addiction

PRIYANKA K
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
 ADDICTION
 Addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug,
activity, or substance, even though it is causing psychological and physical harm.

• The term addiction does not only refer to dependence on substances such as heroin or
cocaine. A person who cannot stop taking a particular drug or chemical has a substance
dependence.

• Some addictions also involve an inability to stop partaking in activities, such as gambling,
eating, or working. In these circumstances, a person has a behavioral addiction.
• Addiction is a chronic disease that can also result from taking medications. The overuse of
prescribed opioid painkillers, for example, causes 115 deaths every day in the United
States.
 However, in terms of substance addictions, some of the more common types of
addiction include:
• Alcohol addiction.
• Prescription drug addiction.
• Drug addiction.
 What types of drug are there?
• stimulants (e.g. cocaine)
• depressants (e.g. alcohol)
• opium-related painkillers (e.g. heroin)
• hallucinogens (e.g. LSD)
Types of Addiction

 Today, most experts recognize two types of addiction: Chemical addiction. This refers

to addiction that involves the use of substances. Behavioral addiction.
 On the face of it you might think that alcohol addiction is distinct and separate from an
addiction to a drug, such as cocaine or heroin.
 Indeed, there are obvious differences between the physical effects or health risks associated
with alcohol versus drug addiction.
 Alcohol addiction may lead to liver disease, heart disease, some forms of cancer, and damage
to the immune system.
 On the other hand, depending on which particular drug is involved, drug addiction may lead
to toxicity, overdose, dental decay, collapsed veins or acquiring HIV or hepatitis infections.
ALCHOHOL ADDICTION
 Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism, is a disease that affects people of
all walks of life.
 Experts have tried to pinpoint factors like genetics, sex, race, or socioeconomics
that may predispose someone to alcohol addiction.
 But it has no single cause. Psychological, genetic, and behavioral factors can all
contribute to having the disease.
 It’s important to note that alcoholism is a real disease.
 It can cause changes to the brain and neurochemistry, so a person with an alcohol
addiction may not be able to control their actions.
BEHAVIOUR ADDICTION
 This may help you identify a problem.
• Impulse Control and Addictive Behaviors. Impulse control is the ability to fight
temptation and stop using. ...
• Lying. Often, people struggling with addiction lie. ...
• Stealing. While in the throes of addiction, people steal as well. ...
• Manipulating. ...
• Obsessing. ...
• Seeking Addiction Treatment.
Why drug addiction is social problem?

 A common misconception surrounding drug addiction is that it solely affects the life
of the user.

 However, the idea that they aren’t hurting anyone except for themselves is an excuse
that many individuals who abuse drugs use in order to justify their addiction.

 Drug addiction is not a one-person phenomenon, and it creates a domino effect on

the lives of those around them.

 It is a social problem that normalizes drug use and affects individuals and their
families.
 What are the reasons for a person to become
addicted to a substance?

 Addiction is a multi-faceted condition, arising from the confluence of many

elements—including, of course, exposure to an addictive agent.

 It is more accurate to think of risk factors for the development of substance abuse
disorders, rather than direct causes. (There are also factors that protect individuals
against addiction.)

 There are few major casual factors of addiction.

 1. Biological factors
 Genes
Estimates vary but scientists find that genetic factors contribute about half the risk for
developing a substance use disorder. For example, one factor linked to vulnerability is variation in a gene
that determines the makeup of brain receptors for the neurotransmitter dopamine Another factor appears
to be the nature of the body’s hormonal response to stress.
 Physiological factors
Variations in liver enzymes that metabolize substances are known to influence one's risk
of alcohol use disorder.
 Gender
Males are more likely to develop substance use disorder than females, although the so-called
gender gap may be narrowing for alcohol use disorder, and females are more subject to intoxication
effects at lower doses of alcohol.
 2. Psychological Factors

 Personality factors.

Both impulsivity and sensation seeking have been linked to substance use and gambling disorders.
Impulsivity may be particularly related to the risk of relapse.

 Trauma and abuse.

Early exposure to significant adverse experience can contribute to the development of substance use
disorders by overwhelming an individual's coping ability, perhaps by sensitizing brain pathways of alarm/distress, or by
adding to the burden of stress.

 Mental health factors.

Conditions such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) increase the risk of addiction. Difficulties managing strong emotions are also linked to substance use.
 3. Environmental Factors

 Family factors.
While strong family relationships have been shown to protect against substance use disorders, several aspects of family
functioning or circumstances can contribute to addiction risk. Having a parent or sibling with an addictive disorder raises the risk, as
does a lack of parental supervision or support. Poor-quality or troubled parent-child relations and family disruptions such as divorce
also add to one's risk, as does sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. Research shows that marriage and taking on child-raising
responsibilities mitigate the risk of addiction.
 Accessibility factors.
Easy availability of alcohol or other substances in one’s home, at school or work, or in one’s community increases the
risk of repeated use.
 Peer group.
As profoundly social animals, people are strongly influenced by their peers and, in generally seeking to be liked by
them, may adopt many of their behaviors, particularly during adolescence. Positive social relationships, on the other hand, are known to
strongly protect against substance use.
 Employment status.
Having a job, and developing the skills for employment, exerts pressure for stability and provides financial and
psychological rewards that mitigate addiction risk.
TREATMENT

 Addiction treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Treatments may vary based on your

needs.

 You can choose the treatment that works best for you based on the substance
you're abusing, the level of care you need, your personal mental health needs, or
what health care options you can afford. 

 Here are some of the most common addiction treatments that have set patients on
a successful path to recovery.
1. Detoxification
 Medically-assisted detox allows you to rid your body of addictive substances in
a safe environment.

 This is beneficial because sometimes substance withdrawal can cause unpleasant

or even life-threatening physical symptoms.

 Because detox does not treat the underlying behavioral causes of the addiction, it
is typically used in combination with other therapies.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
 According to American Addiction Centers, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
is a valuable treatment tool because it can be used for many different types of
addiction including, but not limited to, food addiction, alcohol addiction, and
prescription drug addiction.

 Not only can CBT help you recognize your unhealthy behavioral patterns, but it
can also help you learn to identify triggers and develop coping skills. CBT can
be combined with other therapeutic techniques as well.
3. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
 Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) could help you recognize your
negative thoughts and give you ways to combat feelings of self-defeat.

 The goal of REBT is to help you realize that the power of rational thinking lies
within yourself and is not related to external situations or stressors.
4.Contingency Management
 Contingency Management (CM) can be used to treat a wide variety of addictions
including alcohol, narcotics, and tobacco.

 Contingency management therapy reinforces your positive behavior (ie

maintaining sobriety) by giving you tangible rewards. 

 This type of treatment has been used successfully to combat relapse, according
to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
5. 12-Step Facilitation

 Twelve-step facilitation therapy ("12-step programs") can be used to treat alcohol and substance abuse.

 It is a form of group therapy that includes recognition that addiction has several negative consequences
that can be social, emotional, spiritual and physical.

 This type of therapy begins with acceptance, then moves on to surrender to a higher power, then
eventually transitions to involvement in consistent group meetings.

 Programs like the popular Alcoholics Anonymous use group meetings for discussion and mutual
support.
Three key ideas predominate:

(1) Acceptance, which includes the realization that drug addiction is a chronic, progressive
disease over which one has no control, that life has become unmanageable because of drugs, that
willpower alone is insufficient to overcome the problem, and that abstinence is the only
alternative;

(2) Surrender, which involves giving oneself over to a higher power, accepting the fellowship
and support structure of other recovering addicted individuals, and following the recovery
activities laid out by the 12-step program; and

(3) Active involvement in 12-step meetings and related activities. While the efficacy of 12-step
programs (and 12-step facilitation) in treating alcohol dependence has been established, the
research on its usefulness for other forms of substance abuse is more preliminary, but the
treatment appears promising for helping drug abusers sustain recovery.
6. Treatment with Medication
 Medication can play an important role in recovery when combined with
behavioral therapies.

 Certain medications can be used to reduce cravings, improve mood, and decrease
addictive behaviors.

 For example, the FDA recently approved lofexidine to help reduce cravings and
withdrawal symptoms in patients receiving treatment for opioid addiction.
Medications like acamprosate can help reduce drinking behavior.
 Rehabilitation programs

Few types of facility can provide a therapeutic environment, including:

 Short-term residential treatment: This focuses on detoxification and preparing an individual for a longer period within a

therapeutic community through intensive counseling.

 Therapeutic communities: A person seeking long-term treatment for severe forms of addictive disorder would live in a

residence for between 6 and 12 months with on-site staff and others in recovery. The community and staff serve as key factors in

recovery from and changes in attitudes and behaviors toward drug use.

 Recovery housing: This provides a supervised, short-term stay in housing to help people engage with responsibilities and adapt

to a new, independent life without on-going substance use. Recovery housing includes advice on handling finances and finding

work, as well as providing the connection between a person during the final stages of recovery and community support services.
THANK YOU