Drugs on the Brain
Many specialist drug workers have told us, as you would expect, that they know quite a lot about drugs.
However, they would like to know more about how drugs work in the brain. Our understanding of how drugs work in the brain is constantly being updated as the science improves. Understanding some of the principles of the biochemistry of drug use (and understanding how this interacts with environmental and psychological factors) can help us to make better predictions about the effects of drugs and help us to explain the effects to service users. 
Provides underpinning knowledge towards the following DANOS units:
AB2: Support individuals who are substance users
AA1: Recognise indications of substance misuse and refer individuals to specialists
AD1: Raise awareness about substances, their use and effects
HSC335: Contribute to the protection of individuals from harm and abuse
HSC33: Reflect on and develop your practice
The course covers:
Understand different processes of the metabolism of substance
Biochemical processes of tolerance (and how they relate to psychological processes of tolerance)
Know about the action of drugs on the brain’s reward system and the impact on psychology of drug use
Know about the role of neurotransmitters
Understand the action of a range of drugs on the brain, specifically heroin, cocaine, alcohol and cannabis.