Substance Use Disorders

Course overview

Substance use in the United States and worldwide is a major health concern requiring specially trained health professionals in primary care, public health and treatment centers for the identification of various categories of substance use and its prevention. Substance use and addiction disorders are explained according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. There is a high risk of substance use among certain groups in society. Although a substance use disorder is typically thought of as illicit drug or chronic alcohol use, commonly occurring within marginalized, crime ridden sectors of society, substance use is a widespread societal problem involving alcohol, tobacco, prescription and illicit drugs, among many individuals indistinguishable from the general population. No Test Required!