Eyskube Exercise
Consciousness Unit
Psychology
Mr. Aiello
Addiction Simulation Exercise: Eyskube
This exercise will allow you to experience, first hand, some of the physical, social, cognitive, and
emotional experiences of a person who is actually addicted to a drug. In no way is this meant to
make light of nor minimize the devastating effects of a real drug addiction. It is designed to help
you gain just a little insight into the world of the addict, and to thereby gain some understanding
of the total experience of being addicted to drugs, and how the addiction takes over the addict’s
life.
If for any reason you find this assignment too uncomfortable to complete, you need to discuss
it with Mr. Aiello privately, and a suitable alternative assignment will be designed.
PROTOCOL
Beginning with your waking tomorrow morning, you are to engage in this exercise until
bedtime three days later (Tuesday am – Thursday bedtime). The more strictly you adhere to the
guidelines the more effective the exercise will be for you.
1. Your “Drug of Choice” is eyskube.
a. You used to be able to ‘get off’ on simply water, but your addiction has
progressed way beyond water. You now need specially processed water:
eyskube.
b. This is analogous to progressing from powder cocaine to crack cocaine.
2. THIRST is your craving for the “drug” – eyskube.
a. Every time you take a drink of any liquid, you must have an eyskube in the
liquid. Yes, this will be difficult, and will require much planning.
ANTICIPATE!! This applies to all drinking situations including drinking
fountains, cans or bottles, even late night drinks of water after you have
awakened from sleep.
b. This includes all hot drinks also!!
3. EYSKUBE is SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND ILLEGAL!!
a. Do not let ‘regular people’ see you or catch you using eyskube. This applies
to friends and family. The only people with whom it is acceptable to be open
about your use of eyskube are other ‘addicts’ who are participating in this
exercise. This will take some creative thinking at home, in restaurants, and
other public places.
b. DO NOT DO ANYTHING ILLEGAL TO OBTAIN EYSKUBE. THIS IS A
SIMULATION. YOU MUST AT NO TIME GO AGAINST YOUR
PERSONAL MORAL CODE OR BREAK REGULATION OR LAWS TO
COMPLETE THIS EXERCISE.
c. Obviously, do not endanger you physical health by not drinking enough
liquids if you are engaged in vigorous physical activity.
Eyskube Exercise
Consciousness Unit
Psychology
Mr. Aiello
4. TRACKS –
a. You will be given a piece of yarn to wear on your wrist during this simulation.
Wear the bracelet at all times during this exercise. This bracelet is analogous
to an addict’s “tracks”, so it is socially unacceptable to wear the bracelet. Try
your best to keep ‘regular people’ from seeing the bracelet because they might
ask what it is about, and this would put you in a difficult situation trying to
explain it. Remember, you are trying to hide your addiction from all ‘regular
people’, including your family.
b. The bracelet will also serve to remind you that you are participating in the
exercise. It will be easy to “forget” for a few hours, so you will have to be
diligent in your participation. Remember, real addicts cannot turn off their
cravings at will.
5. WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT – At the end of the three-day exercise, you will need to
write a short paper in which you describe your experiences. You may choose to focus
on your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the exercise. You can tell me about your
plans and methods to accomplish the assignment. You can write about the reactions
you received from ‘regular people’ when you lied and deceived them. Whatever you
choose to write about, just make sure you support your key points with explanations
that will help me to understand how you felt while doing this exercise.
6. Turn in your essay on Wednesday, November 6, the day after our unit Quest.