Substance Abuse

Part 1 Background: historical perspectives; epidemiology; federal role in substance abuse policy; international perspectives on substance abuse policy and treatment. Part 2 Determinants and perpetuators of substance abuse: vulnerability; genetics; craving; conditioning factors; brain reward mechanisms; psychodynamics; sociocultural and economic aspects of drug use and abuse; economics and political basis. Part 3 Substances and areas of abuse: alcohol - clinical aspects; alcohol - neurobioloy; opiates - clinical aspects; opiates - neurobiology; cocaine (and crack) - clinical aspects; cocaine (and crack) - neurobiology; marihuana; amphetamines and other stimulants; anxiolytics, sedative-hypnotics and trycyclis; hallucinogens; phencyclidine (PCP); volatile substances; controlled substance analogues - (designer drugs); OTCs; nicotine; caffeine; anabolic steroids. Part 4 Related compulsive and addictive behaviours: eating disorders; gambling; sects and cults; sexual addictions. Part 5 Evaluation and early treatment: diagnosis and classification - DSM-IV-R and ICD-10; diagnostic interview and mental status examination; diagnostic laboratory - screening for drug abuse; emergency management of acute drug intoxication; detoxification and treatment. Part 6 Treatment approached: 12 step programmes; therapeutic community (TC); rehabilitation programmes and half-way houses; psychiatric hospitals for treatment of dual diagnosis; 12 step alternatives - secular organization for sobriety and rational recovery; individual psychotherapy; structured outpatient group therapy; family therapy; treatment in correctional settings; psychopathology; relapse prevention; social network therapy; methadone maintenance; alternative pharmacotherapies for opiate addiction (LAAM, Buprenorphinr, Naltrexone); alternative medicine; acupuncture; religion; evaluation and treatment outcome; treatment matching. Part 7 Management of associated medical conditions: maternal and neonatal effects of alcohol and drugs; the medically ill substance abuser; treatments of patients with psychotherapy; acute and chronic pain; substances of use and abuse and sexual behaviour. Part 8 HIV infection and AIDS: HIV infection among intravenous drug users - epidemiology and emerging public health perspectives; medical aspects of immunodeficiency virus infections and its treatment in injecting drug users; neuropsychiatric complications; management of the psychosocial sequelae of Hiv infection among drug users; effects of narcotics on immune function. Part 9 Special populations: women; children of substance abusing parents; co-dependence, addictions and related disorders; adolescent substance abuse; substance abuse in the elderly; gays, lesbians and bisexuals; African Americans; Hispanic Americans; the homeless; Native Americans, Asians, and new immigrants; health professionals. Part 10 Prevention and education: school and community-based prevention; public health approached (Part contents).