Psychology of Addiction

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This is an advanced, three credit undergraduate course focused on (1) the neuroscience of addiction; (2) emotional and physical consequences of addiction; (3) societal and sociocultural influences on and outcomes addiction; and (4) treatment of addiction. The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with current knowledge of addiction and its etiopathophysiological origins across the lifespan. We will adopt a transactional perspective, which is infused throughout the class. According to this perspective, addiction cannot be understood as a static, adevelopmental entity. Rather, addiction emerges from complex transactions between biological vulnerabilities (e.g., genetic, neural) and environmental risk factors (e.g., family exposure, deviant peer group affiliations, neighborhood risk) over time. No one plans to become addicted, yet addiction is among the costliest public health concerns facing the U.S. Despite claims that addiction has been destigmatized, traditional conceptualizations that blame character deficiencies such as "weak will" and lack of discipline still permeate our culture. As a result, the U.S. stands alone among Western industrialized nations in the extent to which we stigmatize and criminalize addiction. Rather than treat addiction as a disorder, we incarcerate users, many of whom become felons with limited opportunities for future employment, advanced education, and long-term recovery. Moreover, despite similar rates of both drug use and addiction across racial and cultural groups, large race disparities in arrest rates and sentencing are observed. In this class, we will take a holistic approach to addiction by exploring neurobiological, cultural, and sociopolitical contributors.