Addictions Overview2 Hours
Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
Definition
Person, Activity or Substance which continues to be used to escape from negative emotions, situations or pain despite causing problems in one or more areas of life functioning
Pattern of Addiction
Recreational use/experimentation
Abuse
One or more of the following:
Failure to fulfill major obligations
Use when physically hazardous
Recurrent legal problems
Recurrent social or interpersonal problems
Dependence
Three or more of the following:
Tolerance
Withdrawal
Large amounts over a long period
Unsuccessful efforts to cut down
Time spent in obtaining the substance replaces social, occupational or recreational activities
Continued use despite adverse consequences
Types of Addictions
Chemical
Illicit Drugs
Alcohol
Prescriptions
Behavioral
Gambling
Sex
Bingeing/Purging/Starving
Interpersonal
Domestically Violent
Dependent/ Fatal Attraction
Patterns of Use
When
Continuous
Binge
Weekends
In response to overwhelming events
Increasing in response to tolerance
Gateway drugs
Increased intensity/quantity
Substitute addictions
Reasons for Use
Belonging
Boredom
Habit
Numbing emotional or physical pain
Psychiatric self-medication
Relaxation
Development of Addiction
Foundations of Health
Maslow’s Heirarchy
Common Characteristics of Addicts
Physiological
Poor Nutrition
Low Immunity
Lack of Rest
Physical Pain
Safety
Homelessness
Living in unsafe areas
Engaging in high-risk behaviors
Characteristic cont…
Love and Belonging
Only friend is their addiction
Relationships based on “What can you do for me?”
Isolated from caring supports
Need external validation
Self-Esteem
Lack of
Lost hope and motivation to achieve “ideal self”
Forgotten who he/she is
Thinking Patterns: Stinkin’ Thinkin’
Overly pessimistic
Need to control everything
Playing the victim/blaming others for feelings/situations
Need for immediate gratification
Feeling of entitlement— “Because I want it.”
Motivations
Keep coming back, it works if you work it.
Sit down, shut up and listen.
First things first
Keep it simple, stupid (K.I.S.S.)
It’s always easier to take somebody else’s inventory.
GOD: Good, Orderly Direction
HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
You have to give it away in order to keep it
Fake it til you make it
FEAR: False Expectations Appearing Real
EGO: Edging God Out!
Go to meetings when you want to, and go to meetings when don’t want to
We have a living problem, not a drinking problem
We have a thinking problem, not a drinking problem
Happiness is not getting what you want, it is wanting what you have.
Summary
Addiction
Can happen to anyone
Develops over time
Erodes health and happiness in most areas of life
Can be chemical, behavioral or interpersonal
The addiction is the addicts best friend
Recovery is not just getting clean, it is changing thoughts and behaviors to become “sober.”
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