Why People Become Addicted to ATODs (Alcohol, Tobacco, Other Drugs)

EMOTION/Mood Regulation Control: drugs are an attempt to avoid (control) emotions (pain). Control: drugs are an attempt to avoid (control) emotions (pain). –Drug use produces a predictable, consistent mood change (brain chemicals). –“They Work.” –Drug use (addiction) is an act of turning inward (isolation) and avoidance, or escape.

Pleasure/Pain Cycle Pain/shame/guilt Pleasure (mood change) **passive approach

Human Behavioral Psychology Law If something increases one’s pleasure OR decreases his/her discomfort, then the person is likely to repeat that behavior. If something increases one’s pleasure OR decreases his/her discomfort, then the person is likely to repeat that behavior. –Converse is also true.

Human Behavioral Psychology Law Any IMMEDIATE consequence(reward) has a stronger impact on behavior than a delayed consequence. Any IMMEDIATE consequence(reward) has a stronger impact on behavior than a delayed consequence. –Instant gratification vs. delayed gratification

Theories/Risk Factors Categories Include: Categories Include: –Biological –Psychological –Sociological

BIOLOGICAL (genetic) Metabolic: easier development of tolerance (brain & liver); low level response (liver). Metabolic: easier development of tolerance (brain & liver); low level response (liver). Metabolic differences in brain (i.e.,stress) Metabolic differences in brain (i.e.,stress) Biological family history Biological family history ADD & other learning difficulties ADD & other learning difficulties Mood-based disorders (30% – 60% comorbidity) yr. olds experiencing major depression within the past year were 35 – 60% more likely to INITIATE ATOD use (SAMHSA, 2007). Mood-based disorders (30% – 60% comorbidity) yr. olds experiencing major depression within the past year were 35 – 60% more likely to INITIATE ATOD use (SAMHSA, 2007).

PSYCHOLOGICAL (behavioral) Low self-esteem/poor sense of self Low self-esteem/poor sense of self Hopelessness, pessimism, coping (stress) Hopelessness, pessimism, coping (stress) Affiliations w/ peers displaying deviant behaviors Affiliations w/ peers displaying deviant behaviors Post-traumatic stress syndrome Post-traumatic stress syndrome External locus of control (looking outside oneself for solutions) External locus of control (looking outside oneself for solutions)

PSYCHOLOGICAL (cont.)  Perceptions of approval for drug use in family, work, school, peers, community Boredom? Boredom? “Addictive Personality”??? “Addictive Personality”??? –Harm avoidant –Reward dependent –Novelty seeking

ENVIRONMENTAL (sociological) Availability of drugs Availability of drugs Parental drug use/abuse Parental drug use/abuse Chaotic/dysfunctional family dynamics Chaotic/dysfunctional family dynamics Single parent homes - parenting skills Single parent homes - parenting skills Group norms Group norms Misperception of peer norms Misperception of peer norms Chronic stress Chronic stress

ENVIRONMENTAL (cont.) Alienation/isolation/emptiness Alienation/isolation/emptiness Social reinforcement Social reinforcement Cultural norms/rules Cultural norms/rules Expectancies (likelihood & desirability of positive and negative consequences) Expectancies (likelihood & desirability of positive and negative consequences)

Theories/Risk Factors No one specific cause of addiction. No one specific cause of addiction. –Multiple, confounding etiologies

PROTECTIVE FACTORS Loving, supportive, healthy family relationships/environment. Loving, supportive, healthy family relationships/environment. Parents, siblings, & peers who don’t use drugs. Parents, siblings, & peers who don’t use drugs. EDUCATION EDUCATION High self-esteem High self-esteem

Why do people become addicted to alcohol & drugs? Genetic/family history? Genetic/family history? Stress - coping Stress - coping Immediate gratification Immediate gratification Pleasure/pain principle Pleasure/pain principle –Has elements of BOTH a disease and behavioral problem –Utilizes human instinctual/survival mechanisms

Take Home Messages Everyone starts & continues using drugs for different reasons. Everyone starts & continues using drugs for different reasons. Each addict has a UNIQUE combination of various risk factors. Each addict has a UNIQUE combination of various risk factors. Most prevalent views on addiction & treatment don’t care why one uses drugs. Most prevalent views on addiction & treatment don’t care why one uses drugs. –Uncovering why someone uses drugs is very important for successful recovery.