Addictive Behavior

1. Addictive Behavior

2. Addiction Any pathological relationship to any mood altering experience that has life damaging consequences. John Bradshaw

3. Addiction • Primary Illness • Progressive • Permanent • Predictable • Persuasive • Terminal

4. Substance Addictions • Drugs • Alcohol • Nicotine • Food Abuse Compulsive overeating, may lead to obesity Bulimia nervosa, binge/purge syndrome Anorexia nervosa, self-imposed starvation Chronic dieting, thin/fat syndrome

5. Activity Addictions • Work • Gambling • Spending • Power • Exercise

6. Thought Addictions • Obsessive thinking • Obsessive/compulsive behaviors • Worry – a blend of above

7. People Addictions • Relationship • Love • Sexual

8. Feeling Addictions • Rage • Fear • Misery • Guilt

9. Codependency Codependency is a pattern of painful dependency on compulsive behaviors and on approval from others in an attempt to find safety, self-worth and identity. Recovery is possible. Panel of professionals at the First Conference on Codependency in Scottsdale Arizona in August 1989

10. Characteristics of Codependency Difficulty in accurately identifying feelings Lack of personal boundaries

11. Characteristics of Codependency Clinging Relationships Relationship addictions Difficulty in forming or maintaining close or intimate relationships

12. Characteristics of Codependency Rigidity in behavior and/or attitudes Difficulty in adjusting to change Control issues Physical illnesses

13. Characteristics of Codependency Caretaking as a form of control Indispensable Martyr Feelings Out of touch distorted Feeling overly responsible for other people’s behavior and feelings

14. Characteristics of Codependency Loss of morality Difficulty in making decisions Feeling powerless

15. Characteristics of Codependency A basic sense of shame and low self-esteem Avoidance of conflict Constant need for other’s approval.

16. Enabler A person who makes it possible (easier and more comfortable) for another person to continue their addictive behavior. Enabling behavior can be demonstrated in relation to a friend, parent, spouse, child, work partner, or neighbor.

17. Don’t be One Enabler • Don’t make excuses to cover up drunken behavior. • Don’t clean up after them when they make a mess while abusing drugs or alcohol. • Don’t believe repeated promises.

18. Be One Friend • Seek advice from professionals if you are worried about a friend’s drinking/drug-taking. • Take action promptly. • Recognize that you are affected by your friend’s behavior.

19. Enabling Behaviors(Denial) • He/she is not an alcoholic/chemically dependent (allows the person to continue, expects the person to use self-control)

20. Enabling Behaviors(Denial) • Drinking/using with the chemically dependent person

21. Enabling Behaviors(Rationalization) • Justifying the alcohol/drug use by agreeing with or accepting the excuses (rationalizations) of the user.

22. Enabling Behaviors(Denial and Rationalization) Avoiding the Problem: • Failing to identify or express feelings (“stuffing” feelings) • Keeping “peace at any price” • Tranquilizing feelings with medications, food, work

23. Enabling Behaviors(Rationalizations) Minimizing • “He/she doesn’t use/drink that much or that often” • “It is not that bad…”

24. Enabling Behaviors Protecting • From consequences of his/her actions • The image of the dependent • The image of the family, parents, employer • The person from pain • Self from pain

25. Enabling Behaviors • Blaming • Lecturing • arguing

26. Enabling Behaviors Feeling Superior: • Treating the dependent like a child

27. Enabling Behaviors Controlling • “Let’s skip the party!” • “Let’s not go to that bar.” • “Let’s not have Thanksgiving at our house this year.”

28. Enabling Behaviors Waiting and enduring: “It’s just a phase he/she is going through; it will pass.”

29. Enabling Behaviors Being overly responsible: • Taking on his/her responsibilities • Doing the things he/she should be able to do for him/herself.

30. The Cycle of Addiction 6.Crash- Let-down withdrawal • Emotional Pain • Guilt, fear, shame • Childhood learning • to “Stuff pain

31. Myths and Realities of Alcoholism Myth: Alcohol is predominately a sedative or depressant drug. Reality: Alcohol’s pharmacological effects change with the amount drunk. In small quantities alcohol is a stimulant. In large quantities, alcohol acts as a sedative. It is loaded with calories.

32. Myths and Realities of Alcoholism Myth: Alcohol is an addictive drug, and anyone who drinks long and hard enough will become addicted. Reality: Alcohol is selectively addictive; it is addictive for only a minority of its users, namely, alcoholics. Most people can drink occasionally, daily, even heavily, without becoming addicted to alcohol. Others will become addicted no matter how much they drink.

33. Myths and Realities of Alcoholism Myth: When the alcoholic is drinking, he/she reveals their true personality. Reality: Alcohol’s effect on the brain causes severe psychological and emotional distortions of the normal personality. Sobriety reveals the alcoholic’s true personality.

34. Myths and Realities of Alcoholism Myth: The fact that alcoholics often continue to be depressed, anxious, irritable, and unhappy after they stop drinking is evidence that their disease is caused by psychological problems. Fact: Alcoholics who continue to be depressed etc. after they stop drinking are actually suffering from a phenomenon called “the protracted withdrawal syndrome.” They physical damage caused by years of excessive drinking has not been complete reversed. They need more help.

35. Myths and Realities of Alcoholism Myth: “I drive better after a few drinks.” Reality: Even professional driver’s abilities diminish sharply at levels as low as 0.03%...just a few drinks. Judgment is affected, so people only think they are driving better, when they are much worse.

36. Myths and Realities of Alcoholism Myth: People are friendlier when they are drunk. Reality: Maybe, but they are also more hostile, dangerous, criminal, homicidal and more suicidal. ½ of all murders 1/3 of all suicides

37. Myths and Realities of Alcoholism Myth: It is rude to refuse a drink. Reality: It is rude to push a drink on someone who doesn’t want it or shouldn’t have it.

38. College Statistics • 95% of violent crime and 53% of all injuries on campus are alcohol related. • Alcohol is implicated in 41% of all academic problems and 28% of dropouts. • 240,000-350,000 of current 12 million undergraduates will die from alcohol related causes – more than those who will get MAs and PHDs combined. • 60% of college women with STDs (including AIDS) were under the influence of alcohol when they had intercourse. • 90% of all campus rapes occur when alcohol is being used.

39. About Alcoholic Substances • A 12 ounce can of domestic beer has as much alcohol as a shot (1.5oz) of 80 proof whisky, gin, or vodka or 5 ounces of wine. • Many imported beers, “ice beers” and microbrewed beers contain 6% alcohol (sometimes much more), so 12 oz. Is more potent than a shot of liquor. • Some malt liquors pack nearly twice as much alcohol per ounce as regular beer.