Transcript Risk and protective factors

Why are drugs so hard to quit?
Addiction:
• Being enslaved to a habit or practice or
something that is psychologically or physically
habit forming (to such an extent that its
cessation causes severe trauma.
• Abuse and addiction to alcohol, nicotine and
illicit and prescription (Rx) drugs cost
Americans more than $700 billion a year in
increased health care costs, crime and lost
productivity.
• Every year illicit and Rx drugs and alcohol
contribute to the death of more than 90,000
Americans; nicotine – 480,000
There has been controversy over the cause of
addiction. Historically, it was thought it was
caused by a lack of willpower, by poverty, moral
weakness, mental illness, genetics, family
socialization, anti-social personalities and
societal problems. Today addiction is seen as a
disease; and like any other disease, many factors
contribute - A disease that affects both the brain
and behavior.
Who is impacted?
•Babies exposed to drugs in the womb may be
born premature and underweight. This exposure
can slow the child’s intellectual development
and affect behavior later in life.
• Adolescents who abuse drugs often act out,
do poorly academically and drop out of school.
They are at risk of unplanned pregnancies,
violence and infectious diseases.
• Adults who abuse drugs often have problems
thinking clearly, remembering and paying
attention. They often develop poor social
behaviors as a result of their drug abuse, and
their work performance and personal
relationships suffer.
• Parents drug abuse often means chaotic,
stress-filled homes, as well as child abuse and
neglect. Such conditions harm the well-being
and development of children in the home and
may set the stage for drug abuse in the next
generation.
Why do some people become
addicted to drugs while others do
not?
• Turn to your table partner and discuss what
factors contribute to addiction.
NO single factor determines whether a
person will become addicted or not.
The DRUG – The USER – The ENVIRONMENT
What does put someone more at risk?
How can we protect ourselves? Those we
care about?
Risk Factors
Protective Factors
Risk Factors
Protective Factors
Aggressive behavior in childhood
Good self control
Lack of parental supervision
Parental monitoring
Poor social skills
Positive relationships
Drug experimentation
Academic competence
Availability of drugs at school
School anti-drug policies
Community poverty
Neighborhood pride
Biological factors that increase rate of
addiction:
• Genetic factors account for between 40-60%
of a person’s vulnerability to addiction.
• A person’s stage of development and other
medical conditions are also factors.
• Adolescents and people with mental disorders
are at greater risk of drug abuse and addiction
than the general population.
What are your protective factors?
• Write down how you and your family are
working to protect your mind and body from
the damaging effects of use, abuse and
addiction.
Continuum of Use
No Use
Experimental use/ exposure to chemicals:
• Uses occasionally
• Interest or curiosity about chemicals
• Prescribed use (as intended)
• Appropriate settings (religious/cultural)
Substance Misuse:
• Seeks the mood swing for stress relief in social settings
• Seeks the mood swing for life’s emotional stresses
• Body begins to adapt to higher levels of a chemical =
tolerance/dependence
• Violates social norms or laws
Substance Abuse:
• Conceals negative effects: lying to self, others, minimizing, justifying
• Preoccupation with chemical
• Increased tolerance
•Loss of self-esteem
•Beginning of a personality change: anger, depression
•Attempts to control use by stopping for a period of time to “regain control”
Compulsion/Addiction:
• uses to feel a sense of emotional normalcy “chasing the
high”
• Intense cravings
• Neglect of other responsibilities
• Inability to turn down an offer to use
• Inability to limit self- use
Continue use Despite Adverse Consequences:
•Downplays the negative physical, psychological, social,
financial and legal consequences
Addiction need not be a life sentence.
Research shows that combining treatment
medications (where available) and behavioral
therapy is the best way to ensure success for
most patients. Treatment is tailored to address
each patient and must treat the WHOLE patient.