This seven-week course focuses on the basic pharmacology of mental health problems and substance use. It is for front-line workers, care providers, case managers and clinicians working in mental health and substance use programs. Topic areas covered include pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, how neurotransmitters work, and the effects of psychiatric medications and substance use on the brain.
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- identify basic neurobiological mechanisms
- identify the relationship between medication management and psychiatric disorders
- describe the four basic concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- describe the mechanisms of drug action in the brain
- describe the management of common medication side-effects
- describe three pharmacological approaches to treating substance use problems.
Electives must be taken within a four-year period after completing the core course; any courses taken prior to the core program will not count toward the certificate. Participants will need to either re-take those courses or select electives that they have not previously taken.
The
Concurrent Disorders Core Course must be taken
first and then you will need to complete only 2 electives (listed below):