Addiction Awareness: Helping Addicted Clients Recover – Mike Eustace

Addiction is a widespread problem that permeates all levels of society, and the damage caused to individuals and society by addiction is significant. Consider alcohol, for example. It is estimated by the UK government that as much as 5% of the population has alcohol dependency problems and the cost to the economy may be as much as £20 billion every year.

Part of the problem is that addiction is frequently misunderstood by mental health professionals and the general population, and addicts often don’t get the help they need, or are afraid to ask for it. The problem of being afraid to ask for help is particularly prevalent among professional people, for whom admitting to having an addiction problem is perhaps the hardest step of all.

In this event, I presented the neurology and psychology of addiction. I gave a brief outline of the history of the 12 Step program or recovery pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous and explained the role played by 12 Step fellowships in promoting long-term recovery from addiction and good mental health. I introduced the first step of the 12 Step program and explained how to help addicted people overcome some of the common factors that prevent recovery and lead many people to relapse.