Bio-Psycho-Social Impact of Addiction on the Individual
Dr. Dawn-Elise SnipesExecutive Director, AllCEUs
Examine the biological (physical) impact of addiction on the individual
Examine the psychological impact of addiction on the individual
Examine the social impact of addiction on the individual
Objectives
Biological Basic Neurobiology
◦ Addiction release of dopamine ◦ Drugs prevent the reuptake of dopamine
abnormally high levels in the brain desensitization of Dopamine receptors
◦ Addictive behavior can deplete the dopamine in the presynaptic neuron
Indirect◦ Reduced Immunity◦ Disease (Hepatitis, HIV, TB, MRSA)◦ More rapid aging◦ Sleep difficulties◦ Nutritional deficits
Biological Impact
Direct◦ Euphoria/Relaxation◦ Depression/ Lack of pleasure
Insufficient dopamine Serotonin Imbalance
◦ Anxiety As serotonin goes down, acetylcholine goes up
Psychological Impact
Indirect◦ Depression and/or anxiety due to:
Lack of sleep Malnutrition Guilt Being overwhelmed by the mess Initial “pain” still there
Psychological ImpactDepression & Anxiety Symptoms•Loss of pleasure in
activities•Confusion •Difficulty concentrating•Sleep Problems•Agitation or slowing•Inappropriate guilt or worry
Isolation Loss of supportive, healthy relationships
◦ Pushed away ◦ Chose to leave
New friends share same dysfunctional thinking◦ Stinkin’ Thinkin’: Minimization, rationalization,
blaming◦ Cognitive Distortions
Social Impact
Someone who has become physiologically less able to experience happiness or pleasure
Leading to a desire to find that feeling (addiction)
And keep that feeling (protect the addiction at all costs)
Total Picture
Dr. Gabor Mate Author of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters
with Addiction
Addiction has both direct and indirect consequences for the person◦ Biologically/Physically◦ Psychologically◦ Interpersonally
Summary
All aspects of the person in recovery must be addressed.◦ It is hard to change your thinking when you don’t
feel well◦ It is hard to change physical habits when you are
depressed and unmotivated◦ It is hard to change thinking or health habits
without social support (one of our greatest stress buffers)
Summary
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