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Drug Addictions
WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ADDICTION/ABUSE?
Addiction has both psychological and physical components. In order to help a person who is suffering from an addiction it is important to understand and be aware of both aspects of addiction. When an individual is psychologically addicted they experience strong emotional and psychological desires or cravings for a drug. These cravings can be so powerful that they can lead a person to do things that they would not normally do—such as steal, lie or harm others—in order to get the drug.
Physical addiction is said to take place when a person becomes physically dependent on the substance. This dependence means that a person needs to use the drug in order to feel “normal.” Physical addiction generally involves a person building up a tolerance to a substance, which means they need to take the drug in increasing dosages in order to experience the same feeling, or high. Withdrawal is another symptom of physical addiction and takes place goes through a period of abstinence. Withdrawal is often associated with physical illness, severe headaches, inability to sleep, shaking, sweating, and a general sense of feeling awful.
Because the psychological and physical forces behind addiction are so powerful, a person who is addicted to a substance may feel as if they do not have a choice to quit. Though a person may want to quit, their cravings can be so powerful that they overwhelm the individual’s desire for change. Additionally, the physical pains felt when attempting to quit may compel the individual
to use the substance as the quickest method of relief.
MANIFESTATIONS OF DRUG USE
Drug use can be manifested in several ways. Each type of drug generally has its own symptoms associated with it. Below are physical manifestations of common drugs:
• Marijuana: glassy, red eyes; loud talking and inappropriate laughter followed by sleepiness; a sweet burnt scent; loss of interest, motivation; weight gain or loss
• Alcohol/Depressants: clumsiness; difficulty walking; slurred speech; sleepiness; poor judgment; dilated pupils
• Cocaine/Methamphetamines: hyperactivity, excessive talking followed by depression, excessive sleeping at odd times, dilated pupils, loss of appetite, weight loss, dry mouth and
nose, euphoria, anxiety
• Inhalants (Gasoline/Aerosol Sprays/Nitrous Oxide): watery eyes, impaired vision, secretions from the nose, rashes around the nose and mouth, headache, nausea, drowsiness, appearance of intoxication, poor muscle control, impaired memory or thought, excessive number of spray/aerosol cans around
• Heroin: contracted pupils, no response of pupils to light, loss of appetite, twitching, coughing and sniffing, sleeping at unusual times, sweating, vomiting, needle marks
WARNING SIGNS
Because drugs can affect almost every aspect of a person’s life, there are several signals that one can look for as warning signs of drug use.
• Eating Habits — Loss of appetite or increase in appetite; noticeable weight loss or gain
• Sleep Patterns — being awake or asleep at unusual times, Constantly tired, Lethargic
• School/Work Performance — Drop in grades at school or performance at work; skipping school or work, or arriving late on a regular basis
• Mood Swings — Over-sensitivity, temper tantrums, moodiness, irritability, or nervousness.
• Motivation — General lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem or apathy
• Difficulty paying attention and forgetfulness
• Secretiveness — excessively secretive, seems to have something to hide
• Dishonesty — Chronic dishonesty can be a sign of substance abuse
• Cash Flow — Unexplained need for money or unable to account for money; alcohol, cigarettes, money or valuables go missing around the home
• Drug Paraphernalia — Common items include pipes, bongs, cigars, rolling papers, butane lighters, roach clips, syringes, tourniquets, burned tinfoil or spoons; as well as products to cover drug odors such as dryer sheets, air freshener, incense, cologne or towels under the door.
However one must keep in mind that because each person is unique, and drug effects vary, the most important thing to be aware of is change in the individual and his/her patterns of behavior.
WHAT CAN CLERGY DO?
For many years, there has been a growing recognition among addiction treatment professionals that religion and spirituality can be very powerful healing agents. Waters and Shafer (2005) state that spirituality “is seen as the central curative factor in [addiction] recovery.” Because of the potential power that religion and spirituality have to foster positive change in the lives of individuals, it is important that clergy members understand how best to utilize that power to help individuals with addictions.
The first key to helping those with addictions is, as previously mentioned, to focus on solutions. Also, in an effort to enhance the abilities of clergy members to help substance dependent individuals, a panel of experts in both religion and substance abuse treatment was assembled in Washington, D. C., on February 26–27, 200. This panel of experts developed a set of 12 core recommended competencies to be used by clergy.
12 Core Competencies (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2004)
Be aware of the:
• Generally accepted definition of alcohol and drug dependence
• Societal stigma attached to alcohol and drug dependence
Be knowledgeable about the:
• Signs of alcohol and drug dependence
• Characteristics of withdrawal
• Effects on the individual and the family
• Characteristics of the stages of recovery
Be aware that possible indicators of the disease may include, among others: marital conflict, family violence (physical, emotional, and verbal), suicide, hospitalization, or encounters with the criminal justice system.
Understand that addiction erodes and blocks religious and spiritual development; and be able to effectively communicate the importance of spirituality and the practice of religion in recovery, using the scripture, traditions, and rituals of the faith community.
Be aware of the potential benefits of early intervention to the:
• Addicted person
• Family system
• Affected children
Be aware of appropriate pastoral interactions with the:
• Addicted person
• Family system
• Affected children
Be able to communicate and sustain:
• An appropriate level of concern
• Messages of hope and caring
Be familiar with and utilize available community resources to ensure a continuum of care for the:
• Addicted person
• Family system
• Affected children
• The 12-step programs – AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics
Anonymous), Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, Alateen, A.C.O.A., etc.
• Other groups
Be able to acknowledge and address values, issues, and attitudes regarding alcohol and drug use and dependence in:
• Oneself
• One’s own family
Be able to shape, form, and educate a caring congregation that welcomes and supports persons and families affected by alcohol and drug dependence.
Be aware of how prevention strategies can benefit the larger community.
After careful consideration of these core competencies, it has been concluded that being able to shape, form, and educate a caring congregation that welcomes and supports persons and families affected by alcohol and drug dependence—has particular significance. In far too many cases, individuals who struggle with substance abuse and dependence feel ostracized by the very
congregations of which they are members and at a time in their lives when they most need the support and strength that can be provided by the group or congregation. Members of clergy have far more influence than others to change this unfortunate situation. Leaders who are successful in promoting acceptance and support of those who struggle with substance abuse and dependence
can potentially save lives and provide a service that can help immensely in the recovery of these individuals.
TREATMENT
There are many effective treatment approaches for substance dependence. Some of the most common theoretical approaches to treatment are Cognitive Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Strength-Based Therapy. Cognitive therapy is used to help those who have addictions by helping clients to identify and correct commonly held thinking errors, such as assuming that they will never be able to live without using drugs or rationalizing it is okay to use a drug every once in a while without becoming addicted. Behavioral therapy is used to help clients change their patterns of behavior that surround their drug use. This generally includes increasing awareness of triggers, which are events or situations in their life that trigger an impulse for them to want to use, and learning and practicing new ways to cope with these stressful events without resorting to drug use. Cognitive and behavioral therapies are often used together and have clinically proven to help individuals recover from addiction and prevent from
relapsing.
Another widely used approach is Solution Focused Therapy. This approach recognizes that the client has within them the solution to many of their own problems. Solution focused therapy allows the client to identify what they can do differently in their own live, rather than resorting to drug use. The therapist or addictions counselor will help guide the client in the process, but ultimately they are the ones that come up with the solution to their problem. This is because the client is more likely to follow through with a plan since they created it, rather than just being told what they need to do. Additionally, this gives clients an important tool to use in the future after they have completed treatment, which is to problem solve on their own.
Strength Based Therapy is also a valuable form of treatment, which focuses on the client’s strengths and supports. Taking a strength based approach in treating addiction is extremely important because people who suffer from addiction oftentimes live their lives with overwhelming feelings of shame, guilt and worthlessness. These feelings can drive them further into their addiction and it is only by overcoming these negative feelings that they can begin to have hope in their own recovery and future.
Each type of therapy has its own strengths and weaknesses. As a result, most treatment programs do not use just one theoretical approach; instead most treatment agencies will include a combination of approaches in treating their clients. However, the theoretical underpinnings of the treatment program usually are not as important as other program components. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) recommends consideration of the following 12 questions when choosing a treatment program:
• Does the program accept your insurance? If not, will they work with you on a payment plan or find other means of support for you?
• Is the program run by state-accredited, licensed and/or trained professionals?
• Is the facility clean, organized and well-run?
• Does the program encompass the full range of needs of the individual (medical: including infectious diseases; psychological: including co-occurring mental illness; social; vocational; legal; etc.)?
• Does the treatment program also address physical disabilities as well as provide age, gender and culturally appropriate treatment services?
• Is long-term aftercare support and/or guidance encouraged, provided and maintained?
• Is there ongoing assessment of an individual’s treatment plan to ensure it meets changing needs?
• Does the program employ strategies to engage and keep individuals in longer-term treatment, increasing the likelihood of success?
• Does the program offer counseling (individual or group) and other behavioral therapies to enhance the individual’s ability to function in the family/community?
• Does the program offer medication as part of the treatment regimen, if appropriate?
• Is there ongoing monitoring of possible relapse to help guide patients back to abstinence?
• Are services or referrals offered to family members to ensure they understand addiction and the recovery process to help them support the recovering individual?
(The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
MYTHS AND REALITIES OF SUBSTANCE ADDICTIONS
• If an addict has enough willpower, he or she can stop abusing alcohol and using drugs. Few people addicted to alcohol and other drugs can simply stop using them, no matter how strong their inner resolve. Most need at least one course of structured substance abuse treatment to end their dependence on alcohol and other drugs. Some achieve sobriety through participation in community–based support organizations (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous), but relapse rates under this condition are very high. The most effective approach is one that combines structured treatment and community–based support.
• Many people relapse, so treatment obviously does not work. Like every other medical treatment, addiction treatment cannot guarantee lifelong recovery. Relapse is often a part of the recovery process; it is always possible–and treatable. Even if a person never achieves perfect abstinence, addiction treatment can reduce the number and duration of relapses, lower the incidence of related problems such as crime and poor overall health, improve the individual’s ability to function in daily life, and strengthen the individual to better cope with the next temptation or craving. These improvements reduce the social and economic costs of addiction.
• Addiction is a bad habit, the result of moral weakness and over-indulgence. Addiction is a chronic, life–threatening condition, like hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and adult diabetes. Addiction has roots in genetic susceptibility, social circumstance, and personal behavior. Certain drugs are highly addictive, rapidly causing biochemical and structural changes in the brain. Others can be used for longer periods of time before they begin to cause inescapable cravings and compulsive use.(We in Recovery, 2009)
METH
• A meth user is the only one hurt by meth use. Meth abuse affects the whole community. Meth labs are environmental hazards. These labs use unstable chemicals and other toxic ingredients that pollute the air, water, and soil surrounding their locations. In addition, users’ families and friends are often victims of neglect, domestic violence, theft and other violent behaviors.
• Using meth is a safe way to lose weight. Meth is dangerous, addictive, and can cause malnutrition leading to anorexia. Meth use can lead to bone density loss, rotten teeth, sleeplessness, seizures, aggressiveness, heart damage and failure, coma, and even death.
• Meth increases a person’s strength and endurance. While meth gives the user a sense or feeling of energy, it does not increase their physical strength or endurance. The feeling of energy is usually followed by a “crash” where the user feels tired and sluggish and may sleep for extended periods of time.(TeenThink, 2008)
ALCOHOL
• Drugs are a bigger problem than alcohol. Although alcohol use is legal and more socially acceptable, it is still classified as a drug. Alcohol has claimed the lives of more young people than cocaine, heroin, and every other illegal drug combined. About 18 million Americans are addicted to alcohol or have alcohol abuse issues. Furthermore, alcohol is the No. 1 drug problem of today’s youth.
• Hard liquor is more dangerous than beer, wine or wine coolers. A 12-ounce can of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine and a 12-ounce wine cooler contain the same amount of alcohol and the same intoxication potential as 1.5 ounces of liquor. All of these will affect an unborn baby.
• One or two drinks will not affect driving ability. Alcohol is a depressant drug and therefore slows down reaction time and affects judgment with just one drink. The effects of alcohol not only depend on the amount consumed, but also on the user’s past drinking
experience, the way in which the alcohol is consumed, and a person’s feelings or mood. The only safe way to drive is sober.
• If a person can abstain for weeks or even months between drinking bouts, he or she does not have a drinking problem. A person does not have to drink every day or every week to have a problem with alcohol. The effect of alcohol on a person’s home, friends, social life, school life, job, leisure time, medical needs, and financial responsibilities need to be considered. If someone’s drinking affects even one of these areas, the person should consider receiving help to keep it from causing more problems. (Garcia, 2005)
TREATMENT PROGRAMS
Addiction & Psychological Services Inc.
224 N Orem Blvd.
Orem, UT
(801) 222-0603
Cirque Lodge (Inpatient)
1240 E 800 N
Orem, UT
(801) 222-9200
Clear Living
532 E 800 N
Orem, UT
(801) 223-4357
The Gathering Place
251 E 1200, Orem, UT
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