Critical Analysis of Contemporary Addictions issue

The final project for this course consists of a critical analysis that addresses a contemporary issue in addictions related to a substance or behavior, based on traditional models and theories of addiction. This analysis will demonstrate your ability to integrate scholarly research with addiction theory. Ideally, the issue selected should be professionally interesting and meaningful to you, and it should be directly applicable to the critical elements listed in the prompt. You will evaluate the issue using research in peer-reviewed psychology journals, as well as addictions- and health-related journals, to evaluate claims regarding the validity, reliability, ethics, and broader implications of the issue from multiple perspectives and stakeholders. 

For example, consider that a current issue in the field of addictions is the impact of methamphetamine. Your analysis could focus on how this substance has challenged society on every level, ranging from medicine to law enforcement, and it is challenging traditional and current models of addictions. The power of this substance may actually be providing a link that may unlock the age-old debate of the nature of addiction, moral versus medical. 

The project is divided into four milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Three, Four, and Five. The final project will be submitted in Module Seven.

In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

1.Analyze the impact of a contemporary issue in addictions, related to a substance or behavior, on traditional models and theories of addiction

2.Differentiate between behavioral or process addictions and social norms

3.Assess the utility of traditional and current addictions treatment approaches for working with diverse populations

4.Analyze the harm-reduction approach within the context of the neuroscience of addiction and current treatment models

5.Evaluate current research regarding the effectiveness of peer-based addiction treatment programs

Given what you have learned through your research, how has your topic impacted the field of addictions? Consider theory, treatment, and social and political impacts. What would you advocate for with regard to your selected issue based on the evidence in peer-reviewed journals?

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed: 

I. First, select an addictive substance that is either illegal or has been reclassified as legal at some point in the last decade.

1. Describe Your Issue a. Describe a contemporary problem that is the focus of your analysis with full details with respect to your selected substance or behavior.

2. Differentiate Behavioral, or Process, Addictions and Social Norms for Their Applicability to Your Issue

a. Explain major types of behavioral, or process, addictions that are commonly discussed in the field of addictions and discuss their applicability to this issue.

b. Explain social norms that are commonly discussed in the field of addictions and discuss their applicability to this issue.

3. Explain the Impact a. Explain the impact of this issue with respect to traditional models and theories of addiction.

II. In this section of your analysis, you will investigate treatment approaches for addiction treatment and discuss their applicability to your issue.

4. Analyze the Approaches

a. Analyze peer-based approaches in terms of the neuroscience of addiction and treatment models and applicability to your issue.

b. Analyze harm-reduction approaches in terms of the neuroscience of addiction and treatment models and applicability to your issue.

5. Utility of Traditional and Current Treatment Approaches to Diverse Populations a. Assess the utility of traditional treatment approaches for working with diverse populations. How might they be applicable to this issue? b. Assess the utility of current treatment approaches for working with diverse populations. How might these approaches be applicable to this issue?

6. Recommendations a. What recommendations do you have for addiction treatment programs specific to the behavior or substance issue, given your evaluation of current research?

b. Evaluate the effectiveness of these recommendations as qualified by the current research. This is where you may also want to discuss why this evidence more compelling to you than evidence that may contradict your recommendations.