“The Controversy of Addiction as an Incurable Disease: A Critical Analysis of Biological and Psychological Theories and their Implications on Policy and Treatment”

Here is the essay question: Is Addiction an incurable disease that can only be “arrested through total abstinence” (www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk)? Discuss, with reference to biological and psychological theories of addiction.
Here is some more advice given by my lecturer : –             
Make sure the theories you
include are relevant to the question, you only have 2000 words so be really
careful with the theories you use
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Make sure critiques are focused
around the question. Don’t evaluate parts of research which aren’t relevant to
the overall question
–             
When thinking about parts of
the policy, think about implicit and explicit messages being given in the
policy, and which theories it positions the writers as agreeing with
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Are there areas related to
policy outside of the Harm to Hope policy that are relevant
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Think about the context of the
actual quote from alcoholics anonymous
–             
Think about strengths and
weaknesses of the disease concept of addiction
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Be aware of the language used
by other researchers e.g them referring to drug use instead of addiction
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Remember you need to make an
argument throughout the essay
–             
Marking criteria 1 and 2 could
both be addressed in the same area, as 1 is explaining theories and 2 is
critiquing them
–             
Your structure will change
depending on your argument e.g if you agree with the statement or not
–             
Keep everything tied to the
question, don’t go off on tangents
–             
Be succinct, do not waffle,
keep it focused on the question