addiction and recovery: foundational principles arco 501 ...5… · addiction and recovery:...

Addiction and Recovery: Foundational Principles 1

Light University Online

Addiction and Recovery: Foundational Principles

ARCO 501

Module 3



Module Three

Table of Contents

The Neurobiology of Addiction Mark Laaser, Ph.D. & Todd Clements, M.D. ......................................................................................................... 3

Substance Abuse in Marriage: Getting Past the Chaos David Stoop, Ph.D. & Jan Stoop, Ph.D. .................................................................................................................. 8

MEDICAL AND MARRIAGE CONSIDERATIONS



Description Dr. Laaser and Dr. Clements teach students the importance of understanding how the brain works regarding the problem of addiction. In this lesson, they discuss SPECT imaging, the chemical side of addiction, and how various medications can help. Students will gain a message of hope to those struggling with addiction, as well as helpers who are working with addicts.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the benefits of brain scans and their function in treating addicts.

2. Understand the neurochemical addictive effect that occurs in the brain.

3. Understand the elasticity of the brain and how one can recover from

addiction.

THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF ADDICTION

VIDEO

Mark Laaser, Ph.D. & Todd Clements, M.D.



I. Brain Scan Imaging

A. SPECT scan – Single Photo Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans are functional brain scans.

B. CT or MRI studies the anatomy of the brain.

C. Most psychological problems are not a problem with a brain’s structure, but with the function.

D. Imaging can tell what areas of the brain are working well, which ones are not working hard enough, and which ones are working too hard.

E. How can scans help when it comes to addiction? They can show if there has been any damage done because of an addiction.

They can show if there is something underlying that is driving the addiction.

II. Neurochemical Effects

A. There is indeed a chemical side to addiction – if a person ingests a substance, there can be a definite effect on the brain.

B. It becomes addiction when the brain becomes neuro-chemically tolerant.



C. With addiction, as long as the substance/behavior is available, a person is fine. But if not, everything else stops.

D. In order for something to have the same neurochemical addictive effect on the brain, the behavior itself has to create chemistry.

E. Young men who watch pornography have the same part of the brain light up as when doing cocaine, almost in the same intensity.

F. There is a dopamine release that occurs as easily when watching pornography as when someone uses cocaine.

G. The brain stores images of pornography or sexual activity, brings it up, and the memory itself can produce the pleasure or effect.

H. The trigger is very powerful, in behaviors and substances. III. Addiction

A. Some addictions are paired with the use of drugs.

B. When it comes to behavioral addictions, people have to learn to do certain behaviors for healthy purposes.

C. The Question of Susceptibility

Moral Model – a person chose to be an alcoholic, likes being an alcoholic, is too weak to stop, and is immoral



Medical Model – a person can do nothing about being an alcoholic except manage it, because it is a genetic disease

There could be genetic vulnerabilities, but people are still all responsible for

the decisions they make. D. Medication

If someone is in the midst of addiction, medication can be very effective

through withdrawal

Medications can block the good effect from the addiction, and the bad effect from the withdrawal

E. It takes hard work to retrain the brain, but recovery can help override the brain’s autonomic response at the pleasure center of the brain.

F. The brain is elastic, and there is a great message of hope that anyone can overcome any addiction.



Study Questions

1. Discuss the role of brain scans and how they can help those recovering from addiction.

2. What is the role of dopamine in addiction?

3. What is the importance of keeping the brain healthy? What are the effects of keeping the brain healthy versus neglecting a healthy brain lifestyle?

4. Discuss the Moral Model versus the Medical Model.

5. Discuss the implications of the brain’s elasticity and ability to change.



Course Description Drug wars go on in individual households, as well as in cities and across borders. If affairs are the rifle shot through the heart of marriage, drug abuse may well be the shotgun blast that renders chaos throughout all of marital life. A major personal, social, and international problem, substance abuse also devastates marriages. Drs. David and Jan Stoop reveal this major problem, how to confront and overcome it, and how to heal a war-torn marriage.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the widespread effect of alcoholism on society, families, marriages, and individuals.

2. Be able to discuss the myths about alcoholism and understand how

alcohol and other drugs affect individuals physiologically, emotionally, and spiritually.

3. Explain how addictions create dysfunctional families, and learn steps to helping couples and families face and overcome addictions and codependent behaviors.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN MARRIAGE: GETTING

PAST THE CHAOS

VIDEO

David Stoop, Ph.D. & Jan Stoop, Ph.D.



Introduction

This lesson will look at substance abuse, particularly alcoholism, and its effects on marital

and family relationships. Students will examine the widespread effects of alcohol abuse in

society and analyze the church's views, as well as look at commonly held myths about

alcoholism. The Stoops will share their personal testimony of facing substance abuse in

their own family and share steps to helping couples and families facing addiction. Many still

believe the myth that substance abuse doesn’t affect Christian families, but statistics tell a

different story. Many Christians and Christian homes are devastated by substance abuse.

In order to help individuals, couples, or families facing addiction, counselors must

understand the addictive process and the dysfunctional dynamics that accompany it.

I. Substance Abuse in Christian Marriage

A. 1 out of 10 People in General Population is Alcoholic (Does Not Include Other Drugs)

B. 1 out of 3 People is Closely Related to an Alcoholic or is Touched by Alcoholism

in a Close Intimate Way

II. Statistics on Alcoholism A. 60% of Reported Child Abuse Cases Involve Alcohol B. Alcohol is Involved in Almost Every Case of Spousal Abuse



A. Crime – Alcohol is Involved In: 41% of assaults

39% of rapes

2/3 of homicides

2/3 of traffic fatalities

25% of pedestrian fatalities

80% of suicides

III. Church Perspective on Alcoholism A. Addiction is simply a “sin” problem. B. Scientific perspective – Alcoholism is a disease.

IV. Myths about Alcoholism

A. Myth #1 -Everyone Reacts the Same to Alcohol

Rate of alcoholism among Native Americans is about 80-90%

Rate of alcoholism among Jewish and Italian populations is much lower – about 1-2%

B. Myth #2 -Alcohol is an Addictive Drug and Any Person who Drinks Enough will become Alcoholic

Alcohol is a “selectively” addictive drug.



People most prone to alcoholism have a high tolerance for alcohol.

The alcoholic will function better when drinking. Symptoms start when they stop drinking.

C. Myth #3 – The Alcoholic’s “True Self” Will Come Out When He/She Is Using

Alcohol masks the true self.

One cannot help a person while they are using drugs or alcohol

D. Myth #4 – An Alcoholic Can Learn to Drink Responsibly

A. Myth #5 – There is an Addictive Personality Type B. Myth #6 – Social Problems Cause Addictions

C. Myth #7 – Addiction is Psychological

D. Myth #8 – Denial is for the Benefit of Other People

Primary purpose of denial is for the addicts to lie to themselves.

Intervention – A trained professional helps family and friends to confront the addict together with “overwhelming” evidence.



E. Myth #9 – Tolerance is a Learned Response

V. Other Drugs

A. Heroin

B. Crack/Cocaine C. Morphine B. Alcohol – Is the Most Damaging to the Body

VI. Marriage, Family, & Addiction – Families Will Organize Themselves Around the Use of the Substance

A. Characteristics of Dysfunctional Families

Rigid roles

1. Person with problem

2. Chief enabler

3. Child-enabler in training

4. Child-hero



5. Child-comic relief

6. Child-lost child

7. Child-scapegoat

Secrets – Family learns to keep “the secret”

Communication is circular – No one talks about the problem

B. Four steps to Facing Addiction in the Family

Get educated about the addictive process.

Stop trying to protect the addict/abuser.

Learn how to be “tenderly tough”.

Learn to pray together.

VII. Conclusion – God is bigger than the addiction.



Bibliography/Reading List Collins, Gary (1988). Christian Counseling, A Comprehensive Guide Dallas, TX: Word

Publishing Clinebell, Howard J., Jr. (1968) Understanding and Counseling the Alcoholic Nashville, TN:

Abingdon Martin, Sara Hines (1988) Healing for Adult Children of Alcoholics Nashville, TN: Broadman Ohlemacher, Janet (1984) Beloved Alcoholic: What to Do When a Loved One Drinks Grand

Rapids, MI: Zondervan Van Cleave, Stephen, Walter Byrd, and Kathy Revell (1987) Counseling for Substance Abuse

and Addiction Waco, TX: Word Publishing



Study Questions

1. How common is alcoholism in the general population? Among Native Americans?

Among Jewish and Italian communities?

2. Explain what purpose denial serves for the addict?

3. Explain what is meant that alcohol is a “selectively additive” drug?

4. What is an intervention?

5. What are the characteristics of a dysfunctional family organized around addiction?

Soul Care Notes Galatians 5:16 Psalm 51:6 Philippians 4:13 Matthew 6:25-34 I Corinthians 15:33 Philippians 4:6-7 I Corinthians 10:13 James 1:13-15 Proverbs 3:5-6

addiction and recovery: foundational principles arco 501 ...5… · addiction and recovery:...

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