• Continuing professional development (CPD)

Psychopharmacology and Addiction

CPD Level 7
Location
How to apply
How to apply
Overview

Overview

The accredited course provides health and social care practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of the theories of substance use disorders and addictive behaviours from biological, psychological, social, and political perspectives.  

This is a key first module for students and practitioners who might be new to this specialist area, however, at this level students will be required to have advanced critical and analytical skills.

Course requirements: Evidence of study at Level 6 (Degree Level).

Cost and funding: This fee covers the full course cost.

  • Sept 23 - Aug 24 fees: £900
  • Sept 24 - Aug 25 fees: TBC

Credits: 20

Assessment method: Essay 80% and multiple choice questionnaire 20%

Future Intakes

Please note, applications for this course are currently closed. The details for the next course will be published shortly, at which point the course will be open to book.

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Study dates and times

Study dates and times

This course is taught on day release, select a start date to see the study days:

The course is delivered online with study days running from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Please note, study days are subject to change. In this circumstance, students will be notified of date changes in advance.

The course will focus on:

Social and Cultural Differences in Substance Use and Misuse

  • Cultural and historical variations in substance use and social and political responses
  • How the Internet and Novel Psychoactive Drugs (Legal Highs) have changed the nature of the drug market.

Drugs, Law and the Policies

  • A national, European and global perspective of policies and legislation around drug misuse
  • Offer and demand: national and international perspectives.

Classification of psychoactive substances and effects

  • Types and physiology of psychoactive substances 
  • Recognising the effects of psychoactive substances
  • Clubs and recreational drug use: the spread of Ecstasy, novel psychoactive substances and the change of perception of class A drugs.

Theories and explanations for the use of psychoactive substances

  • The concepts of substance use and misuse and differing theoretical perspectives
  • Why do people use psychoactive substances?  
  • Underlining factors underpinning substance use and misuse
  • Social perceptions of substance use, diversity and identities.

Theories and explanations for substance use, problem use, addiction and dependence

  • Theories of use and problem use, addiction and dependence
  • Behavioural addiction, with particular emphasis on the debate around gaming and use of Internet
  • Social, psychological models of dependence.

Trends and patterns

  • Current patterns and trends of psychoactive substances in the UK Measures in mortality, morbidity, use and dependence
  • The chemsex phenomenon.
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Margherita Milani Raffaella Photo

Associate Professor Raffaella Margherita Milani

I am a chartered psychologist, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Trustee of Addiction Professionals. I have researched the effect of ecstasy polydrug use on mental wellbeing and also published in the areas of gender, binge drinking and sexual behaviour.

I teach on the following modules:

  • Addiction Treatment Interventions - Level 6 and Level 7

  • Dual Diagnosis: Substance Use and Mental Health - Level 6 and Level 7

  • Substance Use and Infectious Diseases - Level 6 and Level 7

  • Dissertation (Addiction Studies)

I also contribute to teaching in Psychology and MSc Health Psychology.

I am a chartered psychologist, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Trustee of Addiction Professionals. I have researched the effect of ecstasy polydrug use on mental wellbeing and also published in the areas of gender, binge drinking and sexual behaviour.

I teach on the following modules:

  • Addiction Treatment Interventions - Level 6 and Level 7

  • Dual Diagnosis: Substance Use and Mental Health - Level 6 and Level 7

  • Substance Use and Infectious Diseases - Level 6 and Level 7

  • Dissertation (Addiction Studies)

I also contribute to teaching in Psychology and MSc Health Psychology.

Study and career progression

Study and career progression

This can be taken as a standalone module or the credits can be used towards one of our new and exciting courses:

  • PgCert/PgDip/MSc Professional Practice (badged awards available e.g. Substance Misuse, Complex Mental Health Needs)
  • MSc Advanced Practice (Substance Misuse).
How to apply

How to apply

Applications currently closed

We recommend your application is submitted to the University at least two weeks prior to the start of the course.

After your application is accepted and you have been offered a place on the course, you will be sent information about how to enrol. You must complete enrolment before your course starts.

Contact us

For more information about our CPD courses please get in touch with Dr Claire Anderson, Associate Dean (Berkshire), College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare:

Browse more CPD courses

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Find out more about Continuing Professional Development with the College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare and see the range of courses on offer.

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