Chemical Dependency

Tolerance: Needing more and more to get the same feeling or “high”. In order for someone to be addicted there must be evidence of withdrawal when the person stops taking the drug. Withdrawal: Symptoms people feel when they can’t get the drug they’re addicted to.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms Shaking Nervous Irritation Headaches Sleep problems Sweating Nausea

Does everyone become addicted? NO! People differ in how prone they are to addiction. If you are a vulnerable type person, you may get addicted very fast.

T = Trial R = Recreation A = Abuse P = Pinned down

Dysfunctional Resorting to unhealthy behaviors to get needs met. Families that are dysfunctional tend to follow certain roles.

Lets look at America’s favorite dysfunctional family!

Chief Enabler/Co-dependent Must do everything to preserve the family unit. Usually the spouse of the addict. –Covers up things to avoid shame. –Blames self. –Feels only she can keep family together.

Hero Feels they must overachieve to prove to the world that family is okay. –Works hard –Over-achiever with a low self-esteem –Appears to be in total control

Scapegoat Will do anything to get attention. Not motivated to work hard. Usually receives the blame for all family problems. –Acting out and defying authority. –Valuing peer relationships –Acts tough to mask hidden feelings of rejection.

Mascot Person’s role is to provide fun and humor with in the family. –Provides distraction –Does anything to attract attention. –Clowns around

Lost Child Tends to get lost in the shuffle –Feels invisible –Feelings not important –Doesn’t need much attention, which causes everyone to assume things are fine.

What can be done to help? Organizations –Al-Anon/Alateen –Narcotics Anonymous –ASAC School resources –Counselor –Prevention Specialist –Nurse Hospitals –Rehab –Support Groups

The important thing is for the person to not try to handle it on their own. The idea of a support group will aid the person in allowing them to unburden themselves.

Problems with illegal substances aren’t the end of the world if the person has a support system and wants to get help.