Addiction Experience Guidelines
Select one of the three options below. Answer the corresponding prompt for your selected option in a 3-5 page paper (double-spaced, 1-inch margins, Times New Roman 12-point font). Points will be deducted for spelling and grammar errors as well as inconsistent formatting.
Option 1: Addiction Simulation Exercise. This is an active learning exercised aimed at simulating the biopsychosocial dynamics of addiction (though nowhere near the reality of addiction). Instructions for this exercise are located on page 20.
In your paper, provide a brief summary of the experience. Discuss your reactions to the exercise. What were your thoughts entering the exercise? What were your thoughts during the exercise? How did your perception of the addiction experience change (or stay the same) as a result of this simulation? What was easy about the exercise? What was hard about the exercise? Summarize what you learned about substance use disorders and addiction.
Option 2: Self-Help Meetings. You will attend two, open 12-step meetings (in-person or virtually via Zoom). Make sure you go to an open meeting. There is a link in the “Course Introduction” module on Canvas to search for meetings in your area (these meetings do not have to be in Hattiesburg).
In your paper, provide an overview of the meetings (e.g., what were the topics? How was it structured? What were the stories shared?). Discuss your reaction to the meeting and experience attending the meeting. What were your expectations? Assumptions? How did these change (or not change) as a result of attending the meetings? Summarize what you learned from this experience of attending the meetings.
Option 3: The Pharmacist. You will watch the 4-episode Netflix documentary called The Pharmacist which discusses topics relevant to this course (e.g., crack cocaine addiction, the opioid epidemic).
In your paper, provide a brief overview of what you learned from the documentary. Then, address the following questions: What surprised you? What was consistent with what you have learned in this course? Inconsistent? What assumptions did you have about the opioid epidemic prior to watching the series? How did these change (or stay the same) throughout watching the series? Summarize what you learned about the intersection of addiction and society from the documentary. This paper should demonstrate critical thinking about the documentary content, rather than simply retell the documentary story.
