Addiction: Recognizing the Problem Addiction is one of the most costly public health problems in the United States. It is a progressive syndrome, which means that it increases in severity over time unless it is treated. Substance abuse is characterized by frequent relapse, or return to the abused substance. Substance abusers often make repeated attempts to quit before they are successful

Addiction The first step in getting help with an addiction is to recognize that a problem exists Sometimes it is the people close to the addict or alcoholic who first recognize the problem or it could be the addict himself or herself. In either case there are clear-cut warning signs of addiction

Warning Signs Continual concern about where the next “fix” drink or pill, for example will come from Choosing friends who can supply the addictive substance Changes in appearance or personal habits Irritability, nervousness, personality changes or mood swings Violent behavior Black-outs Needing increasing amounts of a substance to feel “normal”

Phase of Addiction Early Phase/Use Thinks about alcohol Talks to all their friends about how much fun they had using alcohol Want to go out and drink again Talks more about getting drunk with friends When they go out with friends all they want to do is drink Feels good when drinking Jealous if friends drink without them Feels alone when he/she is not drinking

Phases of Addiction Middle Phase/ ABUSE Depends on alcohol for a social life Won’t go to a party without drinking Spends more free time drinking alcohol Friends warn them that they are drinking too much Family sets rules for he/she to stop drinking Grades start to fall Skips school to drink Gets depressed when not drinking Participates in risky behaviors

Phases of Addiction Late Phase/ADDICTION Relies on alcohol for self esteem Depends on alcohol for social support Unreasonable fear of loss Loses friends because they try to get them to stop drinking, now they drink alone Family threatens to send them away to drug treatment facility Gets suspend/expulsion from school because of alcohol Total life revolves around alcohol/next drink Experiences withdrawal symptoms when not drinking Gets into accidents, injuries to self and may injure other due to alcohol

The Slide into Addiction First use or occasional use Occasional trouble with the drug Regular use of the drug Multiple drug use Increasing dependency Total dependency

Intervention Is the interruption of the addiction continuum before the addict or alcoholic hits bottom Consists of meeting between family members or other significant people in the addicts life and a drug counselor These take place without the addict knowing The next step is a surprise meeting with the addict that forces the person to face the seriousness of his or her addiction. There is a plan for immediate treatment after the meeting takes place

The Recovery Continuum Recovery means learning to live an alcohol free or drug free life. It is a process that happens over time A recovering person never says, “I am cured”, but rather “ I am recovering” It is an on-going, lifelong process. It happens at different rates and in different ways for different people. Many will remain drug free, but RELAPSES, slips from recovery, or periodic returns to drinking and drug use, occur. No matter how many times a person relapses, RECOVERY is always there

Recovery Continuum Detoxification- the removal of all drugs from the body This should take place under medical supervision Involves restoring the person’s mental health and learning to build healthy relationships Total ABSTINENCE from mood-altering drugs including alcohol

Treatment Options Support Groups- group of people who share a common problem and work together to help one another. Meetings are help frequently an all over the world Meetings are confidential and members can remain anonymous because no one gives last name and its FREE AA, CA, NA

Treatment Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers Many specialize in treating teenagers with addictions Either privately owned, or state and community alcoholism and mental health clinics Since drug and alcohol dependence are considered disease, some health insurance plans may cover at least some of the cost Detox Units In-patient Treatment Out-patient Treatment Continuing Programs Halfway Houses

Families dealing with Addiction When someone in a family has a drug dependency, other members of the family must learn to cope with the addict’s problems. There are many Support groups for people involved in the lives of alcoholics and other drug addicts AL-ANON- worldwide self-help for people who are close to alcoholics It focuses on detachment or pulling back form the involvement in someone else’s addiction ALATEEN- support program for people ages 12 to 20 whose parent, other family members, or friends having drinking problems