Category » Applied Philosophy & Psychology
This week’s blog concludes the review of Hashmet’s (2017) list of reasons for addictive behaviours (genetic predisposition, low entry cost, cultural, incremental, personality, loneliness & self-medication) with a second look at incremental causes, or the slippery slope. Hashmet cited the slippery slope under the ironic title of One Step at a Time, the 12-step mantra […]
Why did I use? Loneliness is an increasing problem of social disconnection that some researchers cite as a primary cause and sustaining factor of addictive behaviours. (Automat, Edward Hopper, 1927 Courtesy, Des Moines Art Center, Iowa)
This week’s blog continues looking at Hashmet’s (2017) list of reasons for addictive behaviours (genetic predisposition, low entry cost, cultural, incremental, personality, loneliness & self-medication). Herein, self-medication, as a causal factor, is examined. Citing Khantzian (2012), Hashmet stated that, “…individuals with deficits in skills relevant for modifying emotional reactions and tolerance for negative emotions use drugs […]
In the preceding blog, Why did I use? II, the fourth, of seven categories of use, was examined and discussed (genetic predisposition, low entry cost, cultural, incremental, personality, loneliness & self-medication). This week, personality, as a causal factor, is examined. Readers may recall that last week’s post, on incremental use, when analyzed, was also related […]
Before diving into the causes of addictive behaviours, let’s contextualize the opinions in this blog. When queried, the University of Guelph’s library database, referencing “reasons for drug use,” identified 1,663,210 sources. These were journals, books, individual research findings, and more. The point is, this topic, like most discussed in these blogs, is vast and evolving. […]
In last week’s post the relationship between identity (Who I am?) and recovery was discussed. A significantly related question, that arises in SMART discussion groups, is Why did I use? My premise is that these questions are strongly related through the following arguments: Healthy people accept pain and emote freely. Some less healthy people deny […]
It is possible that the hardest part of moving from self-centred addiction to life-centred health involves identity, that is, creating a new and satisfying answer to the question, Who am I? As SMART recovery attendees will know, an equally vexing question is Why did I use? I believe these questions are related; the first is […]
In the last month I was asked if SMART Recovery facilitators have a conflict of interest when two (or more) related parties attend different meetings, both hosted by one facilitator. As others may have wondered about this issue, clarification is probably useful. First, facilitators are encouraged to be non-judgmental of all attendees. Of the facilitators […]
These blogs usually begin with image selection. It took some time to find a graphic expression of open-handed letting go i.e., the opposite of white knuckling. It’s noteworthy that, despite the title, these dancers are stretching (in tension) after a rehearsal or performance. Which brings us to the factors common to sobriety, recovery, and dancers […]
In recent SMART Recovery meetings, two states of being were thrown into the ring: being sober versus being in recovery. As the illustration above indicates, sobriety alone, often referred to as “white-knuckling it” (i.e., hanging on for dear life), is sheer desperation. Recovery, when fully embraced, is a full colour, values-based, outward-reaching life of well-spirited […]