Southern State Community College
Curriculum Committee – November 2011
PSYC 2225 – Psychology of Addiction and Family Systems
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I.
COURSE TITLE: Psychology of Addiction and Family Systems
COURSE NUMBER: 2225
II.
PREREQUISITE(S): HSSR 1105
III.
CREDIT HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS: 0
IV.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
CATALOG PREFIX:
PSYC
LECTURE HOURS: 3
OBSERVATION HOURS: 0
This course will cover a broad range of issues related to addiction
including various theories of addiction, how addiction is defined, how it develops,
how it is treated, and how it can be prevented. The coursework will include study
of biological, developmental, motivational, familial, and cultural aspects of
addiction. The course will focus on many types of addiction, including alcohol
addiction, drug addiction, tobacco addiction, sex addiction, eating disorders,
compulsive gambling, and other emerging forms of addictive behavior. Class
activities will include researching and reading journal articles, class discussion, as
well as study from the assigned textbooks. This course will also focus on the
impact of addiction on the family system and other relationships. Students will be
exposed to the alteration of family patterns due to the presence of addiction. This
course features a heavy reliance on academic research (scholarly journals) to
supplement the material presented in the texts.
Students who have completed PSYC 2225 may not receive credit for this course.
V.
ADOPTED TEXT(S):
Excessive Appetites: A Psychological View of Addiction
Jim Orford.
Wiley Publishing
Chemical Dependency: A Family Affair
Olivia Curtis.
Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
PSYC 2225 – Psychology of Addiction and Family Systems
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VI.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of this course the student will be able to:
1.
Understand the similarities and differences in different types and theories
of addiction.
2.
Explain the biological factors in addiction as a brain disease.
3.
4.
Explain the Trans-theoretical Stages of Change model.
Describe the issues of self-regulation and loss of control in regard to
addiction.
5.
Demonstrate an understanding of biopsychosocial models and pathways to
addiction.
6.
Discuss the major theories of addiction (including the disease model and
other theories).
7.
Understand the addictive process of substance abuse (alcohol, drugs,
nicotine, and other chemical substances).
8.
Understand the addictive process of compulsive gambling.
9.
Understand the addictive process of compulsive sexual behavior (sexual
addiction).
10.
Understand the addictive process of food (eating disorders).
11.
Understand the addictive process of emerging behavioral issues new to our
understanding (Internet addiction, work addiction, etc.)
12.
Understand theoretical approaches to the study of family and other
relationships.
13.
Demonstrate a knowledge base in regard to family structure and
development.
14.
Understand the family systems model in regard to addiction,
prevention, and recovery.
15.
Discuss the various survival roles members of a chemically dependent
family characteristically employ.
16.
Develop a process for assessment and treatment of families with addiction.
PSYC 2225 – Psychology of Addiction and Family Systems
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VII.
COURSE METHODOLOGY:
This course will utilize lecture, power point presentations, video, group exercises
and other methods to enhance the student’s learning of the material covered in the
course text.
VIII. GRADING:
The grading scale will follow the policy in the college catalog:
A = 100 – 90
B = 89 – 80
C = 79 – 70
D = 69 – 60
F = 59 – 0
IX.
SAMPLE COURSE OUTLINE:
WEEK
1.
Addiction as a brain disease
2.
Various theories of addiction
3.
The addictive family
4.
Stages of addiction and Stages of Change / Transtheoretical Model
5.
Various Substance as well as Process addictions
6.
The addictive cycle
7.
The family and addiction’s negative impact on the system
8.
Learn the principles of family therapy
9.
Compare the etiology of the disease, behavior, and family systems models
10.
Define and utilize the family systems model
11.
Relate the dynamics of shame and its emotional family impact
12.
Explain symbiosis, and the basic rules of a dysfunctional family
13.
Compare and contrast detachment and disengagement
PSYC 2225 – Psychology of Addiction and Family Systems
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X.
14.
Illustrate multi-generational transmissions / Personal genogram
15.
Relate the communication patterns within the dysfunctional family
16.
Final exam week
OTHER REQUIRED BOOKS, SOFTWARE AND MATERIALS:
Selected journal articles as assigned by the instructor
XI.
EVALUATION:
At the discretion of the instructor, evaluation may be based on any or all of the
following: final exam, mid-term exam, chapter tests, quizzes, term papers and
themes, class projects, attendance, class participation, and other assignments.
XII.
SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Student Responsibilities: To meet the objectives of this course, students are
expected to attend all scheduled classes, study the text, complete assignments,
contribute to class discussion, and act as responsible adults. Students are
responsible for making up work missed due to absence as permitted by the
instructor.
Instructor Responsibilities: The instructor will enhance and expand the meaning
and application of the subject matter covered throughout this course. At the
beginning of each semester, the instructor will distribute syllabi listing all course
requirements. The instructor will facilitate class discussion and be available for
individual student conferences.
A. Classroom attendance is mandatory. Make up exams will only be given if
the student has an excused absence. Any absences not on a test day do not
require a written excuse. The test must be taken at the next class or a zero
will be issued.
B. Students who miss more than six classes (excused and unexcused
combined) may be asked to withdraw by the Instructor and issued a grade of
F if they fail to officially withdraw from the class.
C. Extra credit assignments are at the Instructor’s discretion.
Late assignments. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day
assigned. Assignments turned in at the next class will be deducted 50% of their
points. Assignments turned in latter than that will receive a zero.
PSYC 2225 – Psychology of Addiction and Family Systems
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XIII. OTHER INFORMATION:
FERPA: Students need to understand that your work may be seen by others.
Others may see your work when being distributed, during group project work, or
if it is chosen for demonstration purposes.
Students also need to know that there is a strong possibility that your work may
be submitted to other entities for the purpose of plagiarism checks.
DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities may contact the Disabilities Service
Office, Central Campus, at 800-628-7722 or 937-393-3431.