APPROPRIATE USE OF ABUSED DRUGS

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: Declared in Doctor of Pharmacy program with second year standing or MS Pharmaceutical Sciences: Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation or Capstone Certificate in Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain the biological and pharmacological basis of substance dependence and the mechanisms of commonly abused drugs, including opioids, cannabinoids, psychedelics, amphetamines, and related agents Audience: Graduate 2. Differentiate between substance use, misuse, abuse, and dependence, and analyze their public health implications Audience: Graduate 3. Apply best practices for prescribing opioids for acute and chronic pain, including initiation, titration, tapering, and opioid-sparing strategies Audience: Graduate 4. Develop evidence-based treatment strategies for opioid use disorder and withdrawal management Audience: Graduate 5. Interpret urine drug tests and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program data to inform clinical decision-making Audience: Graduate 6. Identify and manage toxicity and overdose from known and unknown substances of abuse Audience: Graduate 7. Evaluate patterns of misuse in specific populations (e.g., athletes, students) and apply preventive strategies Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain the biological and pharmacological basis of substance dependence and the mechanisms of commonly abused drugs, including opioids, cannabinoids, psychedelics, amphetamines, and related agents Audience: Graduate 2. Differentiate between substance use, misuse, abuse, and dependence, and analyze their public health implications Audience: Graduate 3. Apply best practices for prescribing opioids for acute and chronic pain, including initiation, titration, tapering, and opioid-sparing strategies Audience: Graduate 4. Develop evidence-based treatment strategies for opioid use disorder and withdrawal management Audience: Graduate 5. Interpret urine drug tests and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program data to inform clinical decision-making Audience: Graduate 6. Identify and manage toxicity and overdose from known and unknown substances of abuse Audience: Graduate 7. Evaluate patterns of misuse in specific populations (e.g., athletes, students) and apply preventive strategies Audience: Graduate