Course Overview

Emphasizes pharmacological effects of addiction, tolerance, dependence, cross addiction, drug interaction, withdrawal, and recovery. Describes the psychological and physiological effects of substance use and behaviors

IInstructor: Kim Arrington, M.Ed, LPC, NCC

Class meets: In class, Live Lectures online, and Assignments online

Office hours: Posted in ConExEd  https://lscpa.craniumcafe.com/arringtonkdlamarpaedu

Appointments available as scheduled with instructor

Office: Allied Health Room 129

Phone: (409)984-6307

Email: arringtonkd@lamarpa.edu

Preferred method of contact: I am available most efficiently through Email at all times during the day. You may text me if absolutely necessary, otherwise, please email. ALL COURSE BUSINESS WILL BE CONDUCTED THROUGH EMAIL. I will not discuss grades, deadlines or assignments via text. 

Emphasizes pharmacological effects of addiction, tolerance, dependence, cross addiction, drug interaction, withdrawal, and recovery. Describes the psychological and physiological effects of substance use and behaviors

Uppers, Downers, and All Arounders. 8th Ed (or 10th Edition) ; Author: Darryl Inaba, Pharm.D.William Cohen; Publisher: CNS Publications

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Additional materials (handouts, power points, practice quizzes, study guides, videos etc) will be provided within the course Blackboard

None.

Course/Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to

1.     Differentiate the stages of substance use and substance related disorders;

2.     Explain the physiological and psychological effects of substance use on the major systems of the body, with emphasis on the central nervous system;

3.     identify classes and schedules of psychoactive drugs and current trends in substance use; and define terms common to substance use.

Program Student Learning Outcomes: PSLOs for DAAC 1304

1.     Explain the psychological and physiological effects of psychoactive substances, including tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal. (PSLO 4)

2.     Identify pharmacological factors (e.g., cross-addiction, drug interaction) relevant to client assessment and treatment planning. (PSLO 2, 4)

3.     Relate pharmacological knowledge to current models and theories of addiction. (PSLO 4)

1. Psychoactive Drugs: Classification and History
2. The Neurochemistry and Physiology of Addiction
3. Uppers (stimulants)
4. Downers: Opiates/Opioids and Sedative-Hypnotics
5. Downers: Alcohol
6. All Arounders (psychedelics)
7. Other Drugs, Other Addictions
8. Drug Use and Prevention: From Cradle to Grave
9. Treatment
10. Mental Health and Drugs

Course Schedule for DAAC 1304 – Fall 2026

This schedule is subject to change.

12/8/26

Final grades will be determined based on the percentage of total points earned in the course, according to the following scale:

• A: 90–100%
• B: 80–89%
• C: 70–79%
• D: 60–69%
• F: Below 60%

A C or better is needed in all courses required by the degree plan in order to graduate with that degree.

Final Grade Determinations:

This course is mainly reading, lectures and memorization of information as it relates to various drug classes and how they interact in the brain and body. Study Guides with study quizzes are available for each chapter.

Course Grade will be based on exams, group work, outside assignments and attendance.

Final Grade Determined by the following:

Chapter Tests=45%,

Discussion Boards =35%

Attendance & Participation 10%

Final Exam covering all chapters = 10%

CONFIDENTIALITY

These classes prepare you for a career in counseling, and class discussions will sometimes involve confidential material from you and your classmates. Privileged information shared in class may under no circumstances be repeated or shared outside the classroom. Written materials, personal feelings, and insights may be shared during discussion. If you are ever unsure, err on the side of keeping the trust.

Students are ultimately responsible for their own learning and professional growth — what you put into this course is what you will get out of it. It is your responsibility to conduct a realistic self-appraisal of what you personally need to master and how best to attain it. Challenge yourself to grow both as an individual and as a professional. All students are expected to respect the confidentiality of the classroom and the discussions held within it.

This class will, at times, involve information of a personal nature for many students. All students are expected to maintain the dignity and respect of any personal stories shared within the group. I am available to any student who wishes to discuss private matters related to course material. If you feel you need professional counseling services, the College's counseling center is available to students, or I can provide you a referral.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

* * Assignments on black board are counted as attendance in class.

Research has shown a strong positive relationship between attendance, participation and college success. I strongly suggest regular participation in this course, both mental and physical. 1. Students on campus but not in class are considered absent.

2. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor prior to any absence.

3. Excused absences include hospitalization of you or an immediate family member, participation in a college event, or a religious holy day. Prior notification to me for pending absences due to college events or religious holy days is required. Documentation of hospitalization is required.

Attendance is based on Present (100), Excused (50), Absent (0) for the day of the scheduled class.

Late Work and Attendance Policy

If you need to submit an assignment or complete a discussion board after the due date, you must email the instructor in advance to request permission. Late submissions without prior approval may not be accepted.

All late assignments will incur a minimum deduction of 10 points (the highest possible grade in this case would be an 89).

All approved late assignments will incur the same if assignment is not completed by the approved extension deadline.

Additional deductions of 5-10 points per day may be applied depending on the length of the delay.

Work submitted more than 14 days past the due date may not be accepted.

Scheduled Tests, quizzes, exams cannot be made up or rescheduled

Students are responsible for all lecture materials, assignments, and announcements covered during all class sessions, regardless of attendance.

Discussion Board language

The main discussion board page appears weekly with the discussion forum. Forums are made up of individual discussion threads that can be organized around a subject. A thread is a conversation within a forum that includes the initial post and all replies to it. When you access the forum, the thread appears.

In most cases, each student must post an original thread and respond to at least two other students by the due date. A requirement of the original post must be at least 3 complete sentences. It is suggested that you write your post as you would in a professional setting. Abbreviations, text language, or other short forms of casual conversation are not generally accepted as professional language.

Core Rules of Netiquette: Netiquette is a set of rules for behaving properly online. Your professor and fellow students wish to foster a safe online learning environment. All opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse. You are encouraged to comment, question, or critique an idea but you are not to attack an individual. Working as a community of learners, we can build a polite and respectful course community.

·        Do not dominate any discussion.

·        Give other students the opportunity to join in the discussion.

·        Do not use offensive language. Present ideas appropriately.

·        Be cautious in using Internet language. For example, do not capitalize all letters since this suggests shouting.

·        Popular emoticons such as ☺ or / can be helpful to convey your tone, but remember they are not appropriate as part of professional communication once licensed or functioning as a practicing clinician.

·        Avoid using vernacular and/or slang language. This could possibly lead to misinterpretation.

·        Never make fun of someone’s ability to read or write.

·        Share tips with other students.

·        Keep an “open-mind” and be willing to express even your opinion while respecting the opinion and experience of others.

·        Minority opinions have to be respected.

·        Think and edit before you push the “Send” button.

·        Do not hesitate to ask for feedback.

·        Using humor is acceptable 

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.