outline syllabus gives an indication of the topics that will be covered in the module.

1. Environmental and genetic risk factors in addiction and dependency.
2. Understanding the neuroscience of addiction and dependency.
3. Pharmacological and psychological interventions.
4. Harm reduction strategies.
5. The impact of addiction and dependency on families and communities.
6. Recovery models and the neuroscience and psychology of change.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Critically analyse the neurophysiology and neuropharmacology of addiction and dependency.
• Critically evaluate genetic and environmental risk factors in addiction and dependency onset.
• Critically evaluate pharmacological and psychological interventions in addiction and dependency and how cultural and social contexts inform approaches to treatment.
• Advocate for harm reduction strategies in addiction and dependency management.
• Create a comprehensive treatment plan for a person with an addiction or someone exhibiting signs of dependency.
• Create a strategy for supporting recovery in people with mental illness.

Interdisciplinary

The understanding of mental health necessitates collaboration across disciplines, and it is appropriate that this is reflected in the course. The module is designed to appeal to a range of professionals, including medical, nursing, counselling, pharmaceutical, bioscience and other disciplines engaged in promoting good mental health.

International

The course will recruit from (and be delivered in) multiple territories, and the content will be tailored to the students’ own territories, reflecting local and international standards and approaches to understanding and promoting good mental health.

Subject specific skills

Subject-specific skills that will be obtained from the module include:

• Proficiency in understanding the neurophysiology of dependency.
• Skill in recognising the difference between addiction and dependency.
• Ability to evaluate interventions and harm reduction strategies tailored for different dependency syndromes.

Transferable skills

Improvement of a range of transferable skills, including:

• Written communication.
• Oral communication.
• Organisation and time management.
• Independence and initiative.