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Nursing questions

Effects of Substance Use Paper

Three deliverables, all pharmacological. This is the biology assignment inside a counselling course, and a paper about addiction, recovery or treatment has answered the wrong question.

Editorial process

Last reviewed · August 22, 2026

01

Three pharmacological deliverables, not a paper on addiction

The three required elements are all pharmacological and none of them is about addiction, treatment or recovery, which is where a counselling student's instinct pulls. Consumption means route of administration and why the route matters: smoked and injected routes reach the brain within seconds and produce a steeper reinforcement curve than oral use, which is a pharmacological fact with clinical consequences rather than a piece of context. Pharmacology means mechanism of action at the receptor or transporter level, plus absorption, distribution, metabolism, half-life and elimination. Physiological effects means what happens to organ systems, acutely and with chronic use, including withdrawal. Keeping those three separate matters because they answer different questions and a marker will look for each: the first is about how the drug gets in, the second about what it does once there, and the third about what that costs the body. Blur them and the paper becomes a general description of the substance.

In 500 to 750 words the discipline is choosing one substance and going deep rather than covering several. Work at the level of the actual mechanism. Opioids agonise mu receptors, producing analgesia, euphoria and respiratory depression, and respiratory depression is the mechanism of overdose death, which is the sentence that makes an opioid paper clinical rather than descriptive. Benzodiazepines potentiate GABA-A, which is why they are cross-tolerant with alcohol and why withdrawal from both can be fatal in a way opioid withdrawal generally is not. Cocaine blocks dopamine reuptake and has a cardiovascular effect profile that produces its own emergency presentations. Choose one, name the receptor, and let the physiological effects follow from it, because a paper where the effects section does not follow from the mechanism section has treated them as two lists rather than as an explanation. The connective tissue is the whole point of the assignment.

Likely learning objectives

  • Distinguish route of administration effects from consumption description.
  • Describe a substance's mechanism at receptor or transporter level.
  • Derive physiological effects from the stated mechanism.
  • Identify which withdrawal syndromes carry medical danger.

Assignment instructions

Read the full question

Review every instruction before using the planning guidance that follows.

PCN 501 Grand Canyon Week 2 Assignment Effects of Substance Use Paper Details: Choose one of the following substances Alcohol Benzodiazepines Central Nervous System Stimulants Cocaine Marijuana Opioids Write a 500- to 750-word summary describing the following: 1- How the substance is consumed 2- The pharmacology of the substance 3- The physiological effects of the substance on the human body Include at least two scholarly references in addition to the textbook in your paper. Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. PCN 501 Grand Canyon Week 2 Assignment Grading Rubric Performance Category 100% or highest level of performance 100% 16 points Very good or high level of performance 88% 14 points Acceptable level of performance 81% 13 points Inadequate demonstration of expectations 68% 11 points Deficient level of performance 56% 9 points Failing level of performance 55% or less 0 points Total Points Possible= 50 16 Points 14 Points 13 Points 11 Points 9 Points 0 Points Scholarliness Demonstrates achievement of scholarly inquiry for professional and academic topics. Presentation of information was exceptional and included all of the following elements: Provides evidence of scholarly inquiry relevant to required TD topic(s). Presents specific information from scholarly sources to develop a comprehensive presentation of facts. Uses at least one outside scholarly reference that is relevant, less than 5 years old (use of older references requires instructor permission) and reliable for the required topic.* Uses in-text citation and full reference at end of posting when presenting another person’s thoughts as quotes or paraphrase of information. Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements: Provides evidence of scholarly inquiry relevant to required TD topic(s). Presents specific information from scholarly sources to develop a comprehensive presentation of facts. Uses at least one outside scholarly reference that is relevant, less than 5 years old (use of older references requires instructor permission) and reliable for the required topic.* Uses in-text citation and full reference at end of posting when presenting another person’s thoughts as quotes or paraphrase of information. Presentation of information was minimally demonstrated in all of the following elements: Provides evidence of scholarly inquiry relevant to required TD topic(s). Presents specific information from scholarly sources to develop a comprehensive presentation of facts. Uses at least one outside scholarly reference that is relevant, less than 5 years old (use of older references requires instructor permission) and reliable for the required topic.* Uses in-text citation and full reference at end of posting when presenting another person’s thoughts as quotes or paraphrase of information. Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in one of the following elements: Provides evidence of scholarly inquiry relevant to required TD topic(s). Presents specific information from scholarly sources to develop a comprehensive presentation of facts. Uses at least one outside scholarly reference that is relevant, less than 5 years old (use of older references requires instructor permission) and reliable for the required topic.* Uses in-text citation and full reference at end of posting when presenting another person’s thoughts as quotes or paraphrase of information. Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in two of the following elements: Provides evidence of scholarly inquiry relevant to required TD topic(s). Presents specific information from scholarly sources to develop a comprehensive presentation of facts. Uses at least one outside scholarly reference that is relevant, less than 5 years old (use of older references requires instructor permission) and reliable for the required topic.* Uses in-text citation and full reference at end of posting when presenting another person’s thoughts as quotes or paraphrase of information. Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in three or more of the following elements Provides evidence of scholarly inquiry relevant to required TD topic(s). Presents specific information from scholarly sources to develop a comprehensive presentation of facts. Uses at least one outside scholarly reference that is relevant, less than 5 years old (use of older references requires instructor permission) and reliable for the required topic.* Uses in-text citation and full reference at end of posting when presenting another person’s thoughts as quotes or paraphrase of information 16 Points 14 Points 13 Points 11 Points 9 Points 0 Points Application of Course Knowledge Demonstrate the ability to analyze and apply principles, knowledge and information learned in the outside readings and relate them to real-life professional situations Presentation of information was exceptional and included all of the following elements: Applies principles, knowledge and information from scholarly resources to the required topic. Applies facts, principles or concepts learned from scholarly resources to a professional experience. Application of information is comprehensive and specific to the required topic. Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements: Applies principles, knowledge and information from scholarly resources to the required topic. Applies facts, principles or concepts learned from scholarly resources to a professional experience. Application of information is comprehensive and specific to the required topic. Presentation of information was minimally demonstrated in the all of the following elements: Applies principles, knowledge and information from scholarly resources to the required topic. Applies facts, principles or concepts learned from scholarly resources to a professional experience. Application of information is comprehensive and specific to the required topic. Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in one of the following elements: Applies principles, knowledge and information from scholarly resources to the required topic. Applies facts, principles or concepts learned from and scholarly resources to a professional experience. Application of information is comprehensive and specific to the required topic. Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in two of the following elements: Applies principles, knowledge and information from scholarly resources to the required topic. Applies facts, principles or concepts learned from scholarly resources to a professional experience. Application of information is comprehensive and specific to the required topic. Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in three of the following elements Applies principles, knowledge and information and scholarly resources to the required topic. Applies facts, principles or concepts learned scholarly resources to a professional experience. Application of information is comprehensive and specific to the required topic. 10 Points 9 Points 6 Points 0 Points Interactive Dialogue Initial post should be a minimum of 300 words (references do not count toward word count) The peer and instructor responses must be a minimum of 150 words each (references do not count toward word count) Responses are substantive and relate to the topic. Demonstrated all of the following: Initial post must be a minimum of 300 words. The peer and instructor responses must be a minimum of 150 words each. Responses are substantive Responses are related to the topic of discussion. Demonstrated 3 of the following: Initial post must be a minimum of 300 words. The peer and instructor responses must be a minimum of 150 words each. Responses are substantive Responses are related to the topic of discussion. Demonstrated 2 of the following: Initial post must be a minimum of 300 words. The peer and instructor responses must be a minimum of 150 words each. Responses are substantive Responses are related to the topic of discussion. Demonstrated 1 or less of the following: Initial post must be a minimum of 300 words. The peer and instructor responses must be a minimum of 150 words each. Responses are substantive Responses are related to the topic of discussion. 8 Points 7 Points 6 Points 5 Points 4 Points 0 Points Grammar, Syntax, APA Points deducted for improper grammar, syntax and APA style of writing. The source of information is the APA Manual 6th Edition Error is defined to be a unique APA error. Same type of error is only counted as one error. The following was present: 0-3 errors in APA format AND Responses have 0-3 grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors AND Writing style is generally clear, focused on topic,and facilitates communication. The following was present: 4-6 errors in APA format. AND/OR Responses have 4-5 grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors AND/OR Writing style is somewhat focused on topic. The following was present: 7-9 errors in APA format. AND/OR Responses have 6-7 grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors AND/OR Writing style is slightly focused on topic making discussion difficult to understand. The following was present: 10- 12 errors in APA format AND/OR Responses have 8-9 grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors AND/OR Writing style is not focused on topic, making discussion difficult to understand. The following was present: 13 – 15 errors in APA format AND/OR Responses have 8-10 grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors AND/OR Writing style is not focused on topic, making discussion difficult to understand. AND/OR The student continues to make repeated mistakes in any of the above areas after written correction by the instructor. The following was present: 16 to greater errors in APA format. AND/OR Responses have more than 10 grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. AND/OR Writing style does not facilitate communication 0 Points Deducted 5 Points Lost Participation Requirements Demonstrated the following: Initial, peer, and faculty postings were made on 3 separate days Failed to demonstrate the following: Initial, peer, and faculty postings were made on 3 separate days 0 Points Lost 5 Points Lost Due Date Requirements Demonstrated all of the following: The initial posting to the graded threaded discussion topic is posted within the course no later than Wednesday, 11:59 pm MT. A minimum of one peer and one instructor responses are to be posted within the course no later than Sunday, 11:59 pm MT. Demonstrates one or less of the following. The initial posting to the graded threaded discussion topic is posted within the course no later than Wednesday, 11:59 pm MT. A minimum of one peer and one instructor responses are to be posted within the course no later than Sunday, 11:59 pm MT.

02

Turn the brief into deliverables

  1. 01One substance chosen from the list supplied.
  2. 02Routes of administration and the pharmacokinetic consequence of each.
  3. 03Mechanism of action named at receptor or transporter level.
  4. 04Absorption, metabolism, half-life and elimination.
  5. 05Acute and chronic physiological effects by organ system.
  6. 06Withdrawal effects, including whether they are medically dangerous.
  7. 07Two scholarly references beyond the textbook, in APA format.
03

Route, then mechanism, then effects by system

01

The substance and how it is taken

State the routes of administration and what each does to onset and intensity.

What the assessor is likely looking for

A pharmacokinetic consequence attached to a route.

02

Mechanism of action

Name the receptor or transporter and describe what the substance does there.

What the assessor is likely looking for

A named target rather than a general statement about the brain.

03

What the body does to the drug

Cover absorption, distribution, metabolism, half-life and elimination.

What the assessor is likely looking for

A half-life or metabolic pathway with a practical implication.

04

Acute and chronic effects

Give organ-system effects that follow from the mechanism.

What the assessor is likely looking for

An effect explained by the receptor action rather than listed.

05

Withdrawal and its risks

Describe the withdrawal syndrome and whether it is medically dangerous.

What the assessor is likely looking for

A distinction between uncomfortable and life-threatening withdrawal.

04

Where the pharmacology is documented authoritatively

Recommended databases

  • NCBI Bookshelf
  • NIDA
  • MedlinePlus
  • GCU Library

Search sequence

  1. 1.Choose the substance first, then read its pharmacology chapter before drafting.
  2. 2.Confirm the receptor target and the metabolic pathway.
  3. 3.Look up the withdrawal syndrome and its medical management.
  4. 4.Find one peer-reviewed source on the chronic organ effects.
05

Reference shortlist

These are authoritative starting points, not a ready-made bibliography. A qualified reviewer must confirm that each source fits the assignment and supports the claim beside which it is cited.

Substance Use Disorder

StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf · 2023

Review before citing

Substance use disorder, for the clinical framing the pharmacology sits inside.

Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism · 2024

Review before citing

An authoritative account of alcohol's effects, if alcohol is your chosen substance.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine · 2024

Review before citing

A patient-level summary, for checking that your effects descriptions are accurate.

06

Before you submit this paper

Common mistakes

  • Writing about addiction, craving or recovery instead of pharmacology.
  • Describing effects without connecting them to the mechanism.
  • Covering several substances shallowly within the word limit.
  • Omitting withdrawal, which is part of the physiological picture.
  • Treating all withdrawal as equally dangerous.

Submission checklist

  • Are all three required elements present and separately visible?
  • Is a receptor or transporter named?
  • Do the physiological effects follow from that mechanism?
  • Is withdrawal covered, with its medical risk stated?
  • Are there two scholarly sources besides the textbook?

Use this guide to plan and review your own work. Follow your institution's rules and read Brinevia's academic-integrity policy.

Written by

Maren Caldwell

MSN, RN, CNE

Medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology and NCLEX preparation

Maren is a registered nurse with over 15 years of clinical and educational experience in medical-surgical nursing. She writes on NCLEX preparation, patient care fundamentals, pharmacology and evidence-based practice.

Reviewed by

Dr. Tessa Redmond

DNP, RN, CNE

Evidence-based practice and clinical education

Tessa is a doctorally-prepared nurse educator. She reviews Brinevia content for clinical accuracy and alignment with current evidence-based guidelines.

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