Section: Module 1: Lesson 1: Introduction to Substance Use Disorders | Substance Use and Public Health | NextGenU.org

  • Student Learning Outcomes:
    Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
    • Define key terms associated with substance use.
    • Describe different models of addiction.
    • Examine substance use as a chronic relapsing disorder.
    • Explain what substances are used and abused and their effect on an individual's health and social functioning.
    Approximate time required to complete the readings (at 144 words/minute) and assignments for this lesson: 3 hours and 39 minutes.

    Click here to start this lesson

    • Required Learning Resources
    • url icon
      The Science of Drug Use and Addiction: The Basics. URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the entire article to understand key terms. (10 minutes)

      National Institute on Drug Abuse

    • url icon
      Addictionary URL
      Students must
      View

      Lookup the definition of the terms "Withdrawal" and "relapse" in this special dictionary about substance use. Additionally, you may search for any other unfamiliar terms to improve your understanding. (2 minutes)

      Recovery Research Institute

    • url icon
      Understanding the Disease of Addiction URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the content under the heading "Addiction Models." (3 minutes)

      American Addiction Centers

    • url icon
      Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health: Chapter 2 :The Neurobiology of Substance Use, Misuse, and Addiction. URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the content under the heading "Preview", "Conducting Research on Neurobiology...", "The Addiction Cycle", "Different Classes of ...", "Different Classes of Substances Affect the Brain and Behavior in Different Ways" and "Factors that Increase ...". (28 minutes)

      NCBI

    • url icon
      Alcohol's Effects on the Body URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the entire page. (6 minutes)

      National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

    • url icon
      Commonly Used Drugs Charts URL
      Students must
      View

      Click on "Cocaine," "Marijuana (Cannabis)," "Heroin," "Inhalants," "Prescription Opioids," "Tobacco/Nicotine," and "Methamphetamine" and read the section "Possible Health Effects" for each. (7 minutes)

      National Institute on Drug Abuse

    • url icon
      Over the Counter (OTC) Drug Addiction, Abuse, And Treatment URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the entire page. (6 minutes)

      Addiction Center

    • url icon
      Family and Social Aspects of Substance Use Disorders and Treatment URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the entire article. (11 minutes)

      NCBI

    • Students must
      Mark as done
      Supplementary Learning Resources (Not Required)
    • url icon
      3.4 Models that help us understand AOD use in society URL
      Students must
      View

      Although the resource is a bit old, it provides an excellent overview of the various models of addiction. You can read the entire page for a summary of different models. (10 minutes)

      Australian Government Department of health