How many types of addiction are there? You might as well ask the old question, “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” Both these questions can be endlessly argued among addiction therapists and theologians, and no one will come up with the “right” answer because there is none!

Addiction therapists often differ in their view of what constitutes a true addiction, and what can be classified as simply “people behaving badly.” For example, addiction purists regard the only true addictions as those involving substances like alcohol, cocaine, opiates, meth, and all the other drugs of abuse that cause both physical and psychological dependence (addiction). These therapists diagnose addicted patients straight from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, Version Four, Text Revision (the DSM-IV-TR). They do not acknowledge any type of addiction except substance dependence.

On the other side are the addiction therapists who believe that there are certain behavioral addictions such as food addiction, sex addiction, theft addiction, pornography addiction and gambling addiction. Purists see these as “people behaving badly” who should not be excused from the consequences of their actions by saying, “I can’t help it. I’m addicted to this behavior.”

The truth is that research shows that substance addition and behavioral addictions most often go hand-in-hand. For example, a pathological gambler almost always sits at the poker table or at the race track with a big glass of alcohol in his hand that keeps getting refilled. A woman who shoplifts impulsively usually smokes cigarettes to calm her anxiety about getting caught.

Let’s take a look at some established characteristics of addiction:

• Frequent attempts to “cut down” or stop that always fail
• Intense anxiety when waiting to engage in addictive behavior/drug use
• Social, occupation and legal consequences
• Advice from others to stop
• Needing to “feed” the addiction more than anything else
• Denial that there is a problem with behavior/drug use

Depending upon your viewpoint, these characteristics could apply to either substance addiction or behavioral addiction, or both. So what should you do if you are ready to admit that you have what might be called a behavioral addiction? It’s essential that you find an addiction rehabilitation program with counselors who believe that certain behaviors are addictive. In this type of program, you will learn how to develop self-control over your problem behavior, resist urges, and prevent relapses.

If you think you have a problem with either your use of substances or troublesome behavior that you can’t control, open the Yellow Pages and start looking under “addiction counseling” or “mental health.” Then pick up the phone and start calling. Don’t stop until you find a therapist who can help you reach your goal of abstinence.

People become addicted to a wide variety of things – chocolate, caffeine and shopping, for instance. But when the addiction involves alcohol, alcohol addiction treatment is needed because this substance is one of the most mind-altering. If treatment is delayed, it could lead to an escalation of the addiction to the point where the addict is completely incapacitated.
Alcohol addiction treatment coordinators typically subscribe to two different beliefs – either that alcoholism is a disease or that alcoholism is a choice. The first step of alcohol addiction treatment is admitting that the drinking has gotten out of hand, it is a problem, it’s time to stop now and help is required in order to successfully do so.

Alcohol addiction treatment facilities typically require detoxification of some variety. This involves an immediately effective abstinence from all alcohol, with help from counselors and group support meetings. During the detox phase, some alcohol addiction treatment centers administer drugs that mimic the effect of alcohol to help the addict wean off the substance with as few side effects as possible. Other alcohol addiction treatment centers may prefer all-natural approaches to detox, with saunas and massages.

Essentially, the end goal of alcohol addiction treatment is to help the person heal their whole person – mind, soul, body and emotions. Most alcohol addictions have an underlying cause and this will be examined during the treatment process.
If the alcohol addiction treatment is successful, the recovering addict will emerge with renewed self-confidence, optimism, purpose and a whole group of supportive friends who are going through the exact same life experience. By no means does recovery conclude when a patient exits the alcohol addiction treatment center’s doors. It is instead a lifelong process of exerting willpower to overcome alcohol’s temptation, but alcohol addiction treatment gives a person the tools, confidence and support needed to embark on that journey.

A center for substance abuse treatment is a facility, typically licensed and/or certified, where assistance can be received in overcoming addiction to drugs or alcohol. Such services may include clinical counseling, group, individual or family therapy, support group meetings, detoxification, organized social activities, classes on life matters like parenting, job skills, financial management, and much more.

A center for substance abuse treatment may be live-in or outpatient, with participants visiting on a regular basis for treatment. Hospitals, rehabilitation clinics or recovery homes are a few of the structures that can function as a center for substance abuse treatment. They are usually staffed with at least one medical professional and possibly a certified counselor. In many cases, at least one staff member will themselves be a recovering addict, many years clean or sober, who can relate to what patients are experiencing.

Centers for substance abuse treatment take different approaches for various reasons. For instance, some believe addiction is a disease and others believe it is a choice. Some believe detoxification is necessary with the assistance of drugs to lessen the effects of withdrawal, while others prefer a more natural, drug-free approach to detox. These viewpoints will affect the center’s approach to substance abuse treatment. Ultimately, centers for substance abuse treatment share the same desire – for patients to emerge as independent, functioning, contributing members of society. The ultimate goal of all centers is to heal the whole person – mind, body and spirit.

Wow! I can’t believe how much of Book 3 I missed. The skills I’ve learned in the Basic Study Manual will be invaluable to me in my future studies at Narconon. I am very grateful to Narconon for providing me with the opportunity to better develop my study skills and I am grateful that I’ve got a good instructor to supervise that I properly attain these skills being offered.

-Richard P.

After completing the BSH I am now really aware of how things are run here, all the perks, etc. It is really cool how things are set up and I plan to use this all through my time that I am here.

-Ed T.

The Basic Study Manual was a very helpful guide. I enjoyed ho wit expanded on the basic’s given in Book 3. It has given me the tools necessary to keep personal understanding of any given subject at its highest caliber.

-Eric K.

I truly enjoyed this study order. It made me aware of my role as a SCO, what tools are available to me, what my ranges of duties are, and how to handle different situations.

The Basic Study Manual has truly done so much for my studying abilities. It reiterated Book 3 but went way above and beyond. I feel so much more confident in my study abilities and my abilities to help/assist others.

I have really been enlightened about the organization. I have a better understanding of what and organizing board is and it’s function. I understand the importance of knowing what condition I am in with 1st and 3rd Dynamics and their effects (overall). I know what type of documentation to use for different reasons. I see the significance of handling any “traffic” promptly.
-Cynthia C.

Due to my undertaking of the Security Officer role I found the course both informative and helpful and it will definitely aid me in the execution of my duties. Being totally naïve to drug culture and usage, I believe it is important that all new hires do this course.

-Andrew S.

I came to the Stone Hawk facility for an interview and just a job. But after going through the studies and meeting/getting to know the students and staff, I am going to have a career that will last for a long time. I never knew about the facility or all the things that go into running it smoothly. Now that I have completed the studies I can say just how much I know now about what the program is all about. I am impressed …how much I am looking forward to starting work!

-V. Sephton

Just like in Book 3, the Basic study Manual has helped me remember and has allowed me to see how much of a problem I’ve had all through life studying. Being that it’s been over 7 months since I was in Book 3, I see just how much not practicing on a regular basis allows you to “slip” or become “glib” in my everyday study/reading. My mind is focused and I have a better understanding of myself than ever. This part of the program will be used daily and continuously to ensure that I will get optimum learning in everything I read. Thus, allowing me to read full potential in everything I do. This part, “Basic Study”, can and will be used in the upbringing of my children; which will benefit themselves and society in infinite possibilities. It will provide them (my children) with greater, happier, more successful and prosperous lifestyles. Another great benefit of knowing this and working here is that it will give me key answers to finding these problems in all students that will study under me, allowing me to greatly help these people. Man…how much this does for dynamics and everyone else’s, ripple effect.

-Mike S.