Addiction Health Education- Ms. Davenport

Addiction – continued involvement with a substance or activity despite ongoing negative consequences Physiological addiction Psychological addiction Defining Addiction

Habit versus Addiction Habit – repeated behavior in which the repetition may be unconscious Compulsion – if the habit occurs by compulsion and considerable discomfort is experienced if the behavior is not performed, then the repetition or habit is considered an addiction Habit versus Addiction

Signs of Addiction Four common symptoms: Obsession Loss of control Negative consequences Denial Signs of Addiction

The Addictive Process “Nurturing through avoidance” The physiology of addiction: Neurotransmitters Tolerance Withdrawal The Addictive Process

Figure 11.1 Cycle of Psychological Addiction

Process addictions – behaviors known to be addictive because they are mood altering: Money addictions Compulsive gambling Compulsive shopping and borrowing Work addiction Exercise: Addictive exercisers Muscle dysmorphia Internet Sexual Multiple Types of Addiction

How Addiction Affects Family and Friends Codependence – a person is “addicted to the addict”; they assume responsibility for meeting the addict’s need and neglect their own Enablers – people who knowingly or unknowingly protect addicts from the natural consequences of their actions How Addiction Affects Family and Friends

Treatment for and Recovery from Addiction Intervention – planned process of confrontation by people who are important to the addict; its purpose is to allow the addict to see the destructive nature of the addiction Treatment: Abstinence – refraining from the addictive behavior Detoxification – adjustment physically and congnitively to being free from the influence of addiction Treatment for and Recovery from Addiction

Relapse Isolated or complete return to addictive behavior Relapse prevention requires the addict and significant others to recognize the signs of imminent relapse and to develop a plan for responding to the signs Relapse is not a failure to change or a lack of desire to stay well Relapse

Choosing a Treatment Three strategies for addiction treatment: Cognitive-behavioral therapy Motivational psychology 12-step programs Choosing a Treatment