1. Dynamics of Addiction Presentation by Timothy Bracaglia, BASW,
MSW Candidate, CADC Candidate

2. What is addiction?
A problematic pattern of use of an intoxicating substance leading to clinically significant impairment or distress (APA, 2013).
A primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, and memory in which an individual pathologically pursues rewards and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors which leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations (ASAM, 2011).

3. How Does Addiction Form?
Dopamine: the motivation neurotransmitter
Subjective reward / feeling of pleasure
Survival of species
.) A user takes a drug
Dopamine is activated  sense of reward
.) User seeks continued dopamine releases / rewards
.) Tolerance  need for larger dose

4. Dope – Dopamine – Dopey Decisions
Once addicted: the drug becomes perceived as necessary
Dopamine
Shift in priorities … Guilt
Addicted: When the addict’s neurological need for the drug trumps all else.

5. A Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Malady
Biological
Withdrawal, use to cope with pain / self-medication, cirrhosis, etc.
Psychological
Underlying psychological issues / self-medication, psychological withdrawal symptoms, etc.
Social
Loss of friends / family / loved ones’ support, social circle becomes using peers, etc.
Spiritual
“spiritual bankruptcy”, loss of faith, resentment towards self, others, higher power, etc.

6. The Chemically Dependent Family System – 6 Roles:
The Addict
Individual with the SUD
Center of attention
The Hero
Attempts to “cover-up”
Guilt, fear, shame
Denial
The Mascot
The jester / people-pleaser
Inappropriate humor as a coping method
Embarrassment, shame, anger

7. The Chemically Dependent Family System – 6 Roles: (continued)
The Lost Child
Quiet & reserved; “out of the way”
Avoids discussion of the issue
Guilt, loneliness, neglect, anger
The Scapegoat
Trouble maker
Craves attention
Shame, guilt, emptiness
The Enabler (Caretaker)
Pilots the family system
Makes excuses for behaviors of others - denial
Inadequacy, fear, helplessness

8. Spirituality and Recovery…
Clients with higher scores on measures of spirituality are more likely to be abstinent following treatment than those with lower scores (Waters and Shafer, 2005; Miller, 1998).
Connectedness to self, others, and the universe
Spirituality is a protective factor against SUDs
Spirituality is a strength for those recovering from SUDs

9. Thank You For Being Here!
Armed with knowledge, dedication, and love; together we will make a difference in helping those suffering from substance use disorders find recovery.
Thank You For Being Here!