The Everything Health Guide to Addiction and Recovery: Control your behavior and build a better life

The Everything Health Guide to Addiction and Recovery: Control your behavior and build a better life

by Linda L Simmons
The Everything Health Guide to Addiction and Recovery: Control your behavior and build a better life

The Everything Health Guide to Addiction and Recovery: Control your behavior and build a better life

by Linda L Simmons

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Overview

For the more than 27 million Americans currently battling an addiction, recognizing the problem and seeking treatment is a tremendous challenge. This guide helps addicts and their families understand the nature of the disease so they can get the help they need. Because so many suffer from overlapping addictions, this book addresses a wide range of addictions including alcohol, prescription drugs, food, sex, gambling, shopping, and smoking. Learn how to identify symptoms and causes, overcome social obstacles, decide on the right treatment program, avoid relapse, and more. With this book by their side, addicts will come to understand themselves and how to treat their addiction so they can live happy, healthy, substance-free lives!

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781605507804
Publisher: Adams Media
Publication date: 10/17/2008
Series: Everything® Series
Sold by: SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format: eBook
Pages: 320
File size: 491 KB

About the Author

Linda L. Simmons, Psy.D. (Platte City, MO) is a licensed psychologist at Midwest Christian Counseling Center in Kansas City, Missouri, where she specializes in treatment of adult psychiatric disorders and addiction.

Table of Contents


Introduction xi Chapter 1 The Nature of Addiction 1 Abuse Versus Dependence 1 How Addiction Works in the Brain 6 Effects on Other Biological Systems 7 Emotional Effects of Addiction 8 Psychological Effects of Addiction 10 Chapter 2 Identifying Addiction 15 Risk Factors 15 Symptoms 19 When the Line Has Been Crossed 21 Self-Evaluation 21 Recognizing Addictive Behaviors 23 Denial 25 Chapter 3 What Causes Addiction? 27 The Question of Willpower 27 Genetic Factors 28 Biological Factors 30 Environmental Factors 31 Family Relations and Learned Behavior 33 Psychological Factors 35 An Addictive Personality 37 Chapter 4 Cultural Lures and Addiction 39 Advertising Is Everywhere 39 Why Advertising Is So Effective 40 The Curiosity Factor 41 Peer Pressure and Social Expectations 43 Influence by Celebrities 44 Ethnic and Cultural Differences 46 Dealing with External Pressures 47 Seeking Help 48 Chapter 5 Alcohol Addiction 49 What Is Alcoholism? 49 The "Social Drinker" 54 The Effects of Alcohol on Moods 56 How Alcohol Affects Women Versus Men 57 Reading the Signs and Symptoms 59 Talking to a Loved One about His or Her Problem 60 The Road to Recovery 61 Choosing to Take the Twelve Steps 62 The Myth of the "Dry Drunk" 63 Chapter 6 Substance Addiction 65 Introduction to Drugs 65 Common Substances of Abuse 70 How the Body Reacts 72 Knowing the Signs and Symptoms 74 The Criminal Element 75 Talking to a Loved One about His or Her Problem 76 Overcoming Substance Addiction 78 Rehab and Recovery 79 Chapter 7 Nicotine Addiction 81 Got a Light? 81 The Physiological Effects of Nicotine 84 The Psychological Component 87 The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke 88 The Most Difficult Addiction to Break? 89 Talking to a LovedOne about His or Her Problem 90 Treatment Options 91 Chapter 8 Prescription Drug Addiction 95 But the Doctor Prescribed It! 95 When the Risks Outweigh the Benefits 96 Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs 100 Drastic Measures to Get Drugs 104 Talking to a Loved One about His or Her Problem 105 Getting Help 106 Chapter 9 Food Addiction 108 When Food Becomes More than Nutrition 108 Signs of Food Addiction 109 Behavioral Contributions to Food Addiction 109 Societal Pressure 111 Are All Foods Addictive? 112 The Lure of the Drive-Through Window 115 Talking to a Loved One about His or Her Problem 116 Treatment Options 118 Chapter 10 Behavioral Addictions 120 When Does a Hobby Become an Addiction? 120 Impulsive Behavior Versus Addiction 121 Shopping/Spending Addiction 123 Exercise Addiction 126 Other Behavioral Addictions 129 Effects on Family Members 133 Talking to a Loved One about His or Her Problem 134 Seeking Help 134 Chapter 11 Gambling Addiction 136 It's Just Entertainment! 136 Watch for the Signs 140 Gambling Is Good for the Economy, Right? 141 Internet Gambling 144 The Effects on Families Are Not Fun 144 Confronting the Game 145 Treatment Options 146 Chapter 12 Relational Addictions 148 Love Addiction 148 Serial Dating 153 Sex Addiction 154 Relationships from a Distance: Cybersex 157 Chat Room Addiction 159 The Danger of Relational Addictions 160 Talking to a Loved One about His or Her Problem 160 Seeking Help 161 Chapter 13 Pornography Addiction 163 Don't All Men Like to Look? 163 Entertainment or Addiction? 165 The Effects of Pornography on Relationships 168 Legal Implications 170 Treatment for the Addict 171 Support for Partners of Pornography Addicts 173 Chapter 14 Technology and Addiction 174 The New Complication in Addictions 174 Video Game Addiction 177 Addiction to Cell Phones and Other Technological Devices 180 Internet Addiction 182 The Lure of Anonymity 184 Talking to a Loved One about His or Her Problem 185 Seeking Help 186 Chapter 15 Roadblocks to Treatment 188 Dealing with Denial 188 Budgeting for Treatment 191 Finding the Right Treatment for You 194 Locating Qualified Professionals 197 What if Treatment Threatens My Job? 198 Talking to Friends and Family about Treatment 199 Getting Support 200 Chapter 16 Additional Treatment Options 201 Detoxification 201 Medications Used in Addiction and Recovery 203 Alternative Treatment Options 209 Faith-Based Treatment Programs 216 The Risks of Treatment 217 Chapter 17 Recovery 218 Become Knowledgeable about Recovery 218 Changing Thinking Patterns 219 Technological Aids 222 Avoiding Relapse 224 Effective Use of Support Systems 226 Utilizing Community Resources 228 The Face of Healthy Recovery 229 Chapter 18 Relapse Prevention 231 Be Prepared 231 Recognizing Triggers 235 Managing-and Recovering from-Slips 236 Be Aware of High-Risk Situations 237 Evaluating Relationships 239 Developing Healthy Self-Esteem 240 Keep the Support Going! 241 Chapter 19 Real-Life Considerations 243 Someone Has to Pay the Bills 243 Who's Going to Take Out the Trash? 249 Maintaining Healthy Relationships 251 Effective Time Management 252 You Can Be a Good Parent and Help Yourself 256 Restoring Credibility in the Community 257 Chapter 20 How Addictions Affect Family Members 259 Damaged Family Bonds 259 Dealing with Difficult Emotions 261 Communication Is Key 263 Constructive Fighting 265 When Roles Are Reversed 267 The Effects of Financial Hardships 270 Rebuilding Trust 271 Establishing New and Healthy Family Relationships 272 Chapter 21 Hope for a Balanced Life 274 The Mind-Body-Spirit Connection 274 Good Self-Care 275 Personal Growth 278 Meaningful Work and Passionate Play 279 Making Room for Therapy 281 Developing Satisfying Relationships 282 Leave the Past Behind and Look to the Future 283 Appendix A 285 Appendix B 291 Index 300
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