Course overview
This course aims to explore the effects of individual substances and learn how the body adapts to continued drug use. In this course, we will explore the biological basis of addictions, but also review environmental and psychological factors that are important contributors to the development of addiction. We will explore these links and look at other new developments in the research on the biological basis of addiction.
Course learning outcomes
- Describe the effects of a range of drugs of abuse including the processes of adaptation in the body and brain that arise with continued drug use
- Explain the processes that drive behavioural addictions
- Analyse the factors that impact on the chance someone will develop an addiction
- Describe the psychological processes that affect continued drug use or problem gambling behaviour
- Describe recent developments in our understanding of the biological basis of addiction and comorbidities