This course is designed to acquaint counseling students with the fundamentals of psychoactive drugs and their use, effects, and potential for abuse. The neural mechanisms of drug action, along with the physical and behavioral consequences of use and abuse, are explored. Emphasized concepts include the physiological and psychological mechanisms of addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal. Basics of pharmacology, adverse effects, indications, and drug interactions will be examined. Boundaries of practice and practical issues of assessment and referral will be covered. Prerequisite: 590.