This class revolved around understanding addiction by giving ups something I enjoyed while gaining insight through group therapy. At the beginning of this class, I became very resentful and frustrated when I learned that I must give-up something that I enjoyed. You see, I am in recovery and I work with my personal addiction issues on a daily basis and did not think this class was teaching me anything new. But, once I wrapped my mind around how I would accept this new challenge, my life became more interesting and I started to look at things a little differently. Because I suffered from addiction in the past, I was taught through twelve step programs that my addictive mind would substitute one addiction for another, but I did not realize how detrimental giving up even one of my “simple” decadences could be. While I struggled through my assignments without the crutch of my relinquished chosen vice, old behaviors and emotions started to rear their ugly heads; such as, irritability, resentment, over eating, and avoidance. This class reaffirmed for me that sobriety is a balance and when I upset normal routines, old messages will start messing with …show more content…
While I appreciated learning how to utilize “DOACLIENTMAP” to apply structure when working with a client, upon reviewing the full version of the DSM 5, it is obvious to me how much research and thought went into it. However, I consider it to be a textbook that helps professionals communicate with each other and should be used cautiously when working with a client. I discovered it has some cultural issues and biases when diagnosing individuals. The fact that it seems to pathologize normal human experiences such as bereavement concerns me, and I question why certain diagnoses such as gender dysphoria are
Addiction has been found to be multifaceted, and most agree that recovery must focus on the many “underlying” psychological, emotional, physical, spiritual and social issues that cause drug and alcohol abuse. Solomon’s book attempts to present why traditional treatment does not work and to provide resources for alternative methods. Some of the alternatives focus on specific aspects of recovery, while others address numerous factors tailored to fit an individual’s needs. People struggling to succeed in AA or other 12-step programs will find the information in this book
During this weeks group members explored/utilized a Relapse Prevention Quiz in order to assess their knowledge of key aspects of relapse, i.e., cravings, substituting drugs, romantic relationships. The quiz was composed of 20, true and false questions followed by an explanation of each answer. The results of the quiz caused both debate and discussion in the group as each members personal opinion of the assessment was
A good deal of time was spent on sharing and validating. As to what I would have liked to say to the those who shared at this meeting, I would have wanted to tell them how much I admire their bravery in facing the worst of themselves and being able to come out on the other side stronger and more self-aware. I do not think I would have the courage to face the worst of myself. I think the most notable knowledge pertaining to addiction I gain from this meeting was the impact that small inconveniences or slights can have in relation to triggering cravings. I always imaged trigger being events like death of a friend or a loss of a job, but from what the individual in this session stated, the more difficult triggers can be someone being rude or a misunderstand because they catch people off guard and unprepared.
AA Meeting Reflection Many people who have never had an addiction may not understand the difficulty of becoming better, and that is because we have never been in circumstances where our life depended upon a substance (Berry & Ramnath, 2013). However, for people who have had a substance addiction, the difficulty to becoming better is harder because they need to regain control over their thoughts and lives. According to the alcoholic anonymous recovery program, a twelve-step meeting is a very efficient program that helps people regain control over their thoughts and their lives. One vital part of this program is the twelve traditions and twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Although the overall goal of this meeting is for members to stay sober while
The disease model of addition is the foundation of Narcotics Anonymous. The disease model posits that the addict has an incurable disease much like diabetes or an allergy; thus, exposure to a substance is viewed as the primary cause of psychological addiction (Narcotics Anonymous, 1983; Jenkins, 2016). N.A. is identified with the spiritual model of treatment (Jenkins & Finner-Williams, 2016). The spiritual model of therapy views addiction as a disease to which persons are defenseless without a “higher-power.” In this view, treatment focuses on the resignation of self, and instead, instruction from a higher power and a spiritual awakening toward recovery (Jenkins & Finner-Williams, 2016).
and N.A. meetings I attended this book contains many quotes from the Twelve Step model and makes many references to God and a Higher Power which may encourage many readers to use faith to change the codependency. It seems that the Twelve Steps are very important not only for those with a drug addiction, but those who struggle with some sort of compulsive action that affects their everyday lives. The author aims to let the readers acknowledge if they may have a codependency issue by giving a list of signs of codependency and tries to walk the reader through such situations by giving examples of
The opening to the HBO documentary named “Addiction,” gives us a brief understanding to what the film will be based on, substance addiction. It goes in depth into understanding how addiction is a real medical condition, that is being understood and treated as a brain disease. It also tells us that it is associated with “The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,” a foundation that is only for the use of the public’s health. The documentary is also presented by “The National Institute on Drug Abuse and The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.”
I admire how the students all showed interest and followed through with the course experiment. At first everyone was hesitant, not believing they could change their lives. The students later realized they could and were all willing
Twelve steps can be another treatment for alcoholics to overcome their denial about having no self-control over alcohol. Counseling is also another option. Talking to someone about their alcohol addiction could help that person. “One study reported that the main reasons alcoholics do not seek treatment are lack of confidence in successful therapies, denial of their own alcoholism, and the social stigma attached to the condition and its treatment” (Torr 2000). The purposes for these treatments are for those who have alcohol problems to help them become sober and overcome this problem.
The experiences these addicts faced with addiction was extremely relatable because I have felt those problems myself for my addiction of soda. Many of my friends and family have to cope with the problems that addiction brings along with it. This experience can be helpful in improving my relationship with my friends and family targeted by substance abuse. At the conclusion of the AA meeting, a select few were awarded for their sobriety.
Since its inception in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions, with the current version, DSM-5, released in 2013. This comprehensive manual encompasses over 300 disorders, meticulously organized into more than 20 distinct categories. Notably, DSM-5 introduced significant changes by discarding the multi-axial system, which evaluated overall functioning and the impact of various factors on diagnosis. However, it is evident that crucial considerations, such as the influence of medical and psychosocial elements like bereavement or unemployment, continue to shape the diagnostic process. Criticism The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has faced numerous criticisms regarding its usefulness as a diagnostic manual.
Thus, today’s world still argues that the issues of DSM. Furthermore, Cooper (2004) asserted that 3 issues of DSM that lead to rise the doubts about the DSM. Firstly, DSM has a difficulty with the explanations of a disease since it focuses the biological circumstances. Therefore, DSM is skipping the other situations which make people distress or uncomfortable such as economical as well as legal problems. To illustrate, unlike DSM III that was explained the mental disorder by emphasizing the genetic factors, DSM IV was altered the definition of the mental disorder by saying there is no absolute reason to help the defining of it.
As the dictionary defines it, addiction is the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice, or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma. And as it is well known to all of us, its not easy to get yourself out of such thing. While many people usually drink daily, and know when to stop, and some don’t mind the effects of heavy drinking, and getting a hangover that will not last
Through this class am now able to understand my behavior. The exercises, demonstrations and discussions in class have influenced my skills at large extent in especially in resolution of a conflict. I am a reformed person from thinking, reasoning and in the
Addiction is the reliance on a routine. There are many addictive stages. Addiction, as it comes along, becomes a way of life. The persistent use of the substance causes to the user serious physical or psychological problems and dysfunctions in major areas of his or her life. The drug user continues to use substances and the compulsive behavior despite the harmful consequences, and tries to systematically avoid responsibility and reality, while he or she tends to isolate himself/herself from others because of guilt and pain (Angres, & Bettinardi-Angres, 2008).