Transcript SOCI3055A STUDIES IN ADDICTIONS

SOCI3055A
STUDIES IN ADDICTIONS
January 9, 2007
Introduction to the Course
http://http-server.carleton.ca/~cadell/
Overview
 Readings:
 Film:
None
Fix: The Story of an Addicted
City
Class Outline
 Welcome
 What is addiction?
 Review course outline
 Review assignments
 Film
Welcome
 Colleen Anne Dell
[email protected], 779 Loeb Building, 5202600 ext. 2625, Office Hours: Thursday 1:30–2:30,
Tuesday 5:00–5:30, & by appointment
 Tara Lyons
[email protected], 781 Loeb Building, Office
Hours: by appointment
 30 seconds – one interesting fact about yourself,
one reason why you are enrolled in this course
What is addiction?
 A primary, chronic disease, characterised by impaired
control over the use of a psychoactive substance and/or
behaviour. Clinically, the manifestations occur along
biological, psychological, sociological and spiritual
dimensions. Common features are change in mood, relief
from negative emotions, provision of pleasure, preoccupation with the use of substance(s) or ritualistic
behaviour(s); and continued use of the substance(s) and/or
engagement in behaviour(s) despite adverse physical,
psychological and/or social consequences. Like other
chronic diseases, it can be progressive, relapsing and fatal."
Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine. (1999, October 14).
Definitions in addiction medicine. Retrieved August 10, 2006, from
http://www.csam.org/def.htm#991014
 "[...] an unhealthy relationship between a person
and a mood or mind-altering substance, experience,
event or activity, which contributes to life problems
and their recurrence.“
Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. (2000, June). A
biopsychosocial model of addiction (p. 1). Retrieved July
25, 2006, from http://www.afm.mb.ca/pdf/BPS-FINAL.pdf
Dependence
 "[C]an be physical, psychological, or both. Physical
dependence consists of tolerance (needing more of the
substance for the same effect) or tissue dependence (cell
tissue changes so the body needs the substance to stay in
balance). Psychological dependence is when people feel
they need to use the substance in particular situations or to
function effectively. There are degrees of dependence from
mild to compulsive, with the latter being characterized as
addiction."
 BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information. (2006).
What is addiction? Retrieved August 10, 2006, from
http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/factsheets/addiction.shtml
“Just say no…”
 Experimentation
 Dependence
 Addiction
Experience
“This is a story of hope, and how I healed myself of
fear, loneliness, and conflict within my mind, body, and
spirit. Many times I tried to resolve these feelings and
conflicts through the use of alcohol – preferably a bottle
of whisky. But no matter how hard I tried, my problems
just seemed to get larger in scale. I got to a point where I
was not aware of how warped my thinking had become.
The difference between good and bad was a blur and I
no longer understood what was just or unjust. Alcohol
was destroying my life and I did not know it” (Herb
Nabigon, The Hollow Tree, 2006:3).
Studies in addictions
 Focus on problematic alcohol and drug use
 Introduction to concepts and debates
 Focus on:
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Causes
Consequences
Interventions
 Examine from 4 standpoints:
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User
Society/culture
Service provider
Decision/policy maker
 Focus on 4 pillars of Canada’s Renewed Drug
Strategy:
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Harm reduction
Treatment
Prevention
Enforcement
Course outline
 http://httpserver.carleton.ca/~cadell/3055/files07/SOCI
_3055A_Course_Outline_w07.pdf
Course assignments
 http://httpserver.carleton.ca/~cadell/3055/files07/0607_
Assignment.pdf
Film
 What was one thing about ‘addictions’ that
was confirmed for you?
 What was one thing you learned?
 What are the social implications of addiction
for Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside? For
Vancouver city generally?