School Of Social Sciences And PsychologyDrugs, Addiction and SocietyWestern Sydney University Unit Code: 101319.2
Discipline: OTHER HEALTH
Student Contribution Band: 2
Level: 2
Credit Points: 10
Equivalent Units
25033 - Dependency & Co-dependency in Health Care, C3424 - Drug and Alcohol Studies
Unit Enrolment Restrictions
Successful completion of 40 credit points.
About this Unit
The use of alcohol and other drugs is a highly controversial issue within the community. Most people use drugs of some kind yet particular drugs are demonised. This unit acquaints students with the complexity of studying alcohol and drug misuse from both an individual and a social perspective. Contemporary patterns of alcohol and drug use are initially placed within a structural, cultural and historical perspective and various conflicting approaches to the definition and consequent management of problematic drug use and drug dependence are studied. Distinctions among the various levels of problematic use are introduced and questions of basic pharmacology motivations for drug use and theories of dependence are examined.This subject aims to explore the discourses surrounding drugs as well as the reasons for drug use and forms of dependence. Students will also critically examine different kinds of policy and therapeutic practice within the drug field.