Addictions and Addictive Behavior: Threats to Wellness

1. 11 Addictions and Addictive Behavior:Threats to Wellness

2. Objectives • Define addiction. • Distinguish addictions from habits, and identify the signs of addiction. • Discuss the addictive process, the physiology of addiction, and the biopsychosocial model of addiction. • Describe types of addictions. • Evaluate treatment and recovery options.

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

4. 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

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

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

7. Figure 11.1 Cycle of Psychological Addiction Figure 11.1

8. Model of Addiction • Biopsychosocial model – proposes that addiction is caused by a variety of factors operating together

9. Other Thoughts on Addiction • Biological or disease influences • Environmental influences • Social learning theory • Psychological factors

10. Figure 11.2 Risk Factors for Addiction Figure 11.2.1

11. Figure 11.2 Risk Factors for Addiction (continued) Figure 11.2.2

12. Figure 11.2 Risk Factors for Addiction (continued) Figure 11.2.3

13. Types of 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

14. Figure 11.3 Signs of Work Addiction Figure 11.3

15. 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

16. 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

17. Choosing a Treatment • The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) – Project MATCH • Three strategies for addiction treatment were studied: • Cognitive-behavioral therapy • Motivational psychology • 12-step programs • Conclusion was that focus for treatment selection should be on choosing a program that was complete

18. 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