University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: USPJE7-20-3 Title: PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTION Version: 3
Level: 3 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field: Psychology
Valid from: September 2003 Discontinued from:
Pre-requisites: USPJDE-20-2 Health Psychology and Psychophysiology
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
• Demonstrate an understanding of the aetiology and historical perspective of addictive behaviours.
• Critically evaluate the current models of addiction
• Apply these models to eating, gambling and excessive exercise behaviours
• Evaluate 'control' in the context of addiction
• Appreciate the biopsychosocial nature of addictive behaviours
• Evaluate the contributions made by the various treatment models to our understanding of behaviour change and relapse.
Syllabus outline:
Socialisation Versus the Disease Model
An historical approach to the development of the disease model of addiction. The Temperance movement, drug prohibition, smoking acceptability and the onset of the Western period of decadence. Genetic predisposition. Social learning theory as part of the socialisation perspective. Sociopolitical view of addiction.
Models of Addiction
Classical conditioning, cue exposure, relapse prevention, situational models, self-efficacy theory, Stages theory (Prochaska and Di Clemente, 1982), Abstinence-restraint theory and disinhibition.
Drug Use, Misuse and Abuse
Definitions of 'use misuse and 'abuse'. Psychosocial and psychophysiological causes. Epidemiology, prevalence, consequences, (drugs and HIV; from cannabis to opiates.) Smoking as the acceptable face of addiction. Alcohol is it physiological or psychological addiction?
Are there distinct differences for women and adolescents who are involved with addictive behaviours? Exploring our own attitudes and beliefs about addiction.
Eating Disorders (anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating), Excessive Exercising, Gambling
Are they addictions or obsessive-compulsive disorders? How do the models of addiction relate to eating, exercise and gambling?
Cessation and Treatment interventions
Controlled behaviour versus total abstinence. The AA, NA, GA and EA perspective, its problems, dangers and successes. Minnesota model (12 Step). Current theories of intervention to promote complete withdrawal and the prevention of relapse. Motivational interviewing. Cognitive-behavioural therapy. Psychodynamic, humanistic perspectives. Issues of codependency.
Teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, seminars and workshops.
Reading Strategy
All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.
This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on UWEonline or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.
Bonner A., and Waterhouse J. (1996) Addictive Behaviour: Molecules to Mankind.
Davies J. (2000) The Myth of Addiction.
Donaldson S I, Graham J W & Hansen W B (1994) Testing the generalisability of intervening mechanism theories: understanding the effects of adolescent drug use prevention interventions Journal of Behavioural Medicine 17, 2, 195-216
Doweiko H (1993) Concepts of Chemical Dependency Brooks/Cole
Fields R (1992) Drugs and Alcohol in Perspective W C Brown
Goldstein A (1993) Addiction, from Biology to Drug Policy Freeman & Co
Gossop M. (2000) Living with Drugs 5th Edition. Ashgate.
Jarvis T.J., Tebutt J., Mattick R.P (1995) Treatment Approaches for Alcohol and Drug Dependence. An Introductory Guide. J.Wiley
Miller W R (1989) The Addictive Behaviours Pergamon Press
Orford J (1990) Excessive appetites. A psychological view of Addictions J Wiley
Petersen T., (2002) Working with Substance Misusers.
Plant M & Plant M (1992) Risk Takers. Alcohol, Drugs, Sex and Youth Routledge
Trends in Pharmacological Science (May 1992) Neurobiological perspectives on drugs of abuse 13, 169-219 Elsevier
Washton A.M. (1995) Psychotherapy and Substance Abuse. Guildford Press.
Articles from the following journals will be recommended for additional reading and to support their critique:
Addiction
Addictive Behaviours
Br.J.Addiction
Br.J.Clin Psychol
Br.J.Psychiatry
Health Education Journal
Health Education Research
J. Counselling and Clinical Psychology
J.Health and Social Behav.
J.Substance Abuse
Socia; Science and Medicine.
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 40% B: 60%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A Element weighting
TE |
Timed Essay |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
SM1 |
Seminar Presentation |
5 |
BR |
Critique of Research Paper Presented |
7 |
|
| |
|
|
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes) No
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
TE |
Timed Essay |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
CW1 |
Critique of Novel/New Research Paper |
1 |
BR |
Critique of Research Paper |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes. Yes
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)