Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Why I Wrote This Book 2
How This Book Can Help 3
How to Use This Book 4
Chapter 1 What's the Big Deal About Addictions? 6
Casual Use or Addictive Use? 7
Even Occasional Use Can Lead to Addiction 8
Substance Use Disorder 10
Benefits of Using Drugs and Alcohol 15
Consequences of Using Drugs and Alcohol 16
Can Teens Use Drugs and Alcohol Responsibly? 18
Chapter 2 Alcohol Use-Just the Facts 20
Types of Alcohol 21
Blood Alcohol Concentration 22
Reasons People Use Alcohol 24
Risks of Using Alcohol 24
Drinking Responsibly 28
Chapter 3 Drug Use-Just the Facts 31
What Is a Drug? 32
What Is Drug Abuse? 33
Types of Drugs People Abuse 34
Specific Drugs People Abuse 37
Drugs and the Legal System 55
Other Concerns About Drug Use 58
Chapter 4 Tech (Electronics) Addictions 60
Use of Electronic Devices 61
Gaming Addiction 62
Phone Addiction 66
Social Media Addiction 68
Cyberbullying 70
Other Problems Associated with Electronics Addictions 71
Recovering from Electronics Addictions 72
Chapter 5 Other Activity Addictions 74
Addiction or Bad Habit? 75
Food Addiction 76
Sex and Love Addictions 79
Porn Addiction 81
Sexting Addiction 83
Self-Injury Addiction 84
Shopping Addiction 86
Gambling and Betting Addiction 87
Chapter 6 Getting Help with Addictions 89
The Stages of Recovery 90
Deciding If You Are Ready to Quit 93
The Recovery Process 94
Withdrawal 95
Types of Treatment 96
Support Groups and Self-Help Groups 102
Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders 106
A Word of Caution, and Hope 107
Chapter 7 Preventing Relapse 108
Relapse or Recurrence of Symptoms? 108
The Relapse Process: Identifying Triggers and Warning Signs 110
Finding Healthy Substitutes for Addictions 114
Learning to Manage Your Emotions 115
Building Your Social Support System 119
Pursuing a Healthier Lifestyle 120
Other Coping Strategies for Preventing Relapse 123
Honesty Is the Best Policy 131
Drug Testing 131
Handling a Slip or Relapse 132
Taking It Day by Day 133
A Concluding Note 124
Glossary of Terms About Addiction 135
Resources for Help and Information 145
Bibliography 148
Index 154
About the Author 159