PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
This detailed course is designed to provide the student with a broad base of knowledge specific to basic therapeutics and understanding of psychotropic medications. With integrated behavioral care becoming a reality, the necessity for addiction professionals to have a solid understanding of the implications imposed when clients are taking medications. Although there are no pre-requisites for this course, some familiarity with mental illness is helpful.

COURSE CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION:
This course presents a programmed learning module in the area of psychopharmacology and is applicable to clinicians in both inpatient or outpatient settings. The pretest will help determine areas understanding and those areas requiring a refresher or new knowledge. Completion of the programmed workbook will then follow, presenting a detailed examination of the major classes of psychotropic medications, the mode of action, brand and generic names and implications for addiction professionals. The post-test will be the final task for the student and the final grade is reached by achieving a minimum grade of 75 percent.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:
The workbook readings, assigned tasks and programmed questioning on content constitute the bulk of the training module, as well as the instructors critique and feedback. A brief bibliography is included to provide additional resources for the student in the area of treatment planning.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
1. Student will examine his/her attitudes and priorities in addressing the pharmacology of MICA treatment that is affected by their clinical background.
2. Student will understand the key terms and definitions of common psychopharmacologic agents used.
3. Student will describe an overview of the different classes of psychiatric medications.
4. Student will recognize common psychiatric medications, their effects, side effects, and the interactions with the drugs of abuse used by the MICA client.

DIDACTIC / EXPERIENTIAL TIME FOR COMPLETION:
Fifteen hours
Cost: $95.00

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