1. What is it? What causes it? What can we do about it?

2. A chronic, relapsing behavioral disorder.
Pattern: Remissions and relapses
Progression theories:
Gateway progression
Continuum of drug use
“Maturing out”

3. Tolerance
Physiological dependence
Psychological dependence (habituation)
Craving

4. There are, (and this list is not limited,)
Drug Addiction is the most talked about but it is just one and many other addictions can be dangerous.
There are, (and this list is not limited,)
Alcohol Addiction
Tobacco Addiction
Food Addictions
Gambling Addictions
Sex Addiction
Internet Addiction

5. With regards to Drug Use some substances are more likely to be associated with addiction than others, but there are many exceptions both ways.
Heroin
Cocaine
Methamphetamine
Ecstasy
Alcohol
Psilocybin Mushrooms
Marijuana
PCP

6. The decision Denial met by intervention or reality Cognitive changes
Pre-contemplation: No problem!
Contemplation: Maybe there’s a problem…
Preparation
Action
Maintenance
Cognitive therapy: Motivational interviewing

7. Abstinence: The 12-step approach Controlled use Harm reduction
Substitute addictions
Methadone
Gum-chewing
Needle exchanges
Water supply

8. Detoxification (Detox)
“Cold turkey”
Gradual
With pharmacological support
Active treatment
Relapse prevention

9. Self-treatment (“spontaneous remission”)
Perhaps 20% follow this route.
Self-treatment often requires multiple attempts: Learning to quit.
For 57%, quitting is the result of cost-benefits analysis.
For 29%, the change is immediate.

10. Sometimes because of “bottoming out”
Positive life changes: marriage, childbearing, religious encounter
Negative life changes: health problems, social or legal consequences of drug use, death of a friend

11. Self-help groups like AA
Twelve Steps
Peer identification and support
Sober social relationships
Residential treatment
Hospitalization
The therapeutic community
Milieu therapy
Short-term residential programs
Faith-based programs
Salvation Army
Teen Challenge

12. Risk of relapse is reduced by
Frequent review of the decision
Avoiding drug-related cues by moving and dumping drug-using friends
Social connections with non-users
Getting a job
Learning substitute activities
Developing structure for life

13. If you, or somebody you know needs help, help them get it.
See your health care professional.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.