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  2. Understanding Addictive Behaviour [ADS5103]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Understanding Addictive Behaviour

  • Unit Code

    ADS5103

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

Description

This unit provides an introduction to the area of alcohol and other drug use, drug-related harm, and the philosophy of harm minimisation. A critical review of major concepts of dependency and addiction is addressed. The unit is based on social-psychological perspectives and a public health view of drug use and drug-related harm.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically discuss the factors which influence the development of beliefs, attitudes and behaviours concerned with psychoactive drug use.
  2. Describe demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction strategies.
  3. Describe the Harm Minimisation approach to addressing drug-use problems.
  4. Discuss and apply the Public Health Model.
  5. Discuss why some people experience harm from their use of psychoactive drugs.
  6. Explain the factors influencing psychoactive drug use and subjective drug-use experiences.
  7. Use theoretical models to categorise problems associated with the use of psychoactive drugs.

Unit Content

  1. Defining characteristics of dependency and addiction.
  2. Demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction strategies.
  3. Formal and informal drug classifications systems.
  4. Overview of the categories and characteristics of psychoactive drugs.
  5. Patterns of drug use and drug-related problems in Australia.
  6. The Public Health Model of drug use and the subjective drug-use experience.
  7. The theoretical rationale and practical implications of harm minimisation.

Additional Learning Experience Information

E-learning course work and activities are provided through MyECU and supported by a tutor.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentEssay20%
AssignmentEssay40%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentEssay20%
AssignmentEssay40%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Ryder, D., Walker, N., & Salmon, A. (2006). Drug use and drug related harm: A delicate balance (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: IP Communications.
  • Rassool, G. (2011). Understanding addiction behaviours: Theoretical and clinical practice in health and social care. UK: Palgrave MacMillan.
  • Moore, D., & Dietze, P. (2008). Drugs and public health: Australian perspectives on policy and practice. South Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press.
  • Julien, R., Advokat, C., & Comaty, J. (2011). A primer of drug action: A comprehensive guide to the actions, uses and side effects of psychoactive drugs (12th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.
  • Hamilton, M., King, T., & Ritter, A. (2004). Drug use in Australia: A harm minimisation approach (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press.
  • Gossop, M. (2007). Living with drugs (6th ed.). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing.
  • Saunders, J., & Rey, J. (2011). Young people and alcohol: Impact, policy, prevention and treatment. West Sussex, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
  • Australian Institute of Health & Welfare. (2011). 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. Canberra: Author.
  • Beatty, S., & Allsop, S. (2009). Reducing drug-related harm: What the evidence tells us. Melbourne, Victoria: IP Communications.
  • Collins, D., & Lapsley, H. (2008). The costs of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug abuse to Australian society in 2004/05. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.
  • Dillon, P. (2009). Teenagers, alcohol and drugs: What your kids really want and need to know about alcohol and drugs. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  • Allsop, S., & Lee, N. (Eds.). (2012). Perspectives on amphetamine-type stimulants. Melbourne, Victoria: IP Communications.

Journal References

  • Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
  • International Journal of Drug Policy
  • Journal of Drug Issues
  • International Journal of Addiction
  • Drug and Alcohol Review
  • Addiction

Website References

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ADS5103|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Understanding Addictive Behaviour

  • Unit Code

    ADS5103

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

Description

This unit provides an introduction to the area of alcohol and other drug use, drug-related harm, and the philosophy of harm minimisation. A critical review of major concepts of dependency and addiction is addressed. The unit is based on social-psychological perspectives and a public health view of drug use and drug-related harm.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically discuss the factors which influence the development of beliefs, attitudes and behaviours concerned with psychoactive drug use.
  2. Describe demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction strategies.
  3. Describe the Harm Minimisation approach to addressing drug-use problems.
  4. Discuss and apply the Public Health Model.
  5. Discuss why some people experience harm from their use of psychoactive drugs.
  6. Explain the factors influencing psychoactive drug use and subjective drug-use experiences.
  7. Use theoretical models to categorise problems associated with the use of psychoactive drugs.

Unit Content

  1. Defining characteristics of dependency and addiction.
  2. Demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction strategies.
  3. Formal and informal drug classifications systems.
  4. Overview of the categories and characteristics of psychoactive drugs.
  5. Patterns of drug use and drug-related problems in Australia.
  6. The Public Health Model of drug use and the subjective drug-use experience.
  7. The theoretical rationale and practical implications of harm minimisation.

Additional Learning Experience Information

E-learning course work and activities are provided through MyECU and supported by a tutor.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentEssay20%
AssignmentEssay40%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentEssay20%
AssignmentEssay40%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Ryder, D., Walker, N., & Salmon, A. (2006). Drug use and drug related harm: A delicate balance (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: IP Communications.
  • Rassool, G. (2011). Understanding addiction behaviours: Theoretical and clinical practice in health and social care. UK: Palgrave MacMillan.
  • Moore, D., & Dietze, P. (2008). Drugs and public health: Australian perspectives on policy and practice. South Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press.
  • Julien, R., Advokat, C., & Comaty, J. (2011). A primer of drug action: A comprehensive guide to the actions, uses and side effects of psychoactive drugs (12th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.
  • Hamilton, M., King, T., & Ritter, A. (2004). Drug use in Australia: A harm minimisation approach (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press.
  • Gossop, M. (2007). Living with drugs (6th ed.). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing.
  • Saunders, J., & Rey, J. (2011). Young people and alcohol: Impact, policy, prevention and treatment. West Sussex, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
  • Australian Institute of Health & Welfare. (2011). 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. Canberra: Author.
  • Beatty, S., & Allsop, S. (2009). Reducing drug-related harm: What the evidence tells us. Melbourne, Victoria: IP Communications.
  • Collins, D., & Lapsley, H. (2008). The costs of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug abuse to Australian society in 2004/05. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.
  • Dillon, P. (2009). Teenagers, alcohol and drugs: What your kids really want and need to know about alcohol and drugs. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  • Allsop, S., & Lee, N. (Eds.). (2012). Perspectives on amphetamine-type stimulants. Melbourne, Victoria: IP Communications.

Journal References

  • Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
  • International Journal of Drug Policy
  • Journal of Drug Issues
  • International Journal of Addiction
  • Drug and Alcohol Review
  • Addiction

Website References

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ADS5103|1|2