Why People Become Why People Become Addicted to ATODsAddicted to ATODs(Alcohol, Tobacco, Other (Alcohol, Tobacco, Other Drugs)Drugs)

EMOTION/Mood EMOTION/Mood RegulationRegulation

Control: drugs are an attempt to Control: drugs are an attempt to avoid (control) emotions (pain).avoid (control) emotions (pain).– Drug use produces a predictable, Drug use produces a predictable,

consistent mood change (brain consistent mood change (brain chemicals).chemicals).

– ““They Work.”They Work.”– Drug use (addiction) is an act of Drug use (addiction) is an act of

turning inward (isolation) and turning inward (isolation) and avoidance, or escape.avoidance, or escape.

Pleasure/Pain CyclePleasure/Pain Cycle

Pain/shame/guiltPain/shame/guilt

Pleasure (mood change)Pleasure (mood change)

**passive approach**passive approach

Human Behavioral Human Behavioral Psychology LawPsychology Law If something increases one’s If something increases one’s

pleasure OR decreases his/her pleasure OR decreases his/her discomfort, then the person is discomfort, then the person is likely to repeat that behavior. likely to repeat that behavior. – Converse is also true.Converse is also true.

Human Behavioral Human Behavioral Psychology LawPsychology Law Any IMMEDIATE Any IMMEDIATE

consequence(reward) has a consequence(reward) has a stronger impact on behavior than stronger impact on behavior than a delayed consequence.a delayed consequence.– Instant gratification vs. delayed Instant gratification vs. delayed

gratificationgratification

Theories/Risk FactorsTheories/Risk Factors Categories Include:Categories Include:

– BiologicalBiological– PsychologicalPsychological– SociologicalSociological

BIOLOGICAL (genetic)BIOLOGICAL (genetic) Metabolic: easier development of Metabolic: easier development of

tolerance (brain & liver); low level tolerance (brain & liver); low level response (liver).response (liver).

Metabolic differences in brain Metabolic differences in brain (i.e.,stress)(i.e.,stress)

Biological family history Biological family history ADD & other learning difficultiesADD & other learning difficulties Mood-based disorders (30% – 60% Mood-based disorders (30% – 60%

comorbidity). comorbidity). 18-24 yr. olds experiencing major 18-24 yr. olds experiencing major depression within the past year were 35 – 60% more depression within the past year were 35 – 60% more likely to INITIATE ATOD uselikely to INITIATE ATOD use (SAMHSA, 2007).(SAMHSA, 2007).

PSYCHOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL (behavioral)(behavioral) Low self-esteem/poor sense of selfLow self-esteem/poor sense of self Hopelessness, pessimism, coping Hopelessness, pessimism, coping

(stress)(stress) Affiliations w/ peers displaying Affiliations w/ peers displaying

deviant behaviorsdeviant behaviors Post-traumatic stress syndromePost-traumatic stress syndrome External locus of control (looking External locus of control (looking

outside oneself for solutions)outside oneself for solutions)

PSYCHOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL (cont.)(cont.) Perceptions of approval for drug Perceptions of approval for drug

use in family, work, school, peers, use in family, work, school, peers, communitycommunity

Boredom?Boredom? ““Addictive Personality”???Addictive Personality”???

– Harm avoidantHarm avoidant– Reward dependentReward dependent– Novelty seekingNovelty seeking

ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL (sociological)(sociological) Availability of drugsAvailability of drugs Parental drug use/abuseParental drug use/abuse Chaotic/dysfunctional family dynamicsChaotic/dysfunctional family dynamics Single parent homes - parenting skillsSingle parent homes - parenting skills Group normsGroup norms Misperception of peer normsMisperception of peer norms Chronic stressChronic stress

ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL (cont.)(cont.) Alienation/isolation/emptinessAlienation/isolation/emptiness Social reinforcementSocial reinforcement Cultural norms/rulesCultural norms/rules Expectancies (likelihood & Expectancies (likelihood &

desirability of positive and desirability of positive and negative consequences)negative consequences)

Theories/Risk FactorsTheories/Risk Factors

No one specific cause of No one specific cause of addiction.addiction.– Multiple, confounding Multiple, confounding

etiologiesetiologies

PROTECTIVE FACTORSPROTECTIVE FACTORS

Loving, supportive, healthy family Loving, supportive, healthy family relationships/environment.relationships/environment.

Parents, siblings, & peers who Parents, siblings, & peers who don’t use drugs.don’t use drugs.

EDUCATIONEDUCATION High self-esteemHigh self-esteem

Why do people become Why do people become addicted to alcohol & addicted to alcohol & drugs?drugs?

Genetic/family history?Genetic/family history? Stress - copingStress - coping Immediate gratificationImmediate gratification Pleasure/pain principlePleasure/pain principle

– Has elements of BOTH a disease and Has elements of BOTH a disease and behavioral problembehavioral problem

– Utilizes human instinctual/survival Utilizes human instinctual/survival mechanismsmechanisms

Take Home MessagesTake Home Messages

Everyone starts & continues using Everyone starts & continues using drugs for different reasons.drugs for different reasons.

Each addict has a UNIQUE Each addict has a UNIQUE combination of various risk factors.combination of various risk factors.

Most prevalent views on addiction & Most prevalent views on addiction & treatment don’t care why one uses treatment don’t care why one uses drugs.drugs.– Uncovering why someone uses drugs is Uncovering why someone uses drugs is

very important for successful recovery.very important for successful recovery.