What insights have you gained about your habits and coping mechanisms?

Each student is expected to experience withdrawal. This may be accomplished by abstaining from a regularly practiced behavior, regularly consumed substance (including food), or it may consist of a description of overcoming an addiction prior to taking this course.

Acceptable responses to this assignment have included abstinence from ESPN, social media, consuming chocolate, cell phones, vape, junk food, or caffeine. After experiencing withdrawal for at least 3 days, a 2–3-page description (1000-1500 words) of the experience is to be written. See below for detailed instructions on what to include in your paper. Please note that each paragraph should be 4-5 sentences each.

Paragraph 1: (Justification for the chosen activity): Your first paragraph should include a description of the activity you have chosen for the assignment. This should include a justification for the activity you decided to withdrawal from which will include: 1) a description of how often and how long you engaged in the activity prior to the assignment, 2) if you have had prior attempts to abstain from the activity and if so- what was that like?; and 3) people, places, and things you associate with the activities- i.e. with whom – when – how- and where you typically engage in the activity.

Paragraphs 2 and 3 (Withdrawal Description): Describe your withdrawal experience in detail. including withdrawal symptoms experienced, both psychological and physical.

Describe in detail any cravings or obsessive thoughts. Describe how you dealt with these urges. Were you able to abstain? Why or why not? Were the people, places, and things that you associated with the behavior triggers?

Paragraph 4 (Reflection and Self-Assessment): Reflect on how this withdrawal experience has shaped your self-awareness and resilience. What insights have you gained about your habits and coping mechanisms? Consider the impact of this experience on your future goals and plans.

Paragraphs 5 and 6 (Knowledge Transfer): Apply this exercise to the challenges a person with substance use disorders must experience. In what way is your experience comparable to withdrawals from substance use disorders? In what ways might your experience fall short of mimicking the experiences of people with substance use disorders?
Paragraphs 7 and 8 (Connections to Experience): Connect your withdrawal experience to your prior knowledge, previous learning experiences, and the content of this course. What have you learned from this assignment that can provide insight as to why addiction poses such a perplexing problem? Consider how the knowledge and insights gained from the assignments can be applied to new situations, discussing potential applications in future professional contexts or real-world challenges related to addiction and recovery.

Language Requirement (Inegrated Communication): In this class we use person first language. Using person-first language in discussing individuals with substance or alcohol use disorders is crucial for promoting dignity and respect.

Instead of terms like “addict” or “alcoholic,” which can carry stigma and reduce individuals to their condition, person-first language emphasizes their humanity before their disorder. For example, saying “person with a substance use disorder” or “individual with alcohol use disorder” prioritizes their identity over their condition. This choice of language demonstrates mature awareness of the subject, purpose, and audience, fostering understanding and empathy while avoiding stigmatization.