Consider the problem of substance use in America. Define substance use in your own words.Discuss why Americans seemingly have such a desire for illegal narcotics.

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Assessment Description
Consider the problem of substance use in America. efine “substance use” in your own words.Discuss why Americans seemingly have such a desire for illegal narcotics
1. Define “substance use” in your own words.Discuss why Americans seemingly have such a desire for illegal narcotics.
2. Discuss why Americans seemingly have such a desire for illegal narcotics.
3. Explain how treatment for substance use would be different if it were considered a disease versus a choice or behavior change.
4. Examine if the theories of psychopathology adequately explain substance use.
Provide three to five peer-reviewed sources to support your claims.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. 
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Benchmark Information

This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competency:

MS Psychology, Forensic Psychology

5.3: Explain addictive behaviors and treatments.

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Assessment Description
The human brain argumentatively is the human brain – it remains relatively the same and is not subject to sudden leaps in evolution. In 1,000 to 1,250 words, do the following:
1. Explain if there are still pathways to be explored in our understanding of the human brain.
2. Analyze how the field of computer science could aide psychopathologist in understanding the human mind.
3. Describe tools that could aide or treat those suffering from deviant or even criminal psychological conditions that you anticipate seeing in the future.
Provide five to seven peer-reviewed sources to support your claims.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. 
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT
REPLY 8-1 ReCa
In the last 10 years technological advances have enhanced many fields including psychology. Technology helps improve peoples lives individually, such as the ability on our cell phones, TV’s and even cars now. The advances don’t stop with our everyday lives but with how we conduct studies and test in psychology as well. Today, new instruments are increasing the reliability/validity of psychological data, aiding psychologists the ability to have more precise measurements. Improved computer processing power and databases mean that researchers and other psychologists can store and process large amounts of data. A recent advancement was uncovered during COVID 19, apps, videos and the ability to conduct a doctors visit virtually became a normal way of life. Psychologist benefited from this by being able to conduct regularly scheduled visits via a video call to keep everyone safe in their respective homes/offices. Technology enhances the majority of lives, while there are some cons the pros definitely outweigh the cons.
REPLY 8-2 ReCa
I do not think medication alone should be used to treat mental health disorders. I do not have personal experience but I have known friends and friends with children who were prescribed medicine alone and struggled with it. Medication mixed with a specific type of therapy should be the way medication is used. Medication, especially mental health medication can make you feel completely different good or bad. This can be scary and hard to get used to. If it’s effecting you negatively having a therapist to talk to about would be beneficial because they can help you adjust it mentally, adjust the dosage and/or adjust the type of therapy you are receiving. Individuals respond to therapy differently the same as medication, it’s not a one fits all. An example from the APA suggest that for anxiety disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy is shown to be the most helpful and medication does not always need to be used and doesn’t always improve what the therapy is doing alone. I do believe there is a negative aspect in society. If someone takes a medication everyday for years it’s noticed and it can affect how people view you. I worked in a juvenile detention center for 4 years and the kids would get their medications everyday. The kids that had psychotropic medications would often get asked about them by the other kids and sometimes it was negative attention that did not help their situation.
REPLY 8-1 PROF
In the past several weeks, we have learned about the evolution of psychopathology and the field of psychology. DQ 1 is asking you to look at the past 10 years and write about what you have found interesting or startling. I want you to look at the future of this field and tell me what you think will be some things that will be exciting or startling in the next 10 years. Where do you see this field going and why do you think that?