Cross-Addiction

When Good Medicine Yields Bad Results for People with Chemical Dependency Problems

by Robert M. “Mike” Leath, MD

People recovering from addiction to drugs or alcohol frequently don’t consider their problem to extend beyond their drug of choice. But this is not necessarily true. If a person has addiction issues with a particular substance, it is appropriate to consider this person will likely have problems with all classes of addictive substances.

Many relapses occur when recovering individuals feel that their addiction is under control and therefore controlled use is possible. Or, the person may recognize that their previous drug of choice is obviously not an option, but may feel that experimentation with other substances is harmless. Relapses under these circumstances may be unfortunate, but the person is rarely surprised of the outcome following this behavior.

DSM-V - Major Changes to Addictive Disease Classifications

by Bob Curley

The first draft of the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) eliminates the disease categories for substance abuse and dependence and replaces it with a new “addictions and related disorders” -- just one of several major changes to the “Bible” used almost universally to diagnose (and get insurance reimbursement for) behavioral-health problems.

“Eliminating the category of dependence will better differentiate between the compulsive drug-seeking behavior of addiction and normal responses of tolerance and withdrawal that some patients experience when using prescribed medications that affect the central nervous system,” the APA explained in a Feb. 10 press release.

“The term dependence is misleading, because people confuse it with addiction, when in fact the tolerance and withdrawal patients experience are very normal responses to prescribed medications that affect the central nervous system,” said Charles O’Brien, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the APA’s DSM Substance-Related Disorders Work Group. “On the other hand, addiction is compulsive drug- seeking behavior which is quite different. We hope that this new classification will help end this wide-spread misunderstanding.”

Recognition - It’s Good for Your Career & Your Mental Health

NAADAC Programs Recognize Outstanding Achievement

by Donovan Kuehn

Donovan Kuehn
NAADAC Director of Operations and Outreach

Recognition: it is hard-wired into the human brain. From the time we’re children, seeking approval from our parents, to adulthood and our work lives - a positive comment or reward can help keep us motivated and striving for improvement.

Abraham Maslow, a psychologist from the mid-20th century, formulated a theory on the needs of human beings. This theory, later dubbed “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs,” laid out the basic components of life that people need to survive and thrive. His theory laid out five steps, with each component needing to be fulfilled before a person could move on to the next step. The progression of Maslow’s needs are as follows:

Physiological Needs

These are biological needs: oxygen, food, water and a relatively constant body temperature. These needs are the strongest needs because a person requires these things to survive.

Polishing the Miracle

Rev. Leo Booth
Unity minister, published author and conference speaker

I think the phrase that excites and intrigues many people in Alcoholics Anonymous in step twelve, is having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps. For me it is powerful because it becomes a spring-board for my imagination; what is the spiritual awakening? Where does it take us? What is needed to keep the awakening alive?

Let’s step back for a moment and see what we have achieved in completing steps one through eleven. This is obviously my understanding of how the steps work, others have written about this incredible program and it has become enriched by ideas and experiences discovered in the fellowship. And that’s how it should be. These suggested steps will mean different things to different people, depending upon their religion, culture and philosophical backgrounds.

Generally speaking this is what steps one to eleven mean to me: