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Addiction: Recognizing the Problem

Addiction: Recognizing the Problem. Addiction is one of the most costly public health problems in the United States. It is a progressive syndrome, which means that it increases in severity over time unless it is treated.

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Addiction: Recognizing the Problem

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  1. Addiction: Recognizing the Problem • Addiction is one of the most costly public health problems in the United States. • It is a progressive syndrome, which means that it increases in severity over time unless it is treated. • Substance abuse is characterized by frequent relapse, or return to the abused substance. • Substance abusers often make repeated attempts to quit before they are successful

  2. Addiction • The first step in getting help with an addiction is to recognize that a problem exists • Sometimes it is the people close to the addict or alcoholic who first recognize the problem or it could be the addict himself or herself. • In either case there are clear-cut warning signs of addiction

  3. Warning Signs • Continual concern about where the next “fix” drink or pill, for example will come from • Choosing friends who can supply the addictive substance • Changes in appearance or personal habits • Irritability, nervousness, personality changes or mood swings • Violent behavior • Black-outs • Needing increasing amounts of a substance to feel “normal”

  4. Phase of Addiction • Early Phase/Use • Thinks about alcohol • Talks to all their friends about how much fun they had using alcohol • Want to go out and drink again • Talks more about getting drunk with friends • When they go out with friends all they want to do is drink • Feels good when drinking • Jealous if friends drink without them • Feels alone when he/she is not drinking

  5. Phases of Addiction • Middle Phase/ ABUSE • Depends on alcohol for a social life • Won’t go to a party without drinking • Spends more free time drinking alcohol • Friends warn them that they are drinking too much • Family sets rules for he/she to stop drinking • Grades start to fall • Skips school to drink • Gets depressed when not drinking • Participates in risky behaviors

  6. Phases of Addiction • Late Phase/ADDICTION • Relies on alcohol for self esteem • Depends on alcohol for social support • Unreasonable fear of loss • Loses friends because they try to get them to stop drinking, now they drink alone • Family threatens to send them away to drug treatment facility • Gets suspend/expulsion from school because of alcohol • Total life revolves around alcohol/next drink • Experiences withdrawal symptoms when not drinking • Gets into accidents, injuries to self and may injure other due to alcohol

  7. The Slide into Addiction • First use or occasional use • Occasional trouble with the drug • Regular use of the drug • Multiple drug use • Increasing dependency • Total dependency

  8. Intervention • Is the interruption of the addiction continuum before the addict or alcoholic hits bottom • Consists of meeting between family members or other significant people in the addicts life and a drug counselor • These take place without the addict knowing • The next step is a surprise meeting with the addict that forces the person to face the seriousness of his or her addiction. • There is a plan for immediate treatment after the meeting takes place

  9. The Recovery Continuum • Recovery means learning to live an alcohol free or drug free life. • It is a process that happens over time • A recovering person never says, “I am cured”, but rather “ I am recovering” • It is an on-going, lifelong process. • It happens at different rates and in different ways for different people. • Many will remain drug free, but RELAPSES, slips from recovery, or periodic returns to drinking and drug use, occur. • No matter how many times a person relapses, RECOVERY is always there

  10. Recovery Continuum • Detoxification- the removal of all drugs from the body • This should take place under medical supervision • Involves restoring the person’s mental health and learning to build healthy relationships • Total ABSTINENCE from mood-altering drugs including alcohol

  11. Treatment Options • Support Groups- group of people who share a common problem and work together to help one another. • Meetings are help frequently an all over the world • Meetings are confidential and members can remain anonymous because no one gives last name and its FREE • AA, CA, NA

  12. Treatment • Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers • Many specialize in treating teenagers with addictions • Either privately owned, or state and community alcoholism and mental health clinics • Since drug and alcohol dependence are considered disease, some health insurance plans may cover at least some of the cost • Detox Units • In-patient Treatment • Out-patient Treatment • Continuing Programs • Halfway Houses

  13. Families dealing with Addiction • When someone in a family has a drug dependency, other members of the family must learn to cope with the addict’s problems. • There are many Support groups for people involved in the lives of alcoholics and other drug addicts • AL-ANON- worldwide self-help for people who are close to alcoholics • It focuses on detachment or pulling back form the involvement in someone else’s addiction • ALATEEN- support program for people ages 12 to 20 whose parent, other family members, or friends having drinking problems

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