The purpose of this writing exercise is to promote students’ self awareness and critical thinking skills as it relates to addiction.
Learning Goal: I’m working on a social science writing question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.
Narrative and Critical Reflection for Addictions Practitioners by Kathy Lay.
This exercise is contributed by Kathy Lay, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Indiana University-Indianapolis. The purpose of this writing exercise is to promote students’ self awareness and critical thinking skills as it relates to addiction.
Explanation of the assignment as follows:
Experiences we have whether they are personal or professional with regard to substance abuse and dependence continuously shape the lens with which we view addiction and have implications for our practices with clients. Some experiences foster personal growth and development by challenging narrow viewpoints that do not allow us to see the complexity of addictive disorders. Other experiences allow us to continue seeing addiction through a constricted lens that not only filters new learning, but actually serves to crystallize negative experiences. It is for this reason, that critical reflection is necessary as a life-long learning principle. However, it is necessary to have a guide for critical reflection. This exercise provides a guide for reflection on experiences with substance abuse/dependence.
The student is asked to write the narrative of the experience, externalize the experience by naming it and responding to the specific questions. The exercise allows the learner to acknowledge the power of the experience, reflect for the purpose of deconstruction of the story, and to open space
for new learning through reflection on a preferred way of being.
Answer preview The purpose of this writing exercise is to promote students’ self awareness and critical thinking skills as it relates to addiction.
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