The Heart of Addiction: An Emerging Paradigm for Understanding Addiction

Description: Brain research and human development research is advancing co-occurring counseling to a place where clients will have a better opportunity to thrive. Clinicians often view substance use disorders primarily as cognitive and behavioral issues. A pathological perspective views substance misuse from a neurological issue. This workshop explores what is perhaps the key to understanding addiction, viewing it from an attachment disorder perspective. Vincent Felitti attributes adverse childhood experiences that have resulted in poor attachments and poor emotion regulation as a high-risk factor for addiction. Kathy Brous says, “alcoholics in particular may be born with a sense of separation which results in neurotransmitter deficits.” Bickhart, et al. (2010) reported that amygdala volume correlates with reported social network size and complexity. When considering what has been learned about the brain and “what works,” a new way of looking at addiction and recovery is needed. Schindler and Bröning demonstrated empirical evidence strongly supporting the correlation between patterns of attachment and SUD. As anticipated, more studies are needed utilizing SUD assessments that measure attachment disorder. Effective prevention and treatment start with understanding the role attachment disorders have in cooccurring disorders, and inversely understanding how healthy relationships positively impact recovery.

CE Broker Tracking #: 20-908851

This event is sponsored by FMHCA, an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider. FMHCA NBCC Provider# 2058. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  FMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the epistemology of the brain as a social organ.
2. Analyze the ramifications of attachment disorders on addiction as an underlying factor.
3. Apply information learned to the field of counseling by reviewing a model the presenter has found effective.

Jack is the founder of Psuche Education, Counseling & Coaching Services. He previously served as the Executive Director at Clay Crossing, a residential facility for men. He retired from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, having served as the Admissions & Assessment Director at a 48-bed residential facility serving women with co-occurring issues. He also served as the clinical director at a male residential facility. He developed a program, The Together We Thrive program, for the Ft. Gibson School District, a K-12 program designed to identify at risk children and develop initiatives to assist them. In his doctoral dissertation he integrated spirituality, human development theories and psychotherapy. He has previously presented at a variety of conferences, to include at an International Conference.