I. An Addiction is a physiological or psychological dependence on a substance or activity. 1. Physiological dependence means the body has gotten used to the drug and needs the chemical just to function. 2. Psychological dependence means the person has come to depend on the feeling received from the drug.

B. Since 1956, the American Medical Association has considered alcoholism and drug dependence each to have three properties. 1. Chronic, or Ongoing. 2. Progressive, or worsening over time 3. Potentially fatal, or ending in death Addiction is a process, or a series of gradual changes that happen over time.

The downward slide to addiction may contain any or all of a number of steps, each with its own signs. 1. First use/occasional use a. Takes first drink or other drug b. Likes the way it feels and reduces stress c. Uses the drug in social settings 2. Occasional trouble with drugs a. Shows mood swings or personality changes

b. Has greater tolerance than others c. May cry, get violent, or engage in high-risk behaviors d. May have blackouts 3. Regular use of drug a. Tolerance increases; needs more of the drug more often b. Tries to control drug use but cannot C. Feels guilty after binges

d. Hangs out with others who drink or use drugs e. Denies the problem; gets angry with others who see a problem Multiple drug use a. May combine or switch drugs b. May become cross-addicted, or hooked on several kinds of drugs

5. Increasing dependency a. Needs drugs just to function. b. Drugs no longer has the same effect; needs drug to stop shaking and feeling sick c. Loses interest in everything except drug 6. Total dependency a. Suffers a major loss b. Feels physically and emotionally defeated

What are the first steps in recovery What are the first steps in recovery? Recognizing that there’s a problem with the drug and making the decision to give it up. What is detoxification? Removing the drugs from the body

3.Why do people in recovery speak of themselves as recovering rather than recovered? Because the recovery process is ongoing; the biochemical and perhaps genetic conditions that first set the person up for addiction remain in his or her body and brain whether or not the person uses the drug.

Why is the use of even small amounts of alcohol or other drugs by the recovering addict considered a relapse? Because even the slightest amount of the drug can send the person back into addiction.

5. Name eight milestones that might occur in the life of a recovering addict, in order of occurrence. Answers Vary. Possibilities are: Decides to get help, has evaluation, detoxes, educates oneself, learns about disease, helps others.

6. Name four individuals an addict might turn to as a means of starting on the road to recovery. Answers Vary. Possibilities are: Parent, teacher, counselor, peer counselor, or administrator.

7. What is a support group? Name one support group to which a person with an addiction to alcohol might turn. A group of people who share a common problem and work together to help one another and themselves cope with and recover from a problem. Alcoholics Anonymous.

Identify the time frame for treatment and benefits offered by each of the following centers. Detox Unit: Usually 3 to 7 days; person may be given medication to ease withdrawal.

Inpatient Treatment Center Usually a month or more; detox, education, counseling, and support groups.

Outpatient Treatment Center Usually a few hours a day over a long period; permits the person to live at home and go to work or school while getting regular counseling.

Continuing Care Program Long term program of follow-up, which may involve individual and family counseling.

Halfway House Six months to a year; offers coping and living skills, counseling, and support meetings.

Codependency means Being overly concerned with other people’s behavior and problems and feeling driven to fix and control those problems.

Codependents share many traits in common, including Feeling like they have to fix other peoples problems. Feeling lost, bored, or bad about themselves when they are not rescuing someone

3. Feeling responsible for other peoples feelings, actions, and happiness. Having difficulty having fun, relaxing, and taking care of themselves. Not meeting their own needs and may not know what these are.

Enabling is: Trying to protect the person having trouble from facing the consequences of his or her drug-related problem.

Codependents enable addicts in a number of ways, including: Lying for them. lending them money making excuses for them

2. Codependents suffer from a variety of stress-related disorders, including: Depression and eating disorders. high blood pressure and digestive disorders

Addiction is a family disease. In families with drug dependency, codependent members act out rigid, clearly defined roles. 1. Traits of the main enabler include:

Traits of the good child/hero a. nagging b. blaming c. Controlling, Rescuing, and Covering up Traits of the good child/hero Getting straight A’s Winning awards Trying to bring esteem to the family with his or her achievements.

3. Traits of the troublemaker include: Using drugs Failing in school Other self-destructive behavior

4. Traits of the sensitive child: A-C. Answers will vary: they might include: being overly aware of others, always faking a smile, always trying to keep the peace, being a family clown, etc.

Living in a fantasy world. Being passive 5. Traits of the invisible child: Living in a fantasy world. Being passive Adjusting to anything that happens without complaint.

Reading Activity 69 Al-Anon is: A worldwide, self-help organization for the family members and friends of alcoholics. Alateen is: an offshoot of Al-Anon, offering support and counseling for teens and preteens whose parents or other family members have drinking problems.

Nar-Anon is: designed to help the families and close friends of narcotics addicts. Coc-Anon is: designed to help the families and close friends of cocaine addicts.