Addiction and the Brain (Part 2)

ADDICTION AND THE BRAIN

Part Two – Dual Diagnostic Issues

Addiction has a very high recidivism rate. There are many reasons for it: a. the very nature of the disease itself: genetic predisposition; chronicity; multiple brain and neurochemical interactions b. commitment to daily recovery process c. addiction interaction disorder d. dual diagnostic issues

The most common addiction co-morbidities:

Dysthymic Disorder: minor to moderate depression; angry, critical, judgmental, negative, cynical

Social Anxiety Disorder: fear of groups, public speaking, saying the wrong thing, being made fun of, ridiculed, often loner types

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: emotional, physical, sexual abuse, catastrophes; loss of major person in life; divorce, abortion, especially victims of chronic abuse

Attention Deficit Disorder: genetically attracted to excitement, danger, novelty; either hyperactive or inattentive type; impulsive, easily bored/distracted; chaotic lifestyles

Narcissistic/Histrionic Personality Disorder

Anti-Social Personality Disorder

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Ted Wolgamot, Psy.D., CRADC, CSAT-S