DSST Substance Abuse study plan
DSST Substance Abuse · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Substances (e.g., anabolic steroids, over-the-counter medications) & Dependency/addiction
List the major classes of substances (e.g., depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, opioids, cannabis, anabolic steroids, OTC medications) and their primary mechanisms of action.
Define key terms: substance use, abuse, dependence, addiction, tolerance, withdrawal, and craving.
Describe the DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder and distinguish between mild, moderate, and severe.
Explain the difference between physical and psychological dependence.
Your checkpoint
Create a comparison table of substance classes with their effects, withdrawal symptoms, and dependence potential.
Substances (e.g., anabolic steroids, over-the-counter medications) & Dependency/addiction
Identify the effects and risks of anabolic steroids, including medical and non-medical uses.
Explain the abuse potential and regulation of over-the-counter medications (e.g., dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, antihistamines).
Describe the addiction cycle (binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, preoccupation/anticipation) and its neurobiological basis.
Compare the addictive potential of different substances (e.g., nicotine, alcohol, opioids, cannabis).
Your checkpoint
Write a one-page summary explaining how OTC medications and anabolic steroids can lead to dependence, with examples.
Societal effects & Neurological factors
Analyze the societal costs of substance abuse: healthcare, criminal justice, productivity loss, and family impact.
Describe the role of dopamine in reward and reinforcement and how drugs of abuse alter dopamine signaling.
Explain how chronic substance use affects brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus.
Discuss the concept of neuroplasticity in addiction and recovery.
Your checkpoint
Prepare a concept map linking neurotransmitter systems (dopamine, GABA, glutamate, opioids) to the effects of specific substances.
Screening and diagnosis & Societal effects
Outline the components of a comprehensive substance abuse assessment (history, physical exam, lab tests, collateral information).
Describe common screening tools (e.g., AUDIT, DAST, CAGE) and their appropriate use.
Differentiate between screening, diagnosis, and assessment.
Explain the impact of stigma on help-seeking and access to treatment.
Your checkpoint
Complete a practice case: given a vignette, apply DSM-5 criteria and a screening tool to formulate a diagnosis and justify it.
Neurological factors & Screening and diagnosis
Explain the neurological basis of withdrawal syndromes for alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines.
Describe the role of genetics and environment in vulnerability to addiction.
Identify neurological complications of chronic substance use (e.g., Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, stroke, cognitive impairment).
Discuss how neuroimaging studies have advanced understanding of addiction.
Your checkpoint
Create a table of neurological complications associated with specific substances and their underlying mechanisms.
Societal effects & Substances (e.g., anabolic steroids, over-the-counter medications)
Summarize major public policy approaches to substance abuse (e.g., taxation, minimum legal drinking age, prescription drug monitoring programs).
Describe the impact of substance abuse on special populations (adolescents, pregnant women, older adults).
Explain harm reduction strategies (e.g., needle exchange, naloxone distribution, supervised consumption sites).
Analyze the relationship between substance abuse and mental health disorders (dual diagnosis).
Your checkpoint
Write a short essay (300 words) evaluating the effectiveness of one public policy or harm reduction strategy.
Dependency/addiction & Screening and diagnosis
Compare treatment modalities: behavioral therapies (CBT, motivational interviewing), pharmacotherapies (e.g., methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, disulfiram), and support groups.
Describe the stages of change model and its application in treatment.
Explain the importance of relapse prevention and aftercare.
Discuss ethical and legal issues in substance abuse treatment (confidentiality, mandatory reporting, informed consent).
Your checkpoint
Develop a treatment plan for a hypothetical client, including diagnosis, interventions, and expected outcomes.
Substances (e.g., anabolic steroids, over-the-counter medications) & Dependency/addiction & Societal effects & Screening and diagnosis & Neurological factors
Review all domains using practice questions and flashcards, focusing on weak areas identified in previous weeks.
Synthesize knowledge by explaining how the domains interconnect (e.g., how neurological factors influence societal effects).
Complete a full-length practice test under timed conditions.
Review incorrect answers and create a personalized cheat sheet of key facts.
Your checkpoint
Score at least 80% on a comprehensive practice exam and submit a one-page summary of key takeaways and areas for further review.
Milestones
Week 2: Can you list at least five classes of substances and their primary effects and withdrawal symptoms without notes?
Week 4: Can you correctly apply DSM-5 criteria to a case vignette and select an appropriate screening tool?
Week 6: Can you explain the role of dopamine in addiction and describe two societal consequences of substance abuse?
Week 8: Achieve a score of 80% or higher on a comprehensive practice exam covering all domains.