The course introduces understanding of addictions - excessive involvement in substance use and other addictive behaviours. The first half of the course is about models of addictions – how various fields of knowledge understand and conceptualize addictions (from the perspectives of behaviourism, psychodynamics, behavioural biology, neuropsychology, evolutionary biology, etc.). The second half of the course is about specific drugs and behaviours, both legal and illicit substances (e.g., caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, amphetamines, opioids) and excessive behaviours (e.g., gambling, gaming, pornography use). The course ends with discussing whether and in what conditions we can do something with addictions and addictive behaviours (prevention, therapy, harm reduction).

evaluation

1)     Test: At the end of the course, there will be an online test (with both open and multiple-choice type of questions). Result of at least 60% of correct answers is needed to successfully finish the course. Information from both presentations and compulsory reading will be part of the test.

2)     Presentation: Last two meetings will be dedicated to oral presentations. Instructions: Work in group of 2-3 people. Choose a narrow topic related to the course subject. Find 3 empirical research articles published within last 10 years and make a presentation about them (i.e., what research was done and how, what are the findings, what is the overall conclusion of all chosen papers). All group members must be active. Presentation length: 10 minutes. PPT or PDF must be uploaded into the information system prior the actual presentation.