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TWLOHA – Cornell University Conference Discussion:. Addiction. What qualifies as an addiction?. Compulsive behavior/ impulsive behavior Develop “need” for addicted thing We need to break down the stigmas Socially acceptable addictions Go to an AA meeting if you get a chance.
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TWLOHA – Cornell University Conference Discussion: Addiction
What qualifies as an addiction? • Compulsive behavior/ impulsive behavior • Develop “need” for addicted thing • We need to break down the stigmas • Socially acceptable addictions • Go to an AA meeting if you get a chance
What can we be addicted to? Pain killers, attention, relationships, self-image, alternate reality gaming, facebook, food, cigarettes, pain, drugs and alcohol, feelings, porn/sex, shopping, hoarding, TV, caffeine
Where does it start? Why does someone suffer from it? It’s an escape; a coping mechanism
Common Myths: • We believe myths whether or not we are struggling • Addicts are bad people • It’s an issue of willpower • It’s a choice • We still believe you can just stop • Attention seekers • Addicts will never quit • They don’t want the help they’ll quit when they want
A Biophysical Disease: • Biological, genetic, psychological, and social factors • “Co-morbidity” =problems come together in packages
Addition Risk Factors: • Increases after tragedy or some experience • No single factor determines if someone will become addicted
From Abuse to Dependence: • Non-psychological – physical • Psychological – emotional • Psychological withdrawals present physically • Make everything better, until it makes everything much worse
Marks of Addiction: • Never static • Tolerance • Withdrawal keeps addiction going • Trying to cut down, but it’s not working • Takes up too much time, or more time • Continuation despite adverse affects • Four stages: • Denial- it’s really not that bad • Minimize – make it seem less bad • Rationalize – fund ways to make it ok • Justify – deserve to feel better (entitlement)
Addiction Works: • There is a payoff • Provides a sense of relief • Sense of control= re-creation • Re-creates the world you want
Dealing with Addiction: Two Needs • Reality: have to engage with reality and speak with honesty. • Compassion: connect with their hurt. • With only reality, you may push more into shame • With compassion only, you enable • You don’t get to speak reality without compassion • We need to balance
Finding Recovery:Take Step One • Step One: • Admit you are powerless over your addiction and you life has become unmanageable. • Most addicts can’t admit they can’t deal with their problems even if they can admit they have one • Need something to put in the place of an addiction if it is to stop