Questions About the Addiction Profession

Each semester I ask my students to provide me any questions they would like to have answered. I do my best to answer as many as possible and are relevant to the coursework or the profession. Here are a few I have received this semester.

Why isn't porn addiction in the DSM? 

Likely due to disagreement and evidence. Professionals have attempted to have pornography and sex addiction entered into the DSM on many occasions. Professionals disagree about these being addictions. Insurance companies likely come into play here, as well. The DSM is not a set tool. As soon as one is published there is another version being worked on. A win with the DSM 5 is that "Behavioral" addictions were added. Addiction is a relatively new field of study that is lacking the "proof" (documented research). 

How can I learn about the biology of addiction?

RHAB 3975 and RHAB 4075 address the biology of addiction. 

What happens to babies born addicted to drugs?

First, that terminology is inaccurate. Babies are not born addicted to drugs. Instead, they are born "exposed" to drugs. Based on this question, I am unsure if you are wanting to know if the baby is taken from his or her parent; if the baby has physical issues; or something else? I would be happy to provide more information with that clarified. But, as a short answer...it depends on many factors. Some babies born exposed to drugs are healthy. Some have lifelong consequences (physically and socially).

Will all of the information you share be posted on Canvas?

I will post the course content. I have audio recorded my lectures in the past in order to capture the other components. If that is a desire I can do that again. 

Have you ever considered writing a book?

I wrote a workbook for a class and I am adding to it. The workbook is about self-exploration and communication. I have considered writing a guidebook for interactive group activities and I have thought about capturing information from professional experience but have not followed through with that thought. 

How do you work with clients who do not want to recover?

The most important part of counseling is helping a client with what he or she does want, rather than what we (the clinicians) wants. Therefore, helping a client who we view as not wanting recovery is the same as a client we view as wanting recovery. We ask the client what his or her goal is and work from there. Even a client who is sent/required to attend treatment likely has something he or she can get out of the experience. Working from that place helps decrease the resistance and will get all parties to a much more desirable place than pushing the client to want something he or she verbalizes undesirable. 

I would love to hear other questions or other thoughts/answers. 

An Interesting Thing About Pain

I look back at my blog history and see the transition from painful struggle to fruitful health. In the deepest, darkest despair, it seems I have been most prolific and creative. There are years my posts exceed 100. Other years there are only a handful.

I still love to write. But pain pushes my pen through valleys in a way I have yet to achieve in times of great happiness.

I have much to learn.

Anyone who knows me is exceedingly aware of my fascination with the rapper Eminem. I have hear so many people comment on his work (I take umbrage with this sentiment, by the way.) saying his music was better when he was on drugs. To me, that is akin to liking a person better when they are in pain rather than in celebration of health. Maybe he has the same issue as I. 

Sometimes when your life has been so filled with darkness, the shadows are more familiar than the light.

I have much to learn.