2.3 What is the risk of addiction?

A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorders - Part I: What are concurrent disorders?

Outline - Chapter 2: Substance use problems

Research suggests that the risk of addiction varies across behaviours and substances:

about two per cent of people who gamble meet diagnostic criteria for problem gambling
between five and seven per cent of people who drink alcohol meet diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence
about 10 per cent of people who use cocaine meet diagnostic criteria for cocaine dependence
about 80 per cent of smokers meet diagnostic criteria for nicotine dependence—the highest rate of substance dependence.

Addictive behaviours are difficult to change because they are activities to which the person becomes strongly attached. They also tend to have immediate positive consequences (this is known as positive reinforcement). People who have stopped an addictive behaviour sometimes compare it to saying goodbye to a very close friend or leaving a relationship that was very important to them.

When helping someone with an addictive behaviour, it is important to understand how attractive the behaviour is to the person. As the behaviour intensifies, it increasingly preoccupies the person. Other interests and needs tend to become less important, and the behaviour becomes the primary or only way that the person gets satisfaction, even as the negative consequences grow.

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A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorders

Preface

Part I: What are concurrent disorders?

1. Introduction to concurrent disorders

2. Substance use problems

3. Mental health problems

Part II: The impact on families

4. How concurrent disorders affect family life

5. Self-care

6. Stigma

Part III: Treatment