SOCI3055A STUDIES IN ADDICTIONS January 9, 2007 Introduction to the Course

Overview  Readings:None  Film:Fix: The Story of an Addicted City

Class Outline  Welcome  What is addiction?  Review course outline  Review assignments  Film

Welcome  Colleen Anne Dell 779 Loeb Building, ext. 2625, Office Hours: Thursday 1:30–2:30, Tuesday 5:00–5:30, & by appointment  Tara Lyons 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, pre- occupation 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

 "[...] 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

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

“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: Causes Consequences Interventions  Examine from 4 standpoints: User Society/culture Service provider Decision/policy maker

 Focus on 4 pillars of Canada’s Renewed Drug Strategy: Harm reduction Treatment Prevention Enforcement

Course outline  server.carleton.ca/~cadell/3055/files07/SOCI _3055A_Course_Outline_w07.pdf server.carleton.ca/~cadell/3055/files07/SOCI _3055A_Course_Outline_w07.pdf

Course assignments  server.carleton.ca/~cadell/3055/files07/0607 _Assignment.pdf server.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?