Week 5: Culture and Substance Abuse Introduction Last week, you learned about the roles and complexities of family dynamics and how these interact with substance abuse and addiction. Now you will turn your attention to the broader dimension of culture and what its effects are on substance abuse and addiction. Take a moment to think about all you have learned through the program regarding culture and its impact on individuals. How might culture impact individuals dealing with substance abuse concerns? How might substance abuse compare in different cultures? This week, you will analyze the role that culture plays in the structure of substance abuse and addiction. You then will integrate what you have learned about how biology, family, and culture may contribute to substance abuse and addiction by demonstrating and examining these dimensions in a case study. Learning Outcomes By the end of this week, you should be able to: Compare the impact of different cultures on substance abuse and addiction Analyze and explain the biological, familial, and cultural contributors to and impacts on substance abuse and addiction Learning Resources Readings ¢Course Text: Substance Abuse Counseling —¦For review: Chapter 4, œEtiology of Substance Abuse: Why People Use (pp. 105“110 only) —¦For review: Chapter 9, œFamily Treatment (pp. 240“253 only) —¦Chapter 12, œWorking with Diverse Cultures: Exploring Sociocultural Influences and Realities in ATOD Treatment and Prevention (pp. 311“335) The Impact of Culture Determining how culture contributes to substance abuse and addiction is vital for a counselor and scholar-practitioner committed both to client well-being and social change. In this Discussion, you will analyze how culture may contribute to substance abuse and addiction by comparing the impact of two specific cultures. To prepare for this Discussion: Review this week’s Learning Resources, focusing on the information about how culture may contribute to substance abuse and addiction in the cultures discussed. Select two different cultures and think about the influence that each of the cultures has on substance abuse and addiction. Consider the similarities and differences in the influence that each of these two cultures has on substance abuse and addiction. With these thoughts in mind: Write a comparison (similarities and differences) of the impact of two different cultures on substance abuse and/or addiction. Use specific examples to illustrate how elements of each culture may have an impact on particular aspects of substance abuse and/or addiction. Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources. Texts Stevens, P., & Smith, R. L. (2013). Substance abuse counseling: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Kelly, V. A., & Juhnke, G. A., eds. (2005). Critical incidents in addictions counseling. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.