Navigating the. Addiction. A Four-Letter Word!!! What is Addiction? Definition of Addiction: Definition of Addiction: (cont)

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1 Navigating the Addiction of What is Addiction? Addiction is a slow, gradual, insidious, elusive becoming! Caroline Knapp Presented by: Thomas W. O Reilly, MS, PCC-S Lakeshore Educational & Counseling Services A Four-Letter Word!!! (ask anyone who has one) Definition of Addiction: oaddiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry odysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations othis is reflected in the individual pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors o Addiction as a Disease: It is the Primary Disorder, not a Sx It is Treatable, not Curable It is Progressive It entails Relapse & Remission cycles It is Terminal, if left Untreated o Addiction is characterized by: Impairment in behavioral control Cravings Inability to consistently abstain Loss of awareness of problems with one s behaviors and relationships Behavioral addiction/addictive behavior: Addiction also refers to non-substance related compulsions, such as: Compulsive shopping Sex addiction/compulsive sex Overeating Problem gambling Computer addiction (Gaming, Social Networking) 1

2 Why Use Drugs? #1 Reason: They WORK!! Silence Inner Voices Alter their Mood or Thinking Escape from some Reality(Fantasy) Feel Alive Peer Pressure Experimenting, To have Fun Parental Modeling/Poor Coping Skills SOFT Addictions? Some Addictions are less harmful: Exercise Caffeine Chocolate Work Key issue is the degree of Impairment an addiction has on our Quality of Life (Need to get past Denial) Nature vs Nurture? AoD Addiction is due 50% to genetic predisposition and 50% to poor coping skills The children of addicts are 8X more likely to develop an AoD addiction Repeatedly abusing drugs or alcohol can permanently rewire your brain But Your genes are not your destiny Factors that Hasten Addictions: Vulnerability Family Hx, Behavior, & 1st Experiences Training Interval Trng; intermittent, intense use Intention Link a subjective experience with a subjective action; The reason(s) to use Meaning Using helps to organize life. My Friend? Recreational/Social Use: Never engage in dangerous behaviors. Never have problems as a result of their drinking. There is no such thing as the social / recreational use of illegal or prescription drugs. Substance Abuse: Recurrent use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations Recurrent use in situations that are physically hazardous Recurrent substance related legal problems Recurrent use despite social/relational problems caused or made worse by use 2

3 Substance Addiction: o Substance Addiction is characterized by: Impairment in behavioral control Cravings Inability to consistently abstain Loss of awareness of problems with one s behaviors and relationships Like other chronic diseases, addiction involves relapse & remission cycles Substance Dependence: Increased tolerance; need more/get less Withdrawal symptoms Use of larger amounts than intended Persistent desires/attempts to quit or control use - Unsuccessfully Time Spent: Obtaining, Using, and/or Recovering from use Things given up (Friends, Work, Fun) Use despite Physical &/or Psychological problems Please take the Self-Assessment which is in your Handout BRAIN RESPONSES TO ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS Alcohol and drug use Floods the brain with pleasure chemicals Brain may actually stop producing it s own pleasure chemicals Need more drugs to feel good Deprives the brain of warning chemicals Makes person feel like all is great; nothing can hurt them Normal Brain Transmission: Reward Pathway and Impact of a Drug : 3

4 Your Brain on DRUGS!!! Addiction is regarded as a Brain Disease Neural Pathways and Neurotransmitters are altered or destroyed (Plasticity) Emotional changes result (Desensitization or Lability) A similar process occurs with behavioral addictions: i.e. Gambling, Pornography With continued use: Tolerance Increases Reward Decreases (Law of Diminishing Return ) Withdrawal sx s Increase Brain Chemistry changes State Memory is established Rituals are developed Desires collide: Using vs Stopping Values change for the worse: Compulsive lying(to self & others) Morals begin to dissolve Boundaries are violated (Legal probs.) Myopic Focus Relationships change for the worse: Trust is eroded (Double Life) Self Esteem implodes New Friends, Hangouts, Interests Using switches from fun to Bondage Using to get high is replaced by using to feel normal; stop the pain Sense of Volitionality seems gone Peace & Joy give way to Guilt & Anger Self-care is neglected; Health suffers We grow in the direction of our focus! It is not essential to hit bottom The addict must want to act on their desire to begin Recover Process Identify which of the 5 Stages of Change they are in: Precontemplation Contemplation Preparation Action Maintenance Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Founded in Akron, OH (1935) Developed The 12 Steps/12 Traditions Built on Buddy System and surrender to God Since then, MANY similar groups to address a myriad of addictions 4

5 Develop your Emotional Intelligence Learn to Resolve Conflicts effectively Increase your capacity for Intimacy Learn to Cope with Life on Life s Terms Learn to Love yourself and your Life Imperative to define Warning signs of Relapse and Triggers to Relapse Radically change: People, Places, Things Commit to restoring core values: Honesty, Love, Purity, Selflessness Pray, Pray, Pray! A CRUCIAL ingredient to Recovery is a Sober Support System & Sponsor!! Alternative Treatments: Medications to treat Comorbid Issues (Chemical Imbalances) Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar D/O, etc. Medication to treat Addiction ECT EMDR AoD Therapy Detox, Residential, Outpatient Tx. What about Relapse? Relapse is a normal part of recovery Relapsing is not as important as learning from it & seeking to prevent it The Relapse Cycle begins in the mind long before the Act happens Get up, be honest, Do the next right thing! In Closing: Addiction is Cunning, Baffling and Powerful! Recovery Works; People Change! One Day at a Time! 5