Assignment: Controlled Drug Use: Is Addiction a Disease?

One of the more controversial issues related to the substance-related disorders is whether or not someone with a substance-related disorder can ever learn to keep his or her drug or alcohol use under control. A related issue is whether or not an individual with a substance-related disorder has a disease, which is the position of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). In this week’s Assignment, you will address each of these controversial issues.

To prepare for this Assignment:

• Review the Learning Resources on substance-related disorders, including the articles by Bujarski, O’Malley, Lunny, & Ray (2013) and Koerkel (2006).
• Consider your thoughts on twocontroversial issues introduced in the Learning Resources: (1) whether or not someone with a substance-related disorder can engage in controlled drug use, and (2) whether or not someone with a substance-related disorder has a disease.

The Assignment (2–3 pages):

• Analyze these controversial issues, based on your own experiences as well as your review of this week’s required Learning Resources. In your Assignment, do the following:

  • Present an argument for your stance with respect to the first controversial issue regarding substance-related disorders: Is it possible for individuals with substance-related disorders, such as those who abuse alcohol, to moderate their use instead of taking the abstinence approach to treatment? Support your argument with evidence from this week’s required Learning Resources.

  • Present an argument for your stance with respect to the second controversial issue—namely, is a substance-related disorder a disease? Again, support your argument with evidence from this week’s required Learning Resources.

Assignment: Controlled Drug Use: Is Addiction a Disease?

Files

Sample 3 PSYC3004