Lecture Two Addiction

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Lecture Two Addiction

Uploaded by

Benedicta Kyei Baffour

Available Formats

Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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WORKING WITH

PEOPLE SUFFERING
FROM ADDICTION
DEFINITION
 Addiction is defined as a primary, chronic disease of the brain that
leads to detrimental behavior and is characterized by the inability to
consistently abstain, impaired behavioral control, craving, and
dysfunctional emotional response ( American Society of medicine
2011).

 Addiction is an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a

behavior even though it may cause psychological or physical harm.
 QUESTION: What are some of the strangest addictions you have
heard of?
TYPES OF ADDICTION
 Alcohol and Drug addiction
 Gambling addiction
 Exercising and extreme sports
 Shopping
 Internet addiction
 Pornography addiction
 Sex addiction
 Game Addiction
 Food addiction
The range of things you can get addicted to
CAUSES OF ADDICTION
 Genetic factors ( addiction sometimes run through the family)
 Environmental influences ( an environment where one grew can play
a vital role)
 Psychological factors ( anxiety, depression, trauma etc)
 Social factors ( peer pressure)
 Economic factors ( unemployment and economic hardships)
GENETIC FACTORS
 Genetic factors are the effects of a person's genes on their
vulnerability to addiction.
 Certain genetic traits can make someone more prone to developing
addictive behaviors.
 Recognizing genetic factors is crucial for effective prevention and
treatment strategies.
 For example, Research have shown children with alcoholic parents are
4 times as likely to engage in excessive drinking at some point in their
life. This can be attributed to genetic factors related to addiction or
the normalization of unhealthy drinking habits in their family.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES
 Environmental factors are external influences in a person's
surroundings that can contribute to the development of addiction.
 The family or neighbourhood in which a person grows up can
influence their attitude towards addiction.
 An example, children with lack of parental supervision, inconsistent
discipline, or exposure to substance use within the family can
contribute to addiction.
 Also, high-stress academic or work environments may contribute to
the use of substances as a means of stress relief or performance
enhancement.
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS ( ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, TRAUMA, LOW SELF-ESTEEM ETC)

 Psychological factors of addiction refer to aspects related to an

individual's mental and emotional state that contribute to the
development of addictive behaviors.
 Conditions such as depression, anxiety, and other mental health
disorders are closely linked to addiction.
 For instance, an individual dealing with depression or anxiety will use
substances to self-medicate to alleviate symptoms of depression or
anxiety.
 Also, individuals with low self-esteem will opt to use illicit drugs like
fentanyl, marijuana to boost self confidence
SOCIAL FACTORS
 Social factors of addiction are about how the people around can
contribute to the development, continuation, or worsening of
addictive habits.
 For instance, the portrayal of substance use in media, including tiktok,
Instagram, snapchat, movies, TV shows, and advertisements.
 Observing the behavior of influential figures, such as parents, siblings,
or role models, who engage in substance use.
 Individuals may be more likely to mimic the behavior of those they
look up to or admire.
ECONOMIC FACTORS
 Economic factors, specifically unemployment and economic
hardships, can significantly influence addiction.
 Losing a job or experiencing unemployment can lead to increased
stress, financial strain, and a sense of uncertainty about the future.
 People facing unemployment may be more vulnerable to turning to
substances as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression related
to job loss.
 Individuals in financially challenging situations may turn to substances
for temporary relief, escape, or to cope with the emotional toll of
economic hardship.
SIGNS OF ADDICTION
 Lack of self-control.
 Telling of lies to explain lost time.
 Withdrawing from responsibility and socializing.
 Secretive behavior.
 Persistent desires or cravings.
 Physical and behavioral changes (loss of weight, trembling, excessive
sweating)
 Neglecting responsibilities
EFFECTS OF ADDICTION: Health
 Development of diseases
 liver diseases
Lung diseases
Kidney problems
Hepatitis and other STIs
 Heart and brain diseases resulting from stress and strain or the lack of
mobility
 Obesity (from being inactive for prolonged periods or binging on food)
 Eye problems (from staring at screens for prolonged periods.
QUESTION: What other health effects of addiction do you know of?
EFFECTS OF ADDICTION: Academic
 Isolation and lack of access to information
 Inability to concentrate and learn from lecturers
 Difficulty planning and implementing a self-study schedule
 Challenges in planning and managing the self during examinations
 Inability to socialize and form strong academic networks
 Insomnia and frequent tiredness affect your academic preparedness
in general.
EFFECTS OF ADDICTION: Social
 Isolation and loneliness
 Low self-esteem, depression
 Poor relational skills (social skills)
 Sex-related performance anxieties and relationship challenges
 Marital problems
 Unprovoked aggression/hostility
 Cruelty
EFFECTS OF ADDICTION: Economic
 Poor financial management and discipline
 Inability to keep/maintain a job
 Poor relational/teamwork skills at work, which affects the promotion
 Lack of innovation, initiative, and motivation which affects
performance appraisal
 Difficulty following instructions and regulations
A note to the social worker
 The effects of addiction, and its multi-dimensional nature means that
you should always be on the lookout and be aware of these when
working with someone dealing with addiction.
 While working to treat the addiction, plan some interventions to address
the other aspects of life that the addiction has affected.
 For instance in working with an alcohol addict, it is important that while
you work together to reduce addiction, you assist the client to get
medical tests just to ensure that no underlying medical conditions have
developed. Also, explore the quality of the relationship between the
addict and close family and friends. These are all aspects of the work. BE
MINDFUL OF THESE
GENERAL TIPS ON DEALING WITH
ADDICTION
 Seek professional help.
Consider helping the client to reach out to healthcare professionals,
counselors, or addiction specialists for guidance and support.

 Build support systems

Try and help the client to develop a supportive network of friends, family, and
professionals who understand addiction and can provide encouragement and
assistance. You may have to act as an advocate in this case
GENERAL TIPS ON DEALING WITH
ADDICTION
 Set Realistic Goals
In working with the client, make sure you agree on achievable and realistic
goals for recovery. Focus on small, incremental steps to recovery. This
approach can lead to significant progress over time.

 Practice self-care
Teach your clients to practice or prioritize self-care activities, including proper
nutrition, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep, to support overall well-being
during recovery
TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION
The tips shared in the preceding are for general understanding. At a
higher level, you will learn about specific therapies that you may use.
These may include:
 Systematic Desensitisation
 Aversion therapy
 Psychotherapy
YOU WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE IN
SUBSEQUENT LECTURES AND AS YOU PROGRESS
THROUGH YOUR EDUCATION.
THANK YOU