Course Code: MSW066

Course Title: Substance and Technology Addiction

Total Credit: 2                                                                                                                        Total hrs: 45

Course Type: Open Elective

Course Description: Addiction studies are designed to help students to develop an understanding of substance and technology (behavioral) addictions from bio-psychosocial perspective.  This paper focuses on familiarizing the students about its various concepts, developmental process and effects. Students will examine both disorders pertaining to substance and technology (behavioral). There will also be a focus on vulnerable populations to problematic use of substance and technology.  The consequences of addictions will be studied at the individual, academy, daily routine life, occupational, family, community and societal levels. This course will draw on current research in the field of addictions, and will emphasize critical thinking and analysis of the current controversies in the field. The students will have an overview of the theories/models/frameworks adopted in the area of substance and technology/Internet/ addiction.

Course Objectives:

• To understand the historical development, growth, concepts related to Use, Problematic use, Abuse, Dependence/Addiction to Technology/Internet/ Social networking sites/Mobile, other electronic gadgets, substance and its prevalence.
•  To understand the overview of behavioral addiction.
• To understand the various factors, models/approaches/theories pertaining to substance and technology addiction/dependence.
• To understand the effects, psychosocial intervention and recovery process pertaining to substance and technology addiction/dependence.
• To emphasize critical thinking and analysis of the current controversies in the field of technology/Internet Addiction.

Course Learning Outcome: This course will familiarize the students with the concepts related to use, problematic use, abuse, dependence /addiction to technology and substances. Students will gain insight pertaining to its developmental factors, models/approaches/theories, signs and symptoms, effects, treatment and recovery process. The paper will further develop critical thinking ability among students about the epidemic of this new phenomenon (Internet Gaming Addiction) and the current controversies in the field of technology/Internet Addiction across the globe.                     

Essential Reading

American Psychiatric Association (1994), Diagnostic Criterion from DSM-IV. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association,.

Ahuja, N. (2002). A short textbook of psychiatry. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd.

Kaplan, H.L., Freedman A.M. & Saddock B.J. (1980). Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. Baltimore/ London: Williams & Wilkins.

World Health Organization (1992). The ICD-10 classification of mental and behavioral disorders: Clinical description and diagnostic guidelines. Oxford University Press.

Young, K. S. (1997). Internet Addiction: Symptoms, evaluation, and treatment. Innovations in Clinical Practice, 17

Recommended Reading

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5^th ed.). Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association.

Grant, J.E., Brewer, J.A., Potenza, M.N. (2006). The neurobiology of substance and behavioural addictions. CNS Spectr, 11(12):924-930.

Miller, W., Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational interviewing. 2nd Edition. New York and London: Guilford Press.

Prochaska, J.A., DiClemente, C.C., & Norcross, J.C. (1992). In search of how people change. Applications to addictive behaviour. Am. Psych.47: 1102-1114.