NURS 407Drugs of Abuse and Mental Health Issues

3 credits · Nursing · Penn State

RECOMMENDED PREPARATION FOR NURS 407 IS BB H 143 OR PSYCH 100 . NURS 407 examines the issue of substance abuse in today's society. It looks closely into the health care needs across the lifespan of clients who have an alcohol or other drug disorder in combination with a psychiatric disorder. Pharmacological, behavioral, biological, and sociocultural characteristics, along with factors and patterns of addiction, are discussed and then how these factors and characteristics relate to mental illnesses are further explored. The different classes of habit-forming drugs (alcohol, stimulants, marijuana, hallucinogens, inhalants and prescription drugs) are covered and various treatment options are examined.