The Epidemiology of Substance Use and Related Problems

3 Credits.

Presents an overview of the epidemiology of drug and alcohol dependence and its relevance to public health. Reviews trends in estimates of prevalence and incidence of drug and alcohol use and problems related to use. Examines factors that might influence subgroup variation and health disparities in drug use outcomes using a dynamic approach that addresses changes over time and across the life course. Explores the universe of suspected causal influences and mechanisms ranging from genetic to societal influences using a model in which transitions in stages of drug involvement are influenced by interactions between individual susceptibility and social environmental factors. Presents research methodology and recent innovations in drug and alcohol epidemiologic research. The goal of this course is further understanding of the usefulness of epidemiology for shedding light on the natural history of drug and alcohol use and the relevance of epidemiologic research to basic and clinical research