Course Description
This course was created using the Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network publication, Psychotherapeutic Medications 2008: What Every Counselor Should Know. It gives counselors updated information about the use of psychotropic medications for various mental health disorders including purposes, doses, side effects, and cautions. In addition, medications for alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs are outlined, so this would be an appropriate course for anyone in the mental health, medical, or substance abuse treatment fields.
Course Objectives
1. Identify typical uses, when and how medications are administered, side effects, and potential for abuse and or physical dependence of various psychotherapeutic medications.
2. Evaluate risks associated with overdose or use of additional medications, and adverse consequences of medications used to treat mental health disorders and addictions.
3. Exhibit an understanding of how and when antipsychotics and neuroleptics, antiparkinsonian medications, hypnotics, antimanics, antidepressants, antianxieties, stimulants, and opioids are used, and special considerations for the use of these medications.
4. Recognize the appropriate uses of psychotropic medications in the treatment of alcohol abuse and withdrawal, opioid addiction, withdrawal, and maintenance, tobacco cessation, and stimulant intoxication and withdrawal
