CNA 550 - Self-Directed Learning Project: Learning Contract

This document presents a student's learning contract for a self-directed project in Addiction Studies (CNA 550). The student identifies a learning need related to impulsive behavior and substance use disorders, aiming to understand the causes and impacts of impulsive behavior, particularly violence, linked to addiction. The contract outlines the student's aim to develop strategies for prevention, analyze real-life situations, and understand the underlying reasons for the urge to consume substances. The rationale emphasizes the prevalence of violent behavior and mental health problems associated with addiction, justifying the need for this focused study. The contract includes three objectives: addressing the realities of addiction, understanding key factors influencing addiction and impulsive behavior, and keeping pace with medical therapies and counseling measures. Strategies and resources include community-based treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and screening tools like CRAFFT and CAGE questionnaires. The evidence for achieving these objectives is the successful participation in camps, understanding of behavioral therapy and the use of screening tools. The student's work demonstrates a strong understanding of the subject matter and the importance of a well-structured learning plan to achieve their learning goals.

Self-directed project
In
Addiction Studies

SELF-DIRECTED PROJECT IN ADDICTION STUDIES 1
Learning Contract Student Name:
Date: Unit Coordinator:
Identified Learning Need:
In order to nurture my interest in impulsive behaviour material disorder (Addiction), I want to pursue such subject learning to take forward my area of interest
violent behaviour caused due to addiction and its related studies. Substance (drug, alcohol, etc.) disorder studies is related to addiction towards a particular
material where one cannot resist and whose urge to consume increases by the time which often develops a feeling of anger resulting in violent behaviour.
This study in addiction will provide me an opportunity expand my knowledge in drug addiction causing behaviour and to find out how and why impulsive
behaviour are caused due to drug addiction (Kardefelt‐Winther et al., 2017). Whereas, it will also make me specialized in this respective course to work with
addictive individuals and their families regarding impulsive behaviour causing aggression and violence and influence networking with other professionals and
treatment continuance. Furthermore, it will assist me with policy formation and managerial skills with a strong academic knowledge.
Aim:
Within the defined learning interest in drug addiction research, purpose of pursuing addiction studies is:
i. To identify cause and impact of impulsive behaviour (violence) with a life time effect of it.
ii. To develop creative improvised strategies to formulate preventive measures for such behaviour.
iii. To face and analyse real life situations to assist similar case leading to such behaviour.
iv. To know why an urge to consume is developed and the basic reason behind that in regards violent behaviour.
Rationale:
Addiction based studies builds strong skills and knowledge in the area of substance disorders. It increased my interest after knowing that there are 75%
people in whom violent behaviour could be seen such as physical assault or using a weapon to attack or threaten another. Also, about 40-60% substance
abusers includes incidents of domestic violence which causes higher risk in problems related to mental health. Addiction and aggression are two such factors
because of which one person develops such perception where it’s difficult to control emotions which results in impulsive actions (Procyshyn et al., 2015).
Such cases should be controlled with medications or counselling therapies. Studies have also shown that people with material disorder or addiction are likely

SELF-DIRECTED PROJECT IN ADDICTION STUDIES 2
to be more dangerous to themselves than to others which are likely to develop suicidal thoughts too.
No. Objectives Strategies and Resources Evidence (outputs)
1. To face and address reality of world and
what all complexities are been faced due to
drug addiction disorder and behaviour
complications caused due to this.
To have the depth knowledge about
subject matter, academically which will
however be successful if one has a
great knowledge background about
genetic and biological bases or what
are the efforts to be utilised to
overcome behavioural complexities.
In order to accomplish objectivity of learning need,
to have a successful insight and behavioural
analysis, community based treatment should be
encouraged which strengthens a bond with
families and community. Successful participation
in camps which provide counselling, treatment and
rehabilitation facilities (Zilverstand et al., 2016).
2. To understand complex approaches and
cluster of key factors influencing drug
addiction and impulsive behaviour with its
overcoming factors.
For great learning comes the exposure
in the related subject which comes
from experiences. In order to find out
behavioural causes and implications,
training is a plus point for successful
exposure which will enhance my skills
by analysing practical life examples as
a learning lesson and how it could be
managed.
Understanding cognitive behavioural therapy to
identify different patterns which give rise to
impulsive behaviour and provides necessary
changes to promote healthy behaviour.

SELF-DIRECTED PROJECT IN ADDICTION STUDIES 3
3. To pace with development of medical
therapies and counselling measures for
drug addiction disorder and behavioural
impact of it.
Learning tools like CRAFFT screening
test (adolescents) and CAGE
questionnaire (adults) for screening
and assessment of impulsive
behaviour to get an insight of root
cause.
Proper understanding of behavioural therapy is to
be conducted with knowing the importance family
interventions and including self-disclosures which
persuades by sharing personal experiences
(American Addiction Center, 2019).
Bibliography
American Addiction Center, 2019. Cognitive Behaviroal Therapy Techniques and Addiction Treatment. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK
"https://americanaddictioncenters.org/cognitive-behavioral-therapy" https://americanaddictioncenters.org/cognitive-behavioral-therapy
[Accessed 2019].
Kardefelt‐Winther, D. et al., 2017. How can we conceptualize behavioural addiction without pathologizing common behaviours? Addiction,
112(10), pp.1709-15.
Procyshyn, R., Bezchlibnyk-Butle, K.z. & Jeffries, J., 2015. Clinical handbook of psychotropic drugs. Hogrefe Verlag.
Zilverstand, A., Parvaz, M.A., Moeller, S.J. & Goldstein, R.Z., 2016. Cognitive interventions for addiction medicine: Understanding the
underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Progress in brain research, 224, pp.285-304.