Answer each question thoroughly and clearly and ground it in course reading material.
Essay answers must be more than 3 or 4 brief sentences but kept within the bounds of an
essay exam (2 - 6 paragraphs). All your writing must be in your own words. Paraphrase
(restate what you read) rather than copying material from course readings or the
Internet. No copying is permitted in this course and doing so will result in zero points on
the exam. Answers must be written in narrative, paragraph form. Lists and/or sentence
fragments also will not receive points.
What are some of the principles of effective treatment for substance abuse and
dependence?
Effective treatment of substance abuse and dependence must begin with the
understanding that addiction is a complex and chronic condition that is influenced by many
factors, including biological, psychological and social. No single treatment option or
approach is effective for every individual. Treatment needs to be individualized based upon
differences in substance use patterns, severity of use, motivation of the person seeking
treatment, any underlying mental or physical health conditions and the individuals personal
circumstances (NIDA, 2018). This principle recognizes that successful treatment is
dependent on how well treatments and services are match ed to the individual rather than
solely relying on standardized approaches.
Another essential principle is that for treatment to be effective it must be comprehensive
and address more than just the substance use behavior. The National Institute on Drug Abuse
(NIDA) emphasizes that treatment should include behavioral therapies, medication if and
when appropriate, and other services that problems associated with or exacerbating the
substance use such as mental health, medical needs, social and vocational issues (NIDA,
2018).
The duration and continuity of care are also critical factors when it comes to effective
treatment. NIDA highlights that remaining in treatment for an adequate amount of time,
, generally at least 90 days, is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes (NIDA,
2018). Recovery is a long-term process that requires ongoing support rather than a short-
term treatment.
Finally, the context and process of treatment play significant roles in an individual’s
recovery outcomes. Factors like the relationship between the individual and the therapist, the
setting of the treatment, how the treatment is delivered and how well it fits into the person’s
social environment can greatly influence how effective the treatment is (Moos, 2009). When
these principles are all factored into a treatment plan the chances of positive outcomes
increase.
Moos, R. H. (2009). Addictive disorders in context: Principles and puzzles of
effective treatment and recovery. Addictive Behaviors: New Readings on
Etiology, Prevention, and Treatment., 537–558. https://doi.org/10.1037/11855-
021
Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-based guide (Third edition).
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018).
https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat-3rdEd-508.pdf
Could the public associate a valuable medicinal agent (i.e., a medicine) with the dark
world of doping and performance-enhancing drugs? Even worse, could some people
accuse these companies of developing drugs that could be misused by athletes as a way
of enhancing sales? Discuss the implications.
The likelihood that the public could link a medically valuable or necessary drug to doping is
a very real possibility. Recent research shows how prescription or over the counter medications
may be perceived as potential performance enhancers. Specifically, the World Anti-Doping
Agency (WADA) is investigating whether or not the commonly prescribed pain medications
tapentadol and dihydrocodeine might give competitive cyclists an advantage (Hughes, 2025).
, These developments can blur the line between legitimate therapeutic use and performance
enhancement leading the public to associate necessary medications with doping even when the
medication in question was designed solely for clinical use.
This overlap can have significant consequences when it comes to how pharmaceutical
companies and healthcare providers are viewed. Anti-doping authorities must monitor and
regulate substances that could be misused by athletes; however medicine is an essential part of
treating illness and injury. One review noted that many dietary supplements may be
contaminated with prohibited substances which may raise the risk of inadvertent doping (Mallick
et al., 2023). In order to balance this dual reality, regulatory organizations need to carefully
balance fairness in sports with legitimate medical needs without stigmatizing necessary
treatments or discouraging valid research.
Beyond the regulatory or commercial consequences, there are both ethical and public-health
implications. If the public sees a medication as a “performance-enhancer” then patients who need
it for a legitimate medical condition may face stigma, judgement or the reluctance of healthcare
providers to prescribe it due to worries about misuse. This could lead to undertreatment,
decreased access to the medication or an over-regulation of the medication. Moreover,
widespread suspicion could damage the public’s trust in both medicine and pharmaceutical
research. In order to mitigate these potential complications pharmaceutical companies need to be
open and transparent about the intended medical use of their products while working with
regulatory authorities to anticipate any potential misuse and providers need to clearly distinguish
between therapeutic need and enhancement and communicate these differences to their patients.
Hughes, G. (2025, May 28). Investigating the potentially dangerous effects of two
prescription drugs on elite cyclists. News Centre - University of Kent.
Essay answers must be more than 3 or 4 brief sentences but kept within the bounds of an
essay exam (2 - 6 paragraphs). All your writing must be in your own words. Paraphrase
(restate what you read) rather than copying material from course readings or the
Internet. No copying is permitted in this course and doing so will result in zero points on
the exam. Answers must be written in narrative, paragraph form. Lists and/or sentence
fragments also will not receive points.
What are some of the principles of effective treatment for substance abuse and
dependence?
Effective treatment of substance abuse and dependence must begin with the
understanding that addiction is a complex and chronic condition that is influenced by many
factors, including biological, psychological and social. No single treatment option or
approach is effective for every individual. Treatment needs to be individualized based upon
differences in substance use patterns, severity of use, motivation of the person seeking
treatment, any underlying mental or physical health conditions and the individuals personal
circumstances (NIDA, 2018). This principle recognizes that successful treatment is
dependent on how well treatments and services are match ed to the individual rather than
solely relying on standardized approaches.
Another essential principle is that for treatment to be effective it must be comprehensive
and address more than just the substance use behavior. The National Institute on Drug Abuse
(NIDA) emphasizes that treatment should include behavioral therapies, medication if and
when appropriate, and other services that problems associated with or exacerbating the
substance use such as mental health, medical needs, social and vocational issues (NIDA,
2018).
The duration and continuity of care are also critical factors when it comes to effective
treatment. NIDA highlights that remaining in treatment for an adequate amount of time,
, generally at least 90 days, is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes (NIDA,
2018). Recovery is a long-term process that requires ongoing support rather than a short-
term treatment.
Finally, the context and process of treatment play significant roles in an individual’s
recovery outcomes. Factors like the relationship between the individual and the therapist, the
setting of the treatment, how the treatment is delivered and how well it fits into the person’s
social environment can greatly influence how effective the treatment is (Moos, 2009). When
these principles are all factored into a treatment plan the chances of positive outcomes
increase.
Moos, R. H. (2009). Addictive disorders in context: Principles and puzzles of
effective treatment and recovery. Addictive Behaviors: New Readings on
Etiology, Prevention, and Treatment., 537–558. https://doi.org/10.1037/11855-
021
Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-based guide (Third edition).
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018).
https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat-3rdEd-508.pdf
Could the public associate a valuable medicinal agent (i.e., a medicine) with the dark
world of doping and performance-enhancing drugs? Even worse, could some people
accuse these companies of developing drugs that could be misused by athletes as a way
of enhancing sales? Discuss the implications.
The likelihood that the public could link a medically valuable or necessary drug to doping is
a very real possibility. Recent research shows how prescription or over the counter medications
may be perceived as potential performance enhancers. Specifically, the World Anti-Doping
Agency (WADA) is investigating whether or not the commonly prescribed pain medications
tapentadol and dihydrocodeine might give competitive cyclists an advantage (Hughes, 2025).
, These developments can blur the line between legitimate therapeutic use and performance
enhancement leading the public to associate necessary medications with doping even when the
medication in question was designed solely for clinical use.
This overlap can have significant consequences when it comes to how pharmaceutical
companies and healthcare providers are viewed. Anti-doping authorities must monitor and
regulate substances that could be misused by athletes; however medicine is an essential part of
treating illness and injury. One review noted that many dietary supplements may be
contaminated with prohibited substances which may raise the risk of inadvertent doping (Mallick
et al., 2023). In order to balance this dual reality, regulatory organizations need to carefully
balance fairness in sports with legitimate medical needs without stigmatizing necessary
treatments or discouraging valid research.
Beyond the regulatory or commercial consequences, there are both ethical and public-health
implications. If the public sees a medication as a “performance-enhancer” then patients who need
it for a legitimate medical condition may face stigma, judgement or the reluctance of healthcare
providers to prescribe it due to worries about misuse. This could lead to undertreatment,
decreased access to the medication or an over-regulation of the medication. Moreover,
widespread suspicion could damage the public’s trust in both medicine and pharmaceutical
research. In order to mitigate these potential complications pharmaceutical companies need to be
open and transparent about the intended medical use of their products while working with
regulatory authorities to anticipate any potential misuse and providers need to clearly distinguish
between therapeutic need and enhancement and communicate these differences to their patients.
Hughes, G. (2025, May 28). Investigating the potentially dangerous effects of two
prescription drugs on elite cyclists. News Centre - University of Kent.
