Drugs, Culture & Society
Fall 2013
832:350:Section 03
Saturday 9:00 AM-12:00PM
Beck 201
Alexandra Lopez, MA, LCADC, SAC, CPS, CCS, ICCS
Email: alexopez@rci.rutgers.edu
 (Syllabus should be viewed in Landscape Orientation)
Course Overview
This course is designed to explore the relevant and historical impact of drugs on society. Students will examine historical, societal, psychological,
behavioral and familial perspectives of substance use and abuse. Social and global and personal implications will be presented and discussed with a
focus on current trends and process addictions. Topics of review and exploration will also include culture and chemical use, pharmacology and
physiology of mood altering substances, historical and current treatment options, and the journey through relapse and recovery. Trending subject
matter will include the sensationalization of drugs and addiction by the media as well as health care reform and the impact of policy and legislation on
prevention, intervention and recovery. Class will consist of class lecture, discussion, guest lecture, relevant reading and videos and interactive class
presentations. Students will also participate in on line discussions with peers.
Required Texts
Sheff, N. (2008). Tweak: Growing up on methamphetamines. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Sheff, D. (2008). beautiful boy. A fathers journey through his sons addiction. New York: Mariner Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
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.
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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 dependence, change, or recovery based on an holistic interpretation of the
disease.
9. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the alternative uses, including medicinal, philosophical and cultural practices in various cultures.
Course Policies
 Confidentiality: Due to the nature and subject matter of this course, students may share their personal experiences. This information is private
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 unless approved by the instructor in
advance of the deadline. Approved late assignments will receive an automatic one half-grade deduction.
 This class depends heavily on student interaction and participation. Students are expected to attend class regularly and be active participants in
discussions and lectures. Attendance will be taken at every class. After one absence (excused or not), each successive missed class will effect
the students overall participation grade.
 University Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend all classes; if you expect to miss one or two classes, please use the University
absence reporting website https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/ to indicate the date and reason for your absence. An email is automatically sent to me.
Excused absences will be at the discretion of the instructor and must be reported prior to the class start time. In order for lateness to be
excused, the instructor must receive notification via text or smartphone message. Persistent lateness will be cause for course grade deduction.
*Excused absences must be reported on line and to the instructor prior to the start of class. Students are entitled to two excused absences per
semester. After 2 absences, your final grade will be affected.
 Students must comply with all university standards on academic conduct (see attached Statement of Academic Integrity)
 Cell phones must be turned off during class.
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


Laptops are permitted for taking notes and looking up course-related material. All other uses (instant messaging, games, Social Networking,
web surfing, etc.) will result in having to turn off your computer. Second offenses will result in barring your computer from the classroom.
Written assignments must be submitted using 12 -point font and typed double- spaced. Papers must be submitted in a PC compatible format
that can be read and opened by the instructor. All papers must be submitted via the SAKAI assignment drop box on the date they are due.
Communication between scheduled class dates and times will be done via e-mail and on SAKAI Announcements. Students are responsible for
checking e- mail and SAKAI regularly. I can be reached via e-mail at alexopez@rci.rutgers.edu or at alexvlopez@yahoo.com.
Understanding the Syllabus:
 The syllabus should be read prior to the start of the course! The syllabus should be your guide to the semester; however,
because of the “sensitivity” and “complexity” of many of the topics, class time will often be taken up by discussion, case studies and related
topics. As a result, we may go “off topic” or we may not achieve the expected goal for the date on the syllabus. Be advised that you will still be
responsible for the reading – and I will work to be sure to cover all topics on the syllabus within the next week. Explanation and expectations
for all assignments are listed in this syllabus!!
 All Readings should be done prior to class and are listed in the syllabus by week. Students are expected to be prepared to participate in class
discussions based on articles, videos and lectures. Class discussion on readings/videos will count towards your class participation grade. Copies
of articles will not be provided unless they are listed in the 4th column of the syllabus.
 All links to the Additional Links/Readings/ Videos (5th Column) are on the SAKAI course site under Resources. All readings are to be done
on your own time and should not be done during class time. The Course PowerPoint (The Disease of Addiction) can be found under the class
resources on SAKAI.
 Additional articles, readings, etc. are encouraged and welcomed! If you find something of interest, please share it with me via e mail and I will
share it with the class and you will be given full credit for your find!
 Movies and Videos in column 4 will be shown in class during class time. Any videos in Column 5 are the responsibility of the student. If you
have no access to renting or borrowing these films, please see me. If you miss a class when a film is shown, you are responsible for viewing the
film on your own time. The films will be an integral part of class discussions and the final exam.
 All Handouts listed in column 4 are on SAKAI. If you miss a class, or misplace a handout, it is your responsibility to print out and review the
handout on your own time. Questions on missed material are welcomed and encouraged as long as the reading has been completed.
 The TV Series Hoarders and Intervention : These are your responsibility and should be watched on your own time!. Links are available on
SAKAI. You must watch one episode, of either show per week (can be older episodes).
 The exam review is scheduled during class time listed on the calendar. Because the review is scheduled during class time, all students are
expected to be present. If you miss the exam review, there will be no alternate times/options for the review. (Individual cases with emergency
excuses only can be discussed privately with the instructor).
 You are expected to keep up with the reading of both primary texts. Beautiful Boy should be read before TWEAK. You can read ahead –
however, you should be careful to not confuse the themes and assignments listed for the second half of the semester. Please note that you are
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
encouraged to read ahead on any additional articles/links, (column 5). This will keep you updated and prepared throughout the semester.
Many of the readings and the videos are short – so use your time wisely and efficiently!
On line assignments/discussions will be announced in class and will count towards your participation. They must be completed during the
scheduled time announced by the instructor.
Section 04 Saturday Spring 2013 Calendar
Date
General Topic
Specific Topic
Text/Film/ Assignment

9/7

Course Goals & Objectives 

Introduction of Addiction &

Worldview

Course Overview
Additional Reading
Overview of Course Expectations/Syllabus Review
Explanation of Assignments
Handout: Worldview
Introduction of Texts
Introduction of Themes of Addiction
Film: Russell Brand Addiction
Defining Your Worldview/Addiction
Begin Text
beautiful boy pg. 1-65
9/14
Addiction Defined: History, 

Myths, New Directions



9/28
Etiology & Pharmacology of
Abuse
Definition of Addiction: History, Stigma & Myths
Introduction of the Disease Model of Addiction
Reading: beautiful boy 66-121
Discussion of Signs, Symptoms of Addiction
Intro : Bio psycho-social-spiritual Model of
Addiction
Assignment of In Class Oral Presentations



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Reading: beautiful boy 121-182
Alexandra Lopez, MA, LCADC, SAC, CPS, CCS, ICCS
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HBO What is
Addiction?/&
HBO Giving up on yourself
Video
 Understanding Addiction:
A Chronic Condition
 The Role of Worldviews
in Health Disparities
Education
On Going Assignment :
Hoarders & Intervention
 HBO: Understanding
Addiction: Addiction &
the Brain
 Genetics is an Important
Part of Addiction
 Brain Regions Tied to
Addictive Choices ID’d
 Addiction and the Brains
Pleasure Pathway …
On Going Assignment :
Hoarders & Intervention
 Terence Gorski: The
Disease Model of
Addiction
 Mouse Party : Check it out
The Stages of Addiction
Addiction: A Brain Disease
Physiological & Psychological Effects of Substances
In Class Presentations

On Going Assignment :
Hoarders & Intervention
10/5
Pharmacology of Abuse Cont. 
Physiological & Psychological Effects of Substances
In Class Presentations Continued
Reading: beautiful boy 183-250
10/12 Addiction & the Family



The Impact of Addiction on the Family
Family Roles
The Elephant in the Living Room: Living With
Addiction
Film: Rachel Getting Married
Reading: beautiful boy 251-317 (end)
Film & Discussion
10/19 Addiction & the Family,
Cont’d


Film Cont. Rachel Getting Married
New text
Reading: TWEAK 1-61
Adolescents & Addiction
Codependency
Beautiful Boy Paper Due
 Dr. Drew Understanding
Meth
 Addiction takeover: and the
Brains Pleasure Pathway
On Going Assignment :
Hoarders & Intervention
 Addiction and Family
Roles
 A Mothers Desperation/
video
 Claudia Black – Family
Roles/video
On Going Assignment :
Hoarders & Intervention
 Claudia Black: Children of
Denial - Growing Up with
Addiction
 Co-Dependency
/PowerPoint
On Going Assignment :
Hoarders & Intervention
10/26 Drugs & the Law:
Understanding Implications


Social Acceptance of Substances
Addiction & the Law: DWI’s,
Film: Something’s Wrong With Aunt 
Diane (tentative)
The Global Health Costs
of Addiction
Ongoing: Hoarders &
Intervention
Reading: TWEAK 62-130
11/2
Culture & Addiction:
Through History and Today


Cultural Implications of Addiction: Research,
treatment, recovery
Addiction Today: Technology



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Jackass Star Steve-O…
Meth Addiction Cause for
Concern
Meth PSA’s
11/9
Process Disorders: Beyond
the Drug





Review of THIN /Film
Discussion of Facebook Experiment
Understanding Process Disorder
Discussion of Hoarders/Gambling etc.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Film: THIN
Reading: TWEAK 195-263
The FACEBOOK Experiment (reviewed in class)
11/16 Current Trends in Addiction: 

& The Global Costs of

Addiction



Understanding the Role of spirituality in recovery Handout: 12 Steps of AA
The Costs of Addiction/Drugs
The Prescription Drug Epidemic
Medical Marijuana: The Debate
Reading: TWEAK 264-319
Alternative Uses for Drugs/Substances- Are They
All Bad
11/23 The Journey Home:

Nic David/ Drugs Culture and 
Handout: 12 Steps of AA
Review of Texts
Review of paper assignment
Article : On Your Own /
Can A Single Pill Change Your Life?
12/7
Final Exam Review
The Journey Home
The Worst Has
Happened
On Going Assignment :
Hoarders & Intervention
 What is Relapse? (Article)
Understanding Relapse
(video)
 What is Spirituality?
 Coroner: Amy Winehouse
Died from Too Much
Alcohol
 Who Succumbs to
Addiction… Amy
Winehouse Article
On Going Assignment :
Hoarders & Intervention
 J is for Junkie/Video
On Going Assignment :
Hoarders & Intervention
Society
11/30 NO Class
On Going Assignment :
Hoarders & Intervention
 Texas Meth Alert: Video 1
of 2
 Behind the Counter An
Acute Anxiety
 Feds Begin Crackdown …
Reading: TWEAK 264-319
On Line Discussion

Both Texts Completed
Tweak Paper and Comparison Due
The Faces of Drug
Addiction in America
On Going Assignment :
Hoarders & Intervention
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Final Exam TBA

TBA as per University Schedule
Green shaded dates indicate course assignment due.
Course Assignments
1. In-Class Oral Presentation (5%)
Students will be required to research mood -altering substances/chemical as assigned in class and then present their findings to the class. These
assignments will be presented in class/orally. In-Class presentations will take during class time as per the syllabus. Students must submit a written
outline of their presentation & research including references. (1 Page) Due Date on Syllabus
Students should include the following in their presentations:
 The pharmacology of the substance
 Physiological impact on the brain/body & addictive qualities
 Any Alternative Uses of Substance (historical or current)
 Current trends related to the substance
2. Beautiful Boy: Themes of Addiction Paper (20%)
Due on October 19 2013 before midnight
Students will be expected to read both texts and submit two written papers based on the readings and the assigned “Themes of Addiction”.
Themes will be introduced, defined and discussed during class time allowing the student the opportunity to interpret the text, as they see it,
while applying acquired knowledge of the disease of addiction. Students must reference the assigned text as well as additional readings, movies
and videos in their journals in order to receive full credit. Papers must be a minimum of 5 pages long/ maximum of 6 pages double spaced 12point font.

The following themes must be discussed in the Beautiful Boy Paper in addition to other expected points listed below. They should be
clearly identified either in BOLD or Underlined throughout the paper.
o Love
o Betrayal/trust
o Guilt/Shame
o Isolation/loss
o Forgiveness/Letting Go
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



You Must reference “Rachel Getting Married”
You must include reference/discussion of a minimum of 5 Additional Readings/Videos (from row 5 in the syllabus) from the first half of
the semester in this paper.
You must discuss either Hoarders or Intervention
You must share/present your opinion in this paper
3. TWEAK: Themes of Addiction (20%)
Due on Due: 12/7/2013: Before Midnight





Themes to be discussed in paper:
o Manipulation
o Grandiosity
o Denial /Escape
o Forgiveness/Letting Go
o Spirituality
You must reference/discuss “Thin” & “There’s Something Wrong With Aunt Diane” in this paper
You must include reference/discussion of a minimum of 5 Additional Readings/Videos (from row 5 in the syllabus) from the first half of the
semester in this paper.
You must share/present your opinion in this paper
You must include mention of either Hoarders or Intervention
You must include a 6th page with a comparison of the two texts. This paper should be a 6 pages in length .
4. Class Participation (35%)
*As the course design depends heavily on class participation, students will be graded on a scale from 60% -100% for their participation. A
grade of 90%-100% would require a student to clearly demonstrate that course readings were done, engage in class discussions through
insightful questions, and play an active role to moving the course forward. Attendance will be considered in the total participation grade.
*As a part of class participation, students will be asked to discuss the texts as well as class films during scheduled class times. Students will also
be asked to watch and discuss popular television/on line series related to course topics on their own time. These discussions will count towards
the class participation final grade! The purpose of this ongoing assignment is to think critically about the Sensationalization & Glamorization of
drugs in modern culture. Students are asked to watch one episode of either show per week for the entire semester.
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You must watch either/or:


Intervention: GRB Productions for A&E Network < http://www.aetv.com/intervention/index.jsp >
Hoarders: A&E Television Networks (2011) < http://www.aetv.com/search/schedule.do?keywords=Hoarders&Search.x=0&Search.y=0
>
*Students will also be asked to participate in on line discussions throughout the semester. These will be announced during the semester and
will be posted on SAKAI. Participation in online discussions will count as a percentage under class participation. (5%)
5. Final Examination (20%)
This exam will consist of brief essay-style questions designed to help students synthesize the material covered throughout the semester. The
review will take place during class time (TBA). All students must be present for this review. Final exam dates and specifics will be announced
during the semester and may be subject to change based on the academic calendar.
Extra Credit:
Opportunities for “extra credit” may be available be assigned during the semester.
Office Hours:
Office hours available by appointment. Appointments can be arranged before or after scheduled class times or via e mail
alexopez@rci.rutgers.edu.
Grading Policy:
Letter
A
B+
B
C+
C
D
F
% Range
90-100 %
85-89.99 %
80-84.99 %
75-79.99 %
70-74.99 %
60-69.99 %
<60%
Academic Integrity:
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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.shtm
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