Reflective practice in addiction studies: promoting deeper learning and de-stigmatising myths about addictions

Abstract

The following study was an exploratory journey to examine reflective practice amongst students taking the undergraduate paper ‘Communities and Addiction’. This paper has been an elective paper within the Health Sciences for third year students at the University of Auckland for three years. The students were instructed to reflect on two assignments after they had written each one. The first assignment focused on addiction models and the second assignment focused on social marketing as a public health approach to potentially addictive behaviour (e.g. substance abuse, gambling, and eating disorders). The findings from the first assignment suggested that students developed (or enhanced) empathy towards sufferers of addiction. The findings from both of the assignments revealed that many of the students were developing reflective skills, though often this was at quite a basic level. These findings suggested that more guidance and feedback is needed to aid students in the reflective journey.

Keywords:

• reflective practice
• addictions
• undergraduates
• culture

Acknowledgement

Special acknowledgement is due to Ms Mona O’Shea for her contribution in teaching reflective practice to the students.