Aspects of Initiation, Continuation, Addiction, Recovery, andRelapse

It is vital to understand "the theoretical foundation of" substance use and is "important whendeveloping a treatment plan for individuals and their families" (Stevens and Smith, 2009). The usageof alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) is growing and needs to be dealt with properly. Withoutthe appropriate method used to assist a substance abusing individual, they will not be able to breakthis unfortunate habit. Based on my past experiences and observations I have created my ownetiological theory to explain substance abuse. In order to help an individual who is abusing drugs theaspects of initiation, continuation, addiction, recovery, and relapse need to be understood.

Initiation

The initiation explains why an individual chooses to abuse drugs; this is the first unfortunate aspectin the process of addiction. I believe that this is typically based on their current state of mind andbehavior of the individual that is about to use. An individual's behavior is the effects of theenvironment and past experiences that they have had from that specific environment. Thisenvironment will either influence their behavior to be good or influence their behavior to be bad; itcan affect their future and the possibility of establishing an addiction.

One of the components of the behavior theory that I support is that the environment that a child israised in greatly effects their behavior later on in life. A child who was raised in a home with ATODusage is more likely to follow in their family's footsteps with their own usage. However, it should benoted that cultural ethnic groups have different statistics, in that some are less likely to use in thefuture if they are from that environment. Also, genetics plays a role in which it creates a uniquepersonality of the individual exposed to an unstable environment. Some may be genetically incline towant to be different than their parents; while others may be genetically like their parents and wantto use just like them.

The disease theory follows the concept of alcoholism as a disease and needs to be considered in myown theory. I personally believe that it closely aligns with both the environment and genetics. If anindividual genetically caries this disease, then different environments that an individual is exposedto can trigger this disease. An example would be a teenager who had no issues at his or her previoushome in another town. Later in his or her childhood, he or she is moved to a new town in which theyencounter a new group of friends. This teenager now has an entirely new environment and isexposed to different situations. These new friends that he or she has encountered may peer pressurehim/her into abusing alcohol. This alcoholism disease that he or she genetically inherited is nowgoing to be exposed in full force and will cause him or her to have an addiction to alcohol; thatindividual will become dependent on it. If this teenager was never exposed to this specific

environment, he or she may have never known that they had the alcoholism disease; therefore, theenvironment greatly influenced their behavior in which can lead to an addiction. This newenvironment, along with the new group of social friends, was the teenager's initiation.

Continuation and Addiction

Continuation is the aspect that explains why an individual continues their ATOD Best Drug DetoxCenters in Michigan cost abuse. Using the behavioral theory's component of reinforcement is one ofthe best components of this theory that explains an individual's continuation. From my ownexperience and use of reinforcement, it can be influential in reinforcing positive and/or negativebehavior. This concept works with an addiction and explains why an individual continues to feedtheir addiction. When a person is first exposed to a drug and/or alcoholic drink they typically feelbetter about themselves and feel more outgoing. This is a positive feeling that they want toexperience again and again. Every time their drug or alcoholic drink wears off, then that individualis more likely to use it again to create that positive feeling. The continued use of ATOD makes theindividual become addicted quickly. An addiction happens once the individual has becomedependent on the drug and can't function properly without it.

Recovery and Relapse

The recovery aspect happens when an individual has mastered their addictions. Most of theseindividuals will still face cravings for their addiction; however, they have learned how to cope with it.I believe that the matrix model can be used to assist those who have addictions. It is "a behavioraltreatment approach that combines behavioral therapy, family education, individual counseling, 12-step support, drug testing, and encouragement for nondrug-related activities" (National Institute ofDrug Abuse, 2010). One of the best examples of becoming a recovered ATOD user and maintainingthat status is going to programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotic Anonymous. Theseprograms can help an individual recover and is one of many ways to prevent them from relapsing.

Relapsing is another aspect and happens when an individual begins abusing ATOD after they haverecovered. One of the main reasons as to why someone relapses is because it is difficult to maintainthat life-altering change. Making new friends and moving is sometimes a part of this change. Findingnew friends can be depressing and challenging, but if it is not done, then the former user risksrelapsing with their old friends. Also, everywhere that person goes they can experience a triggermemory in which will invoke the craving of a specific drug. This can be when they are driving past aboat and remember an amazing memory of using a drug on a boat with friends. Another examplecould be that they run into a former drug using friend; in which once again would invoke that drugusing memory. Some that I have talked with have told me that their craving memories can betriggered by a simple thing such as a sign or a commercial.

Being abstinent from ATOD can be very difficult and is something that most can't do on their own.There are a lot of different theories out there to assist and explain why people abuse drugs.However, I have my own theory that I have based on my past experiences and observations. I feel asif they all need to be integrated together to explain and assist someone with an addiction. If we wereto combine a variety of previously established theories, then we would be creating the perfect theoryfor addictions.

References

National Institute of Drug Abuse. (2010). Drug Facts: Methamphetamine. The Science of Drug Abuseand Addiction, Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine

Stevens, P., & Smith, R. (2009). Substance abuse counseling: Theory and practice. (5th ed., p. 4).Boston: Pearson.