W Addiction is when a person

does not have control over

H
what they are using or doing.

S
A
T
 WHY IT

?
IS
ADDICTION
Addiction can occur in many forms. Often, it is assumed that
physical dependence characterized by withdrawal symptoms is
required in order for someone to be diagnosed with an addiction
disorder, but the fact is that behavioral addiction can occur with all
the negative consequences in a person’s life minus the physical
issues faced by people who compulsively engage in drug and
alcohol abuse . It is the compulsive nature of the behavior that is
often indicative of a behavioral addiction, or process addiction, in
an individual.
 Why Are Certain Behaviors Considered

Addictions ?
Most people engage in hundreds
of different behaviors throughout
the day, each one with its own
set of consequences. In general,
people make choices about which
behavior to engage in next
relatively thoughtfully and with the
intent to improve their experience.

When the behavior becomes impulsive in nature and begins to contribute to the
development of a range of physical and mental health problems and the person is unable
to stop, it is termed an addiction.Does this mean that you can be addicted to any
behavior?
 1 GAMBLING

2 FOOD ~(DRUG)

3 VIDEO GAME

TYPES OF 4 SOCIAL MEDIA

ADDICTION 5 INTERNET & COMPUTER

6 WORK

7 MONEY

8 EXERCISE
 GAMBLING ADDICTION

Whether it’s going to the casino and playing the slot machines, staying up
for overnight poker games, gambling online, or sports betting, if the choice
is characterized by the following then it is termed a gambling addiction:

 Placing bets more and more frequently

 “Chasing” losses by continually betting beyond the ability to pay

 Feeling irritable or aggressive when unable to gamble or when losing

 Betting more than originally intended

 Being preoccupied with gambling

 FOOD ADDICTION

People who are addicted to food may develop a tolerance for

food, as is characteristic of people who are addicted to drugs
or alcohol. That is, they require more and more of their
favorite foods in order to experience the “high” they seek.

People who struggle with food addiction may be obese,

but people who have a normal BMI may also struggle
with the disorder.
Internet , video game & social media addiction

Compulsive video game play, social networking can interrupt a person’s ability to
connect positively with others and have healthy relationships, maintain responsibilities
at work, and make choices that support their physical and mental health (e.g., eating
regularly or healthfully, going to the doctor, etc.).

Ultimately, those who don’t get treatment may end up completely isolating themselves
from the real world, losing their ability to function, be with family, and achieve any goals
outside of the video game world.
 Three “C’s” of Addiction

Control
Chronicity
• Early social &
recreational use Compulsion • Natural
history of
 Eventual loss
of emotional & • Drug-seeking multiple
behavioral activities & relapses
control Craving  preceding
• Cognitive Addiction stable
distortions • Continued use recovery
(denial & despite • Possible
minimization) adverse relapse after
• Tolerance & consequences years of
Withdrawal= sobriety
Strictly defined
CD
DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION

Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing

brain disease that is characterized by compulsive
drug seeking and use, despite harmful
consequences.
It is considered a brain disease because drugs
change the brain—they change its structure and
how it works. These brain changes can be long-
lasting, and can lead to the harmful behaviors
seen in people who abuse drug.
WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS ?

To feel good
To feel better
To do better
Curiosity and “because
others are doing it.”
 Peer and School
Home and Family Friends and
acquaintances can have
The influence of the an increasingly strong
home environment, influence during
especially during adolescence. Academic
childhood, is a very failure can put a child
important factor at further risk for
using or becoming
addicted to drugs.
Common Characteristics of People Who
are Addicted
Unemployed or employed
Multiple or no criminal justice contacts.
Difficulty coping with stress or anger
Highly influenced by social peer group or a
loner
Difficulty handling high-risk relapse
situations or craves excitement
Emotional and psychological immaturity
Difficulty relating to family
Difficulty sustaining long-term
relationships
Educational and vocational deficits
PREVENTION
BEST
IS
THE
 Risk of drug abuse
increases greatly during
times of transition. In early
Why is adolescence, when children
advance from elementary
adolescence a through middle school, they
face new and challenging
critical time for social and academic
preventing drug situations. Often during this
period, children are
addiction? exposed to abusable
substances such as
cigarettes and alcohol for
the first time.
 Research-based programs prevent
drug addiction in youth
THE
PROGRAMS
ARE THREE TYPES
DESIGNED
FOR VARIOUS
AGES AND
PROGRAMS OF
CAN BE
DESIGNED UNIVERSAL PROGRAMS
FOR
INDIVIDUAL
OR GROUP SELECTIVE PROGRAMS
SETTINGS,
SUCH AS THE
SCHOOL AND INDICATED PROGRAMS
HOME.
 Medical consequences of drug
Addiction
 Cardiovascular disease

 Stroke

 Cancer
 HIV/AIDS

 Hepatitis B and C

 Lung disease

 Mental disorders
H ow can Addiction harm other people ?

Three of the more devastating and troubling consequences

of addiction are:

 Negative effects of prenatal drug exposure on infants and

children

 Negative effects of secondhand smoke

 Increased spread of infectious diseases

 What are some effects of specific abused
substances?

Nicotine Alcohol Marijuana

It is an It increases
Alcohol
addictive heart rate, can
consumption harm the lungs,
stimulant
can damage and can increase
found in
the brain and the risk of
cigarettes and psychosis in
most body
other forms those with an
organs.
of tobacco. underlying
vulnerability.
 Heroin Cocaine
It is a powerful opioid It is a short-acting
drug that produces stimulant, which can
euphoria and feelings of lead users to take the
relaxation. drug many times in a
single session (known
as a “binge”).
 YES ,
CAN ADDICTION

?
ADDICTION IS
A TREATABLE BE TREATED
SUCCESSFULLY
DISEASE

CAN BE ADDICTION NOT

CURED ?
ALWAYS
Addiction need not be a life sentence.

Does relapse to drug abuse

mean treatment has failed?
 How can medications help treat drug
addiction?
Different types of medications may be useful at different stages
of treatment to help a patient stop abusing drugs, stay in
treatment, and avoid relapse.

Treating Withdrawal

Staying in Treatment.

Preventing Relapse
 Treating Withdrawal
When patients first stop using drugs, they can experience a variety of physical and emotional
symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, as well as When patients
first stop using drugs, they can experience a variety of physical and emotional symptoms,
including depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, as well as restlessness or sleeplessness.
Certain treatment medications are designed to reduce these symptoms, which makes it easier
to stop the drug use.

Staying in Treatment
These medications act slowly to stave off drug cravings and
have a calming effect on body systems. They can help
patients focus on counseling and other psychotherapies
related to their drug treatment

Preventing Relapse
Science has taught us that stress, cues linked to the drug experience
(such as people, places, things, and moods), and exposure to drugs
are the most common triggers for relapse. Medications are being
developed to interfere with these triggers to help patients sustain
recovery
  Tobacco Addiction
Medications used • Nicotine replacement therapies
to treat Drug (available as a patch, inhaler, or gum)
• Bupropion
Addiction • Varenicline

 Opioid Addiction
• Methadone
 Alcohol and Drug Addiction • Buprenorphine
• Naltrexone
• Naltrexone
• Disulfiram
• Acamprosate
 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy seeks to help patients recognize, avoid, and cope with the
situations in which they are most likely to abuse drugs.

Contingency Management uses positive reinforcement such as providing rewards or

privileges for remaining drug free, for attending and participating in counseling sessions, or
for taking treatment medications as prescribed.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy uses strategies to evoke rapid and internally

motivated behavior change to stop drug use and facilitate treatment entry.

Family Therapy (especially for youth) approaches a person’s drug problems in the context
of family interactions and dynamics that may contribute to drug use and other risky
behaviors.

TREATMENT MUST ADDRESS THE WHOLE PERSON

So…
L et’s respect the
humanness of people
suffering and treat them !