Fact Sheet: Argumentative Paper on Addiction

By JPUncategorized

Objective

The objective of this research paper is to examine the complex nature of addiction through the lens of real human experience.

By analyzing a specific individual’s struggle with addiction, the paper aims to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based argument for how best to help that person overcome their addiction. The research will investigate the biological, psychological, and societal factors that contribute to the individual’s addiction while proposing practical, realistic solutions tailored to their specific circumstances. Ultimately, the paper seeks to demonstrate how understanding individual cases of addiction can inform more effective, personalized treatment approaches.

Background

Once viewed mainly as physical dependence on drugs or alcohol, addiction is now understood to include behavioral patterns driven by psychological and societal factors.

Modern addiction treatment recognizes that effective intervention requires understanding not just the addiction itself, but the unique circumstances, background, and needs of each individual struggling with addiction. By examining real stories of people affected by addiction, we can better understand how personal vulnerabilities, environmental factors, and available resources intersect to either support or hinder recovery. This personalized approach to understanding addiction reflects how successful treatment must address not only the clinical aspects of addiction but also the broader life context in which recovery takes place.

Prerequisites

  • Format: please utilize the MLA Checklist to ensure your paper or essay is in correct MLA format. If MLA format is incorrect, you will be asked to resubmit in correct format. You will receive a zero until the resubmission is received.
  • Topic: Your paper must be written about a person with an addiction problem based on one of the topics listed below. Papers that don’t meet this requirement will not be accepted. If you’d like to write about a topic related to addiction which is not listed, get with me to get it approved and added to the list.
  • Interview: at least one source must be an interview of a person who suffers or has been affected by the addiction you are writing about.
  • POV: This is a paper and not an essay, so it should be written in third person point of view (he, she, they). Papers that don’t meet this requirement will be returned to the student using the same process as incorrect MLA format.

Requirements

The Final draft of your paper must be a minimum of 1500 words (~4 pages) long, not including your Works Cited page, and should include the following structure:

    1. Introduction Paragraph:
      • Hook: Begin with a hook to engage the reader.
      • Bridge: Provide some background information about the person and addiction problem or problem you’re writing about.
      • Thesis Statement: End with a clear argumentative thesis statement that introduces the person and proposes a way to address their problem. Remember the template: [person’s name / description] + [their addiction] + [your proposed solution/approach].
    2. Body Paragraphs:
      • Background paragraph(s): Include at least one (1) background paragraph.
      • Argumentative paragraphs: Include at least three (3) argumentative paragraphs.
        • Paper must include at least three (3) quote structures with correctly formatted ITCs. Note: essays and papers may only contain one long quote structure, no longer than 75 words.
      • Example paragraph(s): Include at least one (1) example paragraph.
      • Topic Sentences: Focus on establishing a clear topic sentence for each body paragraph.
    3. Conclusion Paragraph:
      • Restatement of Thesis: restate your thesis statement to remind readers about your claim.
      • Summary of Findings: summarize the work you did in your body. Pay particular attention to the topics you identified in your topic sentences.
      • Call To Action: Ask the reader to take some sort of action based on the information in your paper, such as considering a different choice if they find themselves in a similar situation.
    4. Works Cited Page:
      • Correctly formatted Works Cited Page.
      • Paper must use a minimum of three (3) sources. Note: a prerequisite is that at least one source must be an interview of a person who suffers or has been affected by the addiction you are writing about.

Grading Criteria

For the Progress Check:

  • Word Count (50 points): 750 words minimum
  • Argumentative Thesis Statement (50 points total):
    • Debatable (10 points): Your thesis Statement is debatable.
    • Specific (10 points): Your thesis Statement is specific.
    • Concise (10 points): Your thesis Statement is concise and only one sentence long.
    • Template (10 points): Your thesis Statement follows the template ( [person’s name/description] + [their addiction] + [your proposed solution/approach] ).
    • Last Sentence (10 points): Your Thesis Statement is the last sentence in your introduction.

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For the Final Draft:

  • Word Count (30 points): 1500 words
  • Introduction (10 points): Introduction with Hook, Bridge, and Thesis Statement.
  • Body (31 points total): Body with at least 1 background paragraph, 3 argumentative paragraphs, and 1 example paragraph. Body paragraphs are graded in three areas: 1) Clear topic sentences, 2) effective structure (good length, flow, one main focus), and 3) effective function / content (which should match the paragraph type).
    • Background paragraph (10 points). Should provide effective context for the paper or essay’s topic.
    • Argumentative paragraphs (12 points). Each paragraph should introduce a main point in support of the claim, provide supporting points, and then include evidence.
    • Quote Structures (9 points): Within the evidence section of each argumentative paragraph, your paper or essay should include at least one quote structure with a correctly formatted ITC, for a total of three for the paper or essay. Remember: papers or essays in this course are limited to one long quote structure, of no more than 75 words.
    • Example paragraph (10 points). Should provide a concrete sequence that supports the main point of a preceding argumentative paragraph.
  • Conclusion (10 points): Conclusion with Restatement of Thesis, Summary of Findings, and Call to Action.
  • Works Cited Page (9 points): Your paper includes a correctly formatted Works Cited Page with at least three sources.

Instructions

Select a Person and Addiction: Choose a real person who has struggled with an addiction from the list provided below. This could be someone you know personally, a celebrity, or someone whose story you can research through interviews, documentaries, testimonials, or news articles.

Research the Individual: Learn about this person’s background, the nature of their addiction, what factors contributed to their struggle, and what (if any) treatment or recovery efforts they have attempted. Understand their specific circumstances and challenges.

Develop Your Argument: Based on your research, develop a specific, evidence-based argument for how this person could best be helped. Consider their unique situation, available resources, and what approaches might be most effective for their particular case.

Research Treatment Options: Investigate various treatment approaches, support systems, and interventions that could apply to this person’s situation. Look for evidence-based practices and real-world examples of successful treatment.

Write: Your paper should present the person’s story, analyze their addiction, and make a compelling argument for the best way to help them, supported by research and evidence. Your paper should be no less than 1500 words.

Possible Addiction Types and Example People

Choose a person who has struggled with one of the following addictions. The person may be someone you know. Some examples are provided to help you get started. If the addiction you would like to write about is not on this list, please confer with me so we can discuss possibly adding it to this list.

Substance Addictions:

  • Alcohol addiction – Jules from Recovery Centers of America [Source]
  • Nicotine addiction – Amanda B. from CDC Tips campaign [Source]
  • Caffeine addiction – Sadie, purchasing agent from Scientific American [Source]
  • Cocaine addiction – James (recovery testimonial) [Source]
  • Heroin addiction – Gina from Recovery Centers of America [Source]
  • Opioid painkiller addiction – Britton, US veteran from CDC [Source]
  • Methamphetamine addiction – Anonymous person from Mass.gov [Source]
  • Benzodiazepine addiction – Barry, recovering alcoholic [Source]
  • Sleeping pill addiction – Margaret from Scotland [Source]
  • Marijuana addiction – Anonymous person from Mass.gov [Source]

Behavioral Addictions:

  • Gambling addiction – Megan from Minnesota [Source]
  • Food addiction – Katie from Recovery Centers [Source]
  • Sugar addiction – (see food addiction examples)
  • Internet addiction – Sadie, purchasing agent [Source]
  • Social media addiction – (research needed for specific examples)
  • Video game addiction – Cam Adair, founder of Game Quitters [Source]
  • Shopping addiction – Anonymous UK woman from Elle magazine [Source]
  • Exercise addiction – Katherine Schreiber, age 28 [Source]
  • Work addiction (workaholism) – Anonymous person from Northpoint Washington [Source]
  • Sex/pornography addiction – Anonymous person from reSTART [Source]
  • Self-harm addiction (cutting) – Princess Diana (documented in biographies)
  • Plastic surgery addiction – (research needed for specific examples)
  • Tanning addiction – (research needed for specific examples)
  • Thrill-seeking/adrenaline addiction – (research needed for specific examples)
  • Bodybuilding addiction – (research needed for specific examples)
  • Love/relationship addiction – (research needed for specific examples)
  • Smartphone addiction – (research needed for specific examples)
  • Binge-watching addiction – (research needed for specific examples)

Note: The examples provided are starting points. You may choose any of these individuals or find other people who have struggled with these addictions. If you cannot find sources for certain addictions, please consult with your instructor about alternative options or additional research strategies.

Thesis Statement Criteria

One of the graded items for your Argumentative Paper on Addiction is a thesis statement.

If you review the Lecture Notes: Mastering Thesis Statements page and Lecture Notes: Argumentative Thesis Statements page, you see that there are some basic criteria to remember when constructing your thesis statement.

  • Your thesis statement should introduce the main claim of your essay or paper.
  • Your thesis statement should come at the end of your introduction paragraph.
  • Your thesis statement should be only one sentence long.
  • Your thesis statement should be debatable, specific, and concise.

Thesis Statement Template

Your thesis should present a specific argument about how to help the particular person you are writing about. Consider this template:

[Person’s name/description] + [their addiction] + [your proposed solution/approach]

Examples Using The Thesis Statement Template

Here are some examples to get you thinking:

  1. Katherine Schreiber’s exercise addiction could best be addressed through a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and gradual activity modification with professional supervision.
  2. Given Cam Adair’s specific circumstances and personality, his recovery from video game addiction was most effectively achieved through complete abstinence combined with building a new identity around helping others.
  3. Based on her background and family situation, the anonymous UK shopping addict featured in Elle magazine would benefit most from debt counseling combined with individual therapy to address underlying emotional triggers.

Conclusion

This assignment is an opportunity to engage deeply with the human side of addiction and develop empathy-based, evidence-informed approaches to helping real people overcome serious challenges. Your analysis should demonstrate not only an understanding of addiction as a complex condition but also the critical thinking skills needed to propose realistic, personalized solutions. By focusing on an individual’s story, you will gain insight into how addiction affects real lives and how thoughtful, well-researched interventions can make a meaningful difference in someone’s recovery journey.