This is a course about addiction to drugs and other behaviors. It will describe what happens in the brain and how this information helps us deal with and overcome addiction. It will also discuss other topics, such as government policy and our vulnerability to take drugs.
(2,212 reviews)
Details to know
Add to your LinkedIn profile
8 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 8 modules in this course
In this first week, we'll explore drug abuse, types of addictions, and the behaviors associated with them.
What's included
6 videos5 readings1 assignment
In this second week, we'll get a glimpse at why certain drugs are addicting and how they affect different regions of the brain.
What's included
6 videos3 readings1 assignment
In this third week, we'll take a deep dive into the different types of drugs and their individual effects.
What's included
7 videos4 readings1 assignment
In this fourth week, we'll take a look at the drug self-administration model in animals and the implications of these results.
What's included
8 videos3 readings1 assignment
In this fifth week, we'll consider synaptic transmission and how drugs alter it.
What's included
7 videos4 readings1 assignment
In this sixth week, we'll have the chance to consider the concept of vulnerability and the value and effectiveness of treatment.
What's included
8 videos3 readings1 assignment
In this seventh week, we'll explore drug treatment and government drug policies that exist.
What's included
6 videos3 readings1 assignment
In this final week, we'll explore the recent opioid epidemic as well as the topic of medical and recreational marijuana.
What's included
6 videos5 readings1 assignment
Instructor
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Basic Science
Peking University
University of Michigan
University of Colorado System
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Learner reviews
2,212 reviews
- 5 stars
76.10%
- 4 stars
17.14%
- 3 stars
4.25%
- 2 stars
1.31%
- 1 star
1.17%
Showing 3 of 2212
Reviewed on Apr 1, 2018
I learned a lot from this course that I have been able to use in a ministry capacity. If you are trying to help others with addiction or understand it for yourself, this is the course for you.
Reviewed on Oct 7, 2015
A great and informative course. Very clear and interesting! I would have appreciated a bit more if it discussed more tips to help prevent/deal-with drug abuse or addiction. Thank you for the course!
Reviewed on Dec 31, 2021
This course covered a lot of fascinating topics such as how drugs affect the brain, why people become addicts, and how we can treat addiction. A very rewarding and fun course!
New to Basic Science? Start here.
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.