Ch. 3- Process Addictions

What biases do you find in yourself about process addictions?

I find that because the physical dependency piece is not a part of process addictions, I may be less understanding and potentially less patient when it comes to the treatment process because I think I expect since the physiological blocks are less

 

Are there some behaviors your more readily accept or reject as being problematic or addicting? What shapes your views of these processes?

I honestly believe that any behavior can be problematic once it becomes impairing to a person’s life. When I think about the work addiction and how depending upon a person’s background working long hours or even multiple jobs is an accepted part of life and maybe even a societal expectation. It isn’t the action or behavior of working a lot that is problematic, it is the toll that it takes upon an individual, their family and their ability to function.

 

Are you more likely to call something an addiction if you are uncomfortable with the behavior or view it as undesirable or unhealthy?

I am more likely to call something an addiction if it has become disruptive to a person’s life and functioning. A key aspect in my view on the nature of addiction is the impairment. Everything from relationships to one’s livelihood is jeopardized by the behavior. Just because I am uncomfortable with the behavior or it is unhealthy in my view does not mean that an individual is addicted.

 

How might your own beliefs, morality, or spiritual beliefs shape your views of your client’s problems?

I may find it difficult to not minimize someone’s problems especially if I feel like the need to change is so much greater than the satisfaction they receive from their addiction. For example, if I am working with a client who is a compulsive buyer I may focus more on the process of self-regulation instead of processing their thoughts and feelings. I may want to jump right into changing the behavior instead of taking the time to build rapport because of my view of the importance of getting active to make change.

Ch. 2- MI and Sahira

Just to remind everyone here are the questions we’re thinking about this week.

• After reviewing the web references for this week, discuss what types of approaches are you more comfortable with?
• What strengths do you have as an individual to assist someone similar to Sahira?
• What are areas that you might feel you need to work on?

I first learned about motivational interviewing during a training at my job and I was most drawn to this approach because of its focus on maintaining a person-centered approach and honoring the autonomy of the client. Sahira’s case reinforced to me the importance of honoring autonomy in particular because her journey to recovery was not the cold turkey/full detox approach that some professionals and facilities may mandate. For me, Sahira’s case represents the need for professionals to meet clients where they are in a nonjudgmental way to best help them make the changes they want for their lives. I think that motivational interviewing allows for Sahira to set the steps to reach her goal of sobriety that are based upon her own motivations. I have worked with clients similar to Sahira for whom finding their own way and motivations for change was stronger and more effective than any plan I could make for them. My strengths as an individual when assisting someone like Sahira stem from my belief that even when in crisis or lost in addiction,  everyone is capable (with help and encouragement of course) of finding their motivation for change and making a commitment that is meaningful for themselves. I believe in people’s ability to recover in their own way, at their own pace, and at their own time. Nevertheless, balance is key in most things in life and I can acknowledge that an area that I need to work on is the flip side of my understanding and patient approach. It’s difficult for me to give people that little push/kick-in-the-pants/reality check when needed. Once a person has figured out that they want to change and has thought about and agreed to the steps, I need to be able to also help them stay accountable to themselves and responsible for their recovery efforts. Addiction is serious and so is recovery therefore I believe that helping a person stay accountable is just as important as taking a person-centered approach to counseling.