This course provides training and CEUs for addicitons counselors and LPCs working in Addictions, Mental Health and Co-Occurring Disorders will help counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, alcohol and drug counselors and addictions professionals get continuing education and certification training to aid them in providing services guided by best practices. AllCEUs is approved by the california Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC), NAADAC, the Association for Addictions Professionals, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Board of Georgia (ADACB-GA), the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and most states.

1. Theories of Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes Ph.D., LMHC, CRC, NCC Executive Director, AllCEUs.com

2. Describe the following theories of addiction Moral Theory Disease Theory Learning and Behavioral Theory Sociocultural Theories Describe the theories of mental disorders Cognitive Behavioral Biological and Genetic Learning Theory Co-Occurring Disorders Learner Objectives

3. Addiction Theories

4. Addiction is the result of moral weakness Associated character traits/defects include: Gluttony Sloth Envy Pride Anger Recovery is achieved through the use of willpower and discipline, and the development of a virtuous lifestyle Moral Theory

5. Addiction is caused by a physiological deficit making the person unable to tolerate the drug Diseases are incurable, progressive and fatal if left untreated Disease Theory

6. Addiction is learned both through observation/vicarious reinforcement and direct experiences People learn through observation that addictive behaviors can be used to: Cope with stress, depression, anxiety or anger Feel more relaxed and sociable Escape from pain People who find relief in a pleasurable behavior are more likely to engage in that behavior again. Learning and Behavioral Theory

7. Sociocultural theories expand upon learning theory Initiation of addictive behaviors is supported in influences in: The environment Media Social circles (Peer pressure) Sociocultural Theories

8. Mental Health Theories

9. Irrational thoughts and cognitive distortions can lead to negative emotions and reactions Over time people “learn” or “acquire” certain thinking patterns When problems arise, these negative thought patterns can lead to a negative emotional reaction (anxiety, stress, anger, depression) Cognitive Behavioral

10. Imbalances in neurotransmitters such as GABA, norepinepherine and serotonin can lead to negative emotional states It is thought that some mental health disorders are passed on through genetics Additionally poor nutrition, unsafe environments and lack of adequate rest can lead to similar neurochemical imbalances Biological and Genetic

11. Depression, anxiety and anger are often related to cognitive distortions and thinking errors Children learn through observation and direct experience how to think about and react to certain situations. When children are exposed to people who display cognitive distortions, then they acquire those same dysfunctional ways of reacting. Learning Theory

12. In American society most people with addictions have a concurrent mental health disorder The Mental health disorder may have come first, and the person may be self-medicating with the addiction The addiction may have come first and caused Neurochemical changes leading to depression and anxiety Changes in the social support and environment of the person leading to reactive depression, anxiety and/or anger Co-Occurring Disorders

13. There are a variety of explanations of where an addiction comes from Most people with addictions also have mental health issues Co-occurring disorders must be treated concurrently otherwise you have A depressed clean person who is likely to use again to make the negative feelings stop An addict who is regularly disrupting his biopsychosocial environment causing stress and depression Summary