Theoretical wild card
How would Mark Lewis view Rue's addiction?
What is a learned habit reinforced by brain changes — a pattern she could rewire through self-awareness and new behaviors.
What ethical dilemma could arise if Rue’s therapist learns she’s using again as a minor?
What is Balancing confidentiality with duty to protect her safety
Name one DSM-5 criterion Rue meets for Substance Use Disorder.
What are Craving, tolerance, withdrawal, continued use despite harm ect.
How do you see Mark Lewis' idea that OCD and addiction are cousins play out with Rue?
What is: Mark Lewis’ idea suggests that both OCD and addiction involve repetitive, compulsive behaviors driven by dysregulated brain circuits and habit formation. In Rue’s case, her substance use functions similarly to OCD patterns — she repeatedly uses to relieve anxiety, emotional pain, or stress, even when it causes negative consequences, showing how addiction can act like a compulsive, hard-to-control behavior.
What are some arguments Holly Whitaker would make about Rue's struggle with substance use?
This feminist author would argue Rue’s struggle reflects society’s pressures and lack of empowerment for women, not a personal moral or medical failing.
How might Rue’s race, gender, or age affect access to treatment?
What are Age limits autonomy; gender norms may increase stigma; systemic bias in healthcare
Based on Rue’s pattern of use and consequences, what severity level does her disorder meet?
What is severe
How could Rue’s story illustrate the stages of change model?
What is Precontemplation (denial), contemplation (acknowledging harm), preparation (seeking help), action (detox), relapse (return to use), maintenance (NA meetings)
Different from Mark Lewis, what would Gabor Mate say about Rue's substance use?
What is he would explain Rue’s addiction as her attempt to soothe deep emotional pain stemming from her father’s death and attachment wounds. He would see Rue’s drug use as an act of survival, not self-destruction, rooted in unresolved grief and traumatic experiences.
What dual role challenges might clinicians face in a residential facility with Rue?
What are Balancing authority and advocacy roles, maintaining boundaries
What co-occurring disorder is most apparent in Rue’s presentation?
What is PTSD or Major Depressive Disorder
What might be an example of one short-term goal for Rue’s treatment plan?
What is 4 days sober, contacting support systems, attendance at treatment program (if applicable).
In Euphoria, Rue’s drug use is often portrayed as entirely destructive, with little focus on her autonomy or informed choices.
This theorist would challenge that portrayal arguing that Rue’s issues stem less from the drugs themselves and more from the stigma, criminalization, and lack of honest education or emotional support surrounding her use. His harm-reduction approach prioritizes autonomy, compassion, and freedom from punitive narratives.
Who is Carl Hart
How can cultural humility improve Rue’s treatment engagement?
What is validating her lived experiences, reducing shame, and building trust
Between the MAST and the AUDIT what would be more appropriate when assessing Rue's substance use?
What is The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is more appropriate than the MAST for Rue because it captures a broader spectrum of use and risk patterns, while the MAST is older, alcohol-specific, and less effective for detecting polysubstance use or early-stage problems common in adolescents and young adults.
In the clips we showed where Rue meets with her sponsor, Ali, he appears to align with Nora Volkow’s disease model of addiction — that Rue uses because she has a disease. Rue disagrees and says she uses to numb her pain.
What are some clinical implications of these conflicting viewpoints?
How would you, as a clinician, navigate potential discrepancies in worldview between yourself and a client?
What are no real wrong answers just want to hear your opinions!
Rue often struggles between wanting control over her drug use and feeling powerless to stop.
Which two theorists would most likely disagree about whether Rue truly has control over her addiction?
Who are Nora Volkow and Mark Lewis?
Volkow (disease model) sees Rue’s addiction as a loss of control caused by brain changes, while Lewis (learning model) believes she can regain control by rewiring habits and developing new coping patterns.