SUBSTANCE MISUSE

“Addiction is the opposite of connection”- Johanna Hari

“Addiction is a misguided solution to a problem.” Sue Brown, LCSW

Addiction is a disease that changes brain functioning. It is about feeling at dis-ease. It is not about having enough will power to stop or having something wrong with you. Addiction tends to start out slow, socially, to check out and than it becomes a progressive illness

Have you ever felt out of control?
Hopeless?
That you aren’t enough?
Struggle with perfectionism?
Has your addiction allowed you to feel less of that?

Signs

• Loss of control over use
• Using more than intended
• Difficulty reducing
• Significant time obtaining, using, and recovering
• Continue behavior even when you know it leads to a path of destruction
• Risky use
• Social/family/occupational problems
• Physical effects
• Cravings
• Tolerance
• Withdraws