Rutgers University
Drugs, Culture & Society
Syllabus
832:350: 90
Winter 2014/15 12/23/14-1/16/15
Alexandra Lopez, MA, LCADC, SAC, DRCC, CPS, CCS
Email: alexopez@rci.rutgers.edu
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Civic Square Building
33 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Course Overview
This course is designed to examine historical, societal, psychological, behavioral and familial perspectives of
substance use, abuse and dependence. Socio-political perspectives will be explored while students also discuss
global implications of the current trends in sensationalization of both legal and illegal drugs in our society.
Students will also have the opportunity to examine the Disease Model of Addiction with a review of the current
focus on behavioral addictions (Gambling, Gaming, Eating Disorders etc.). This course will present legal and
political implications of drug use and abuse with discussions on recent changes in state and federal laws. Topics
of discussion will also include worldview, spiritualty, cultural implications of substance use, the pharmacology
and physiology of mood altering substances, historical and current treatment options and traditional and
alternative uses of substances in global culture. Classes will consist of a combination of on line lecture, film, on
line discussion, weekly journals and relevant readings.
COURSE OBJECTIVES include, but are not limited to, the following
1. Students will identify and describe the history of drugs from a historical perspective. Students will
demonstrate an understanding of the social progression from moral disposition to todays understanding of
addiction as a disease of the brain.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the concept of worldview and culture and its impact on social
and political stigma related to addiction.
3. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the disease concept and etiology of addictions and addictive
behaviors to include the impact of co-occurring substance use disorders on medical and psychological
disorders and the potential for substance use disorders to mimic and coexist with medical and psychological
disorders.
4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of substances of abuse
including new trends and substances.
5. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of family, social networks, and community
systems in the treatment of substance use disorders.
6. Students will demonstrate knowledge of process addictions including but not limited to eating disorders,
gambling, shopping, hoarding, sex, gaming and technology and the prevalence of these conditions in our
society.
7. Students will demonstrate an understating of the global impact of addiction including social, political and
financial concerns in our society and abroad.
8. Students will demonstrate the ability to assess an individual’s stage of use and abuse, change, or recovery
based on the holistic interpretation of the disease.
9. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the alternative uses, including medicinal, philosophical and
cultural practices in various cultures.
Drugs, Culture & Society
832:350:90 Winter 2014/15 E College
Alexandra Lopez, MA, LCADC, SAC, DRCC, CPS, CCS,BCPC
Page 1 of 7
Required Course Text:
Sheff, D. (2008). beautiful boy. A fathers journey through his sons addiction. New York: Mariner Books,
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Suggested Reading:
Sheff, N. (2008). Tweak: Growing up on methamphetamines. New York: Atheneum Books for Young
Readers.
Course Policies
 Confidentiality: Due to the focus of this course, students may share their personal experiences. This
information is sensitive and should not be repeated outside of this class.
 Our academic environment is designed for learning, so remember to keep an open mind.
 Every assignment is due on the specified date listed in the syllabus. No late assignments will be
accepted.
 Students must comply with all university standards on academic conduct (see attached Statement of
Academic Integrity).
 Written assignments must be submitted using 12- point font and typed double-spaced. Papers are
expected to be edited prior to submission. Points will be deducted if a student fails to edit a submission.
On Line Course Expectations and Grading:
Grading for this course will be based upon review of weekly discussion and journal submissions delineated
in the syllabus and on e–college.
Final Paper:
Weekly Journals:
On Line Discussions/Participation:

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



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50%
40%
10%
There will be a Final Paper Submission for this course that will be graded as the Final Exam. This
paper/ final will be due on Thursday January 15th 2015. This paper will be worth 40% of your
grade.
You will be expected to read 1 book for this course: beautiful boy
You will be expected to submit 1journal entry per week except for the last week of the class. These
entries will be submitted on- line. Themes, topics and discussions will be listed on our e college
class site and available on the syllabus.
In order to keep up with the course expectations, you will need to read the text daily and also check
on line daily as new readings and discussions will be posted for review and discussion. 10% of your
grade will be based upon on-line discussion. There is one discussion topic per week that is posted
on e- college.
There will be a number of additional on- line video links & articles that you will be expected to
keep up with during the very short semester. All on- line video links are mandatory!
You must watch 1 episode of Hoarders and 1 episode of Intervention on A&E for the semester.
Discussion of the episode should be included in the final paper.
Movies listed are suggested; but please note that they are highly recommended!
The HBO Film “Thin” is not a suggested film. This documentary must be viewed and is listed as an
assignment.
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Drugs, Culture & Society
832:350:90 Winter 2014/15 E College
Alexandra Lopez, MA, LCADC, SAC, DRCC, CPS, CCS,BCPC
Page 2 of 7
Assignments & Weekly Expectations
1. “Title Themes” of Addiction for Weekly Journal Assignments 40%
All journal entries, assignments and readings are to be completed and submitted by the Sunday prior to the next
scheduled syllabus week. How you will be graded will be based on your on time submission and the content of
the weekly journal. The following themes are the themes that will be accepted and expected as the “Title
Themes” of your weekly entries. You must choose from this list. You cannot duplicate “Title Themes” from
one week to another; however, you can write about more than one group in your entries and you can reflect
more than once on a theme as you see fit. You should read all units and include reference to the on line lecture
and any additional readings in your journal. You will be expected to reflect upon your reading of the each text ,
Tweak and Beautiful Boy.. More importantly though, I will be looking for your personal opinion in the entries!
On Line Weekly Journal: “Title Themes” of Addiction: Choose from any themes on this list /Do not repeat!
 Denial/Loss of Control
 Shame/Guilt
 Grandiosity/Manipulation
 Anger/Resentment/Loss
 Hopelessness/Despair
 Blame/Regret
 Honesty/Truth
 Forgiveness/Letting Go
 Love/Spirituality
 Journal entries are graded 1-10:
 10 is perfect
 9 is excellent
 8 is good
 Anything below and 8 needs improvement: Comments will be included for you each week
 A sample “10” is included for you on line
 Journal submissions must be posted in the “journal” tab on e college
Reading: Beautiful Boy
You will be expected to keep up with the fast paced reading of Beautiful Boy.
The book TWEAK is a suggested reading only.
TWEAK is Nic’s story; It is told from the perspective of a daily journal. Since the publishing of this
book, Nic has gone on to publish a new book “We All Fall Down”, and has also faced a number of new
challenges.
David has also published a new book “Clean”. I challenge you to do your research and seek out new
information on Nic’s life today.
2. Final Paper and Exam Grade: 50%
Your final paper will be a written formal discussion on the Disease of Addiction and as you have learned to
interpret the concept. You should use personal opinion as well as examples from readings and other resources
throughout the semester. The paper should be no longer than 5-6 pages in length, 12- point font- double spaced.
Please EDIT all papers for spelling and grammar prior to submission.
Drugs, Culture & Society
832:350:90 Winter 2014/15 E College
Alexandra Lopez, MA, LCADC, SAC, DRCC, CPS, CCS,BCPC
Page 3 of 7
Include in the discussion:
o Myths and Social Implications of Addiction
o Discussion on your understanding of the Disease Model of Addiction
o The impact of addiction on the Family
o The influence of Culture/Worldview on your perspective of drug use and addiction
o Spirituality and Recovery
3. Weekly Discussions and Class Participation: 10%
Students will be expected to submit weekly posts in the discussion board on e –college. Each weeks topic will
be based upon the Unit and Items within the Units. Your responses/posts are opinions and interpretations based
upon your reading and life experience. Discussions must be posted by the Friday (midnight) of each week –
except for the first week when it will be due on Sunday evening!
_________________________________________
The following week –by- week syllabus will list the class expectations. The additional readings and videos can
be found on line in the webliography on e- college. Any additional readings or added articles of interest will
be added in announcements on the e college course site… any changes will also be listed! Please note that this
syllabus is subject to change.
Week 1:
December 23-26h 2014
Introduction to Drugs, Culture and Society
Expected Text Reading: beautiful boy pg. 1-72
Topics to be reviewed:
 What is addiction? History
 Common myths about addiction
 Personal bias: Your Worldview
 Introduction of common themes in the disease of addiction (Note: listed in syllabus above)
Additional Readings:
All additional readings and resources are listed on e college webliography for this course with week due listed
to the right of the page. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the webliography as some of the articles
are out of order.
Please note*** With all HBO links, please read the full article, then click on the respective short videos on the
right hand side that goes with each article
On Line Discussion Week 1: Should be completed before midnight on Sunday December 28, 2014 (Usually
due on Friday evenings, but as a result of the Holiday, I will extend the due date this week )
Journal 1 Entries to be submitted: Themes of Addiction: Journal Entry 1 Due Sunday December 28, 2014
Sample journal entry will be available on line in the course overview.
Watch: Russell Brand: Addiction on line /YOUTUBE
Drugs, Culture & Society
832:350:90 Winter 2014/15 E College
Alexandra Lopez, MA, LCADC, SAC, DRCC, CPS, CCS,BCPC
Page 4 of 7
Week 2:
December 29, 2014 -January 2, 2015
Is Addiction a Disease?
Expected Text Reading: beautiful boy pg. 73-161
Topics To Be Reviewed:
 The Disease of Addiction
 Addiction & The Brain
 Addiction as a Diagnosis
 Process/Behavioral Addictions
Additional Readings and Videos:
All additional readings and videos for week 2 are listed on line in the e college webliography
On Line Discussion Week 2 : Discussion posts are due no later than Friday January 2, 2015 before midnight
Journal 2 Entries to be submitted:
Journal Entry Submission 2 Due no later than Sunday January 4, 2015
Watch:: “HBO Documentary: Thin” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZm2g9FLrGA
This Documentary can be seen on You Tube in 11 parts
Week 3:
January 5- January 9, 2015
Addiction & the Family
Expected Text Reading: beautiful boy pg. 162-250
Topics To Be Reviewed:
 The Impact of Addiction on the Family
 Codependency and Addiction
 Children of Alcoholics and the “Dysfunctional Family”
 Family Roles
 Special Discussion: Adolescents & Addiction
Additional Readings:
All additional readings and videos can be found in the webliography on e college
On Line Discussion Week 3: Due Friday January 9, 2015
Should parents just “let go” when an addicted child will not listen? Should parents use a “tough love” approach
– and, how do you think you would handle Nic if you were his father?
Journal Entries Week 3:
Journal Entry Submission 3 Due no later than Sunday January 11, 2015
Drugs, Culture & Society
832:350:90 Winter 2014/15 E College
Alexandra Lopez, MA, LCADC, SAC, DRCC, CPS, CCS,BCPC
Page 5 of 7
Suggested Movies: “Rachel Getting Married”
Week 4: Final Week
January 12- January 16, 2015
Current Trends in Addictions
Expected Text Reading: beautiful boy pg. 250-end
Topics To Be Reviewed:
 Current Trends in Addictions: Sensationalization of Addiction in America
o Painkillers: Opiates
o On line Social Networking: The FACEBOOK Epidemic
 Co-Occurring Disorders
 Spirituality in Addiction and Recovery
Additional Readings/Assignment
All Additional readings and links to videos can be found on e-college in the webliography
The FACEBOOK Experiment: This week you will be challenged to stay off of FACEBOOK for an entire
week. This means, no access whatsoever! It is important that as we take on current trends, we do not overlook
some of our own “addictions”. On line social networking has fast become a nation- wide addiction. Let’s see
how difficult it is for you to stay off line for a week or even a day … please make sure you include your
experience in your weekly journal. More information to come on E college!
On Line Discussion Week 4: DUE BEFORE JANUARY 16TH /MIDNIGHT

NO JOURNAL ENTRY DUE THIS WEEK!!!
 FINAL PAPER DUE JANUARY 15, 2015
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Office Hours:
Office hours available by appointment. Office hours will be held at the
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Civic Square Building,
33 Livingston Avenue,
New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Grade Range:
Letter % Range
A
90-100%
B+
88-90%
B
80-87%
C+
78-80%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
<60%
Academic Integrity
Drugs, Culture & Society
832:350:90 Winter 2014/15 E College
Alexandra Lopez, MA, LCADC, SAC, DRCC, CPS, CCS,BCPC
Page 6 of 7
Academic integrity is essential to the success of the educational enterprise and breaches of academic integrity constitute
serious offenses against the academic community. Every member of that community bears a responsibility for ensuring
that the highest standards of academic integrity are upheld. Only through a genuine partnership among students, faculty,
staff, and administrators will the University be able to maintain the necessary commitment to academic integrity.
The University administration is responsible for making academic integrity an institutional priority and for providing
students and faculty with effective educational programs and support services to help them fully understand and address
issues of academic integrity. The administration is also responsible for working with other members of the academic
community to establish equitable and effective procedures to deal with violations of academic integrity.
The faculty shares the responsibility for educating students about the importance and principles of academic integrity.
Individual faculty members are also responsible for informing students of the particular expectations regarding academic
integrity within individual courses, including permissible limits of student collaboration and, where relevant, acceptable
citation format. Finally, all members of the faculty should report all violations of academic integrity they encounter.
Students are responsible for understanding the principles of academic integrity fully and abiding by them in all their work
at the University. Students are also encouraged to report alleged violations of academic integrity to the faculty member
teaching the course in which the violation is alleged to have occurred.
All members of our community must be confident that each person's work has been responsibly and honorably acquired,
developed, and presented. Any effort to gain advantage not given to all students is dishonest, whether or not the effort is
successful. A violation of academic honesty is a breach of trust, and will result in penalties, including possible suspension
or expulsion. When in doubt about plagiarism, paraphrasing, quoting, or collaboration, consult the course instructors.
For additional information, go to: http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/students.shtml
Accessibility:
Rutgers University welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University's educational programs. In
order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, a student with a disability must contact the
appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake
interview, and provide documentation:
https://ods.rutgers.edu/students/documentation-guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for
reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services office will provide you with a Letter of
Accommodations. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as
early in your courses as possible.
To begin this process, please complete the
https://ods.rutgers.edu/students/registration-form."
Drugs, Culture & Society
832:350:90 Winter 2014/15 E College
Registration
form
on
the
ODS
web
site
Alexandra Lopez, MA, LCADC, SAC, DRCC, CPS, CCS,BCPC
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at: