Application: Controlled Drug Use: Is Addiction a "Disease"?

One of the more controversial issues related to the substance-related disorders is whether or not someone with a substance-related disorder can ever learn to keep his or her drug or alcohol use under control. A related question is whether or not the individual with a substance-related disorder has a disease, which is the position of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). In this week's Application Assignment, you will address each of these related controversial issues.

The assignment: (1-2 pages)

Analyze these controversial issues, based on both your own experiences and your work with this week's required Learning Resources. In your assignment, do the following:

Present an argument for your stance with respect to the first controversial issue regarding substance-related disorders: Is it possible for individuals with substance-related disorders, such as those who abuse alcohol, to moderate their drug use instead of taking the abstinence approach to treatment? Support your argument with evidence from this week's required Learning Resources.

Present an argument for your stance with respect to the second controversial issue-namely, is a substance-related disorder a disease? Again, support your argument with evidence from this week's required Learning Resources.