These are very much a work in progress, especially the cumulative questions. But you get the idea of what I am looking for with those. I don't how many of these you will have to do. Probably one or two but that's not a promise.

Colleges and Universities throughout the nation currently confront what may be described as a serious problem with alcohol abuse in the form of binge drinking. Think of all the models of addiction that were covered throughout the semester (biological, psychodynamic, behaviorist, social learning, family systems, sociocultural). In your mind, which of these models (or combination of them) best explains the reasons at the root of the problem with exvessive drinking by college students. Please support your answer with information obtained from research presented in class on in the readings. Be as detailed as possible in the application of the relevant theories or models.

Much has been made of the issu of motivation in explaining substance abuse and its treatment. Each of the models covered throughout the semester posited or implied some sort of motivation behind the alcohol and druge use by individuals with such problems. In other words, in each model the abuser seeks to achieve or avoid something. For each of the following models please explain a major motivation bhind the alcohol and drug use: biological model, social-learning model, family systems model, psychodynamic model, sociocultural model. Be as clear as you can and present as much evidence as possible to substantiate your argument.

Most of the models covered throughout the semester tend to be single factor models in the sense that they identify a very specific are within addictions on which they are interested. One could argue, however, that all of these models are partly correct and partly incorrect probably because all of them focus on things that are important and all of them ignore other things that are important. For this question I want you to try to create a new model of addiction which combines in a logical fashion what you think are the best parts of all the other models. Inother words, what aspects of these models still ring true to you after have seen all of them? To what extent are biological factors important? What are the more important non-biological factors? How do you think those two fit together? What does each explain?

How do the social learning and behaviorist models account for biological addiction????

According to your professor and to Peter Nathan in his article "The addictive personality is the behavior of the addict" what is the role of personality in addiction? Also, describe what he suggests is the best predictor of whether a person will develop a problem with addiction.

From what was presented in lecture, briefly describe Rozin and Stoess' research and findings regarding the existence of an addictive personality.

In lecture your professor argued that in order to accept the notion that such thing as an "addictive personality" really exists, research evidence should be able to demonstrate three basic findings. Describe each of these three pre-requisites and what we currently know about each of them based on the available evidence.

Humphreys (Psychotherapy and the 12 step approach for substance abusers: the limits of integration) discussed 5 basic differences in the helping values of 12 step programs versus the approach used by psychotherapists. Describe the most important aspects of each of these conflicts.

 What does Humphreys (Psychotherapy and the 12 step approach for substance abusers: the limits of integration) mean by helping values and hel;ping strategies.

Given what you know about the 12 step movement and philosopy, what are some of the characteristics that may identify individuals who can recover using this approach as opposed to some of the available alternatives.

From what was discussed in class, briefly describe the profile of the alcoholic who would be most likely to benefit from a "controlled drinking" goal in the process of recovery.

What are three basic strategies that can be applied to deal with problems of licitg and illicit substance use and abuse in our society.

Briefly describe the general philosophy behind the Harm Reduction approach. What are the goals behind it?

What are the three basic assumptions underlying the philosophy behind the Harm Reduction approach?

How is the drug user viwed under the Harm Reduction approach? (three basic characteristics).

What are the basic differences between the "Contextual Approach" and the "Cognitive Approach" to Harm Reduction. Please give a good example of each.

Several approaches to drug addiction treatment make use of different medications to help the addict with his or her problem. In class these programs were classified into three broad categories depending to the effect of the treatment drug (the one administered to STOP the addiction). List and describe (using examples) these three types of medication-based approaches or programs.

Recently the use of Naltrexone was approved for the treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence. Explain why a drug that was originally developed for the treatment of opiate addiction seems to work well in the treatment of alcohol problems.

How effective are medication based treatments? What are some of the characteristics of individuals that seem to benefit from them?