addictions to overcome

1. ADDICTIO
N
THERAP
Y

2. The above three behaviours can easily leak into
each other, for instance with alcohol use, problem
drinking can become physical addiction. The latter
describes the seizures and physical organ
shutdown if the body does not receive the amount
of alcohol that it is used to.
BECOME ADDICTED
WHY DO WE

3. • Neurotransmitters affect how we feel. When the
brain is working perfectly the right neurotransmitters
will travel via a perfect synapse around the brain.
• The entire process, along with each of the
neurotransmitters, can be affected by many things.
Poor diet, stimulants, stress, drugs and many other
problems can cause an imbalance that is the basis of
many mental health problems.
• Addictive substances and the use of them affect brain
chemistry – usually by stunting emotion, or
stimulating neurotransmission.

4. Neurotransmitters are split into two groups. Those that
stimulate the brain and those that calm and offer mood
balance.
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters are the balancing, calming
neurotransmitter and they include the following:
• Gaba is the Neurotransmitter that deals with
over firing of excitatory neurotransmitters in
the brain. It is another inhibitory, calming
neurotransmitter. Valium has a similar effect
on the brain.
• Dopamine is both an excitatory and an
inhibitory neurotransmitter as it’s thought to
trigger motivation along with a calming effect
on the brain. Linked with reward and pleasure
areas of the brain dopamine also helps to
regulate emotional responses.
• Serotonin In the right amounts it keeps us
happy and calm. Serotonin regulates many
processes such as carbohydrate cravings,
sleep cycle, pain control and appropriate
digestion. Low serotonin levels are
associated with decreased immune system
function and low mood.

6. • Any addictive substance will affect the state of normal
function within the brain. When the addicted person
enjoys the abnormal function (which is usually the
case) then this brain change becomes more important
than other things in life, to the consumer.
• Life problems begin to occur, relationships change,
loved ones leave and eventually the addiction is all
the person has left. In addition, physical health and
well-being suffer as part of addictive behaviour.
• People can turn to drink or another addictive
substance after a big life change, this can be loss of
freedom, grief or a life changing illness. This is
another consideration when linking human needs to
addictive choices.

7. • The rat park was created in order to monitor
whether caged animals would choose a
morphine solution or plain water to drink,
dependent on their living conditions.
• The findings of the study showed that rats who
lived in an area of high stimulation, where all of
their needs were met, inclusive of social needs,
chose to avoid drinking morphine substance
and opted for water instead.
• This was in sharp contrast to rats that lived in
stark cages, in isolation, with no stimulus –
these animals opted for the morphine solution
every time.
In short, it seems that the rats who were able to live
happily, in company and with fulfilment were most likely
to avoid addictive substance.
EXPERIMENT
RAT
HEAVEN

8. Many believe that by meeting the most basic human
needs we can avoid many types of illness, reaction,
mental health problem, inclusive of addiction.
With so many studies stating how addiction is usually a
reaction to unhappiness, we have to admit that we must
truly look deeper at the life of the addicted person and
work on their basic human needs. In order to provide
long-term help and empowerment.
CONNECTION
ADDICTION VS

9. APPROACH
HUMAN GIVENS
• The human givens approach is one which naturally takes into
account the needs and well-being of the sufferer or potential
sufferer of depression.
• The human givens approach is the work of a group of psychologists
and therapists that were trying better to understand why and how
depression has become so widespread. It is an extension or
adaption to holistic health and mental distress.
• Neurobiology, psychology and society are all taken into account
with this approach. It is based around research that humans, like all
animals, are born and live with a set of needs. When the needs
(called the givens here) are met, then mental ill health is not a
possibility.
• The approach states that our natural inner guidance works to meet
our essential needs (our givens) and when the inner guidance and
the external environment do not match that is when mental health
problems appear.

10. • Air to breathe
• Nutritious food
• Sufficient and secure shelter for reproduction
• Sufficient sleep
• The freedom to stimulate our senses and exercise our
muscles
• Water
Given physical needs:

11. Emotional needs include:
• Security — safe territory and an environment which
allows us to develop fully
• Attention (to give and receive it) — a form of nutrition
• Sense of autonomy and control — having volition to
make responsible choices
• Emotional intimacy — to know that at least one other
person accepts us totally for who we are, “warts 'n' all”
• Feeling part of a wider community
• Privacy — opportunity to reflect and consolidate
experience
• Sense of status within social groupings
• Sense of competence and achievement
• Meaning and purpose — which come from being
stretched in what we do and think.

12. The resources nature gave us to help us meet our
needs include:
• Consciousness and rational thinking
• Dreaming
• Emotion
• Imagination
• Instinct
• Learning ability and memory
• Objectiveness
• Observation
• Rapport and connection with others
• The ability to empathise