Online Class: Understanding Drug and Alcohol Abuse

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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11Lessons
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25Exams &
Assignments -
4,639Students
have taken this course -
7Hours
average time -
0.7CEUs
Course Description
"Understanding Drug and Alcohol Abuse" is an essential and comprehensive course designed to address the critical issue of substance abuse in our society. This course is not just an educational journey; it's a deep dive into understanding, confronting, and ultimately combating the pervasive challenges of drug and alcohol abuse.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is tailored for a diverse audience – educators, parents, counselors, teenagers, or anyone touched by the impacts of substance abuse. It's particularly beneficial for those seeking to understand the complexities of addiction or looking for practical ways to support someone struggling with these issues.
Course Structure and Content
The course is divided into two main parts, each offering a wealth of knowledge and practical guidance:
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Understanding Substance Abuse: The first part delves into the history, facts, and dynamics of drug and alcohol abuse. It provides an up-to-date overview of the most commonly abused substances in the U.S., including alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, methamphetamines, LSD, and various prescription drugs. We'll explore the reasons behind substance abuse, focusing on the psychological, social, and environmental factors that contribute to addiction.
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Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery: The second part of the course focuses on practical aspects – prevention strategies, intervention techniques, and recovery processes. We'll discuss the signs of substance abuse, how to approach and support someone struggling with addiction, and the journey towards recovery, including rehabilitation and ongoing support.
Current Trends and Statistics
We'll explore how addiction affects various age groups and social classes, with a special focus on adolescents and teenagers – the most vulnerable group.
Special Notes and Personalized Guidance
The course offers personalized notes and guidance for those who might be experiencing substance abuse issues. These special sections, highlighted in rose-colored boxes, provide direct, compassionate, and practical advice for individuals seeking help.
Beyond the Course
While this course offers extensive knowledge, it emphasizes the importance of professional guidance and community support. We'll provide a comprehensive list of resources, including counseling services, support groups, and online forums, to assist those in need of further help.
Key Takeaways
- Comprehensive Understanding: Gain a deep understanding of the causes, effects, and dynamics of drug and alcohol abuse.
- Practical Skills: Learn how to identify signs of substance abuse, effective intervention strategies, and support mechanisms for recovery.
- Empathy and Support: Develop an empathetic understanding of the struggles faced by individuals dealing with addiction, and how to offer meaningful support.
- Resource Access: Gain access to a wealth of resources for further assistance and ongoing support.
Enrollment and Certification
The course offers flexible enrollment options, making it accessible to a wide audience. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate, acknowledging their commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges of drug and alcohol abuse.
This class is a vital resource for anyone looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of substance abuse. Whether you're personally affected, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking to broaden your knowledge, this course offers the insights, tools, and resources needed to make a meaningful difference in confronting this critical issue in our society. Join us in this important endeavor to build a healthier, more informed community.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1. From History to Healing: Comprehensive Insights into Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Focused on the pervasive issue of substance abuse, this lesson delves into historical usage patterns and current dangers, particularly for vulnerable groups. It promotes community support programs like AA and NA, showcasing their catalytic role in successful recovery journeys.Lesson 2. Drug Availability: Patterns and Prevention
Drugs, both legal and illegal, infiltrate youth through intricate distribution networks, making understanding these pathways key to prevention. By unraveling these complex systems, we equip ourselves to counteract the challenges posed by substance abuse and addiction.Lesson 3. From Social Pressure to Chemical Imbalance: The Many Faces of Substance Use
Adolescents face unique social and environmental pressures that can lead them to substance abuse as a way to escape anxiety and low self-esteem, often intensified by peer pressure and media influence. Real-life scenarios show how easily substance use can evolve from experimentation to dependency without proper support and guidance.Lesson 4. Confronting Dependency: A Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Addiction
Modern science views addiction as a chronic disease affecting brain chemistry and function, rather than a moral failing. This perspective improves prevention and treatment strategies, offering recovery hope to many affected individuals.Lesson 5. Societal Consequences of Substance Abuse: Understanding and Addressing the Ripple Effect
With a staggering $249 billion annual economic cost due to excessive alcohol consumption in the U.S., the societal burden extends well beyond personal affliction. Substance abuse's intergenerational cycle perpetuates through children in affected households, underscoring addiction as a public concern requiring urgent intervention.Lesson 6. Breaking the Cycle: How Family Influence Prevents Addiction
Open communication and active parenting are potent tools for preventing substance abuse, allowing parents to discuss issues, connect with their children, and guide them through peer pressure situations. By fostering trust and sharing personal recovery journeys, parents can inspire children to choose paths devoid of substance use.Lesson 7. Crafting Drug-Free Futures: Schools at the Forefront
Most U.S. schools have some form of drug prevention, but inconsistent programs risk leaving students vulnerable. Parents and communities must actively support schools by fostering open communication, setting clear expectations, and engaging in collaborative prevention efforts.Lesson 8. A Safer Workplace: Harnessing the Power of Drug Prevention Programs
Substance abuse significantly affects workplaces, necessitating comprehensive drug-free policies to maintain safety and productivity. Employers can leverage resources like the 'Working Partners' program to effectively implement these policies, balancing rights, and promoting employee education and support.Lesson 9. Comprehensive Assessment and Intervention for Substance Abuse: Mapping the Path to Recovery
Intervention is a critical, compassionate action by loved ones to inspire an individual to seek addiction treatment, breaking through their denial. Conducted in supportive settings, interventions focus on expressing love and concern without blame, encouraging acknowledgment of the problem.Lesson 10. Addiction Treatment: A Lifeline to Sobriety
The decision to seek treatment, whether voluntary or mandated, marks a pivotal first step in the recovery journey, driven by personal motivation and the pressing consequences of addiction. Effective treatment is built on a foundation of genuine commitment, embracing a comprehensive range of modalities tailored to individual needs.Lesson 11. The Journey of Recovery: Embrace, Evolve, Empower
Ongoing support and understanding relapse as part of the process are critical in recovery, with community and shared experiences offering invaluable help. Maintaining sobriety requires a proactive approach like employing mindfulness, therapy, and lifestyle changes to build resilience against triggers.
Learning Outcomes
- Define the historical factors contributing to substance abuse by identifying key events and trends from ancient to modern times.
- Describe the role of education and counseling in the prevention and intervention of substance abuse, using specific techniques and examples discussed in the course.
- Describe effective community-based strategies that aid in the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse among adolescents
- Identify various pathways through which illegal drugs are distributed globally and describe their impact on youth access
- Describe the impact of substance abuse on brain chemistry, specifically focusing on the role of neurotransmitters such as dopamine.
- Identify the key psychological, environmental, and societal factors contributing to substance abuse, demonstrating an understanding of their interrelations.
- Identify and describe the key neurological changes and behaviors associated with addiction as a chronic disease.
- Recognize and differentiate between the clinical signs of substance abuse and addiction using the criteria provided.
- Describe effective strategies for preventing and addressing substance abuse, focusing on education, treatment, and policy reform.
- Recognize the societal consequences of substance abuse, including economic costs and impacts on families and communities.
- Demonstrate the ability to implement at least two practical strategies for preventing substance abuse in children through active parental involvement and open communication.
- Identify and describe at least three risk and protective factors influencing substance abuse in children, based on the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) guidelines.
- Define key components of effective school-based drug prevention programs, including community involvement and interactive engagement.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Choose Your Subscription Plan
No Certificate / No CEUs
This course only
Includes certificate | X |
Includes CEUs | X |
Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificate & CEUs
This course only
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 12 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Student Testimonials
- "This course was great! I want to go to work in this field and found it not only accurate but helpful." -- Anita G.
- "I found this coarse to be very informative and enables me with the knowledge and skills to address any related problems within my business." -- Bulent U.
- "I think the course was super helpful, and has taught me a lot about drug rehabs, detoxification, and a lot about workplace safety." -- Alden B.
- "I learned a lot of new things as well as things I remembered during this course. The information was helpful for me to get back in the field of addiction. I am glad I took this course." -- Bernadette B.
- "I think this course is very helpful and I like that it teaches me how to support others in need of help." -- Christina M.
- "Thank you so much! I am now well-equipped to understand the clients that have substance misuse disorders." -- Monica H.
- "I thought this course was a very helpful and great way to guide addicts and people looking to work in this field." -- Megan M.
- "I was impressed by Instructor Dr. Deirdre Mithaug's outstanding organization of the lessons, assignments and examinations!" -- Alvin O.
- "The course was very well put together, and to the instructor, job well done." -- Dexter K.
- "This course was helpful and interesting." -- Donna B.
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