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Lesson Preparation

Before coming to your training, please do the following:

List the names of associates you think may have substance abuse issues and bring this list to the collaborative training. Keep these associates in mind throughout this lesson.

Lesson Preview

Understanding addiction and its causes will help you assist those who might be struggling with it. In this lesson, you will learn more about (1) what addiction is, (2) its causes and triggers, and (3) the Christlike attributes you can develop to support associates struggling with addiction.

Note: Although this lesson contains information, theories, and personal anecdotes about addiction, the Church does not endorse any specific approach to or theory about addiction or addiction recovery. There are many other valuable theories about addiction. The information and stories in this lesson are included to help you think about ways to help your associates who are struggling with addiction. As you work with these associates, seek the guidance of the Spirit to know how to help them best.

Understanding Addiction

From the following list, choose and complete one or more activities that best apply to your situation.

Activity 1

Many models and theories explain addiction. The video “Landscape of the Mind: Addiction Explained” (available on mormonchannel.org) focuses on one of these models and provides a unique perspective on what happens to the brain during addiction. Before watching the video, review the Addiction Video Quiz found in the “Lesson Resources” section, Resource 1. Then watch the video and follow the instructions on the quiz to complete this activity.

Activity 2

Some scholars, practitioners, and organizations promote the idea that substance addiction is a disease. Supporting data includes brain imaging studies showing that drug consumption strongly affects the brain, disrupting the way in which nerve cells normally communicate, and targeting the brain’s reward system. This rewiring of the brain causes compulsive behavior—such as drug seeking, use, and abuse—in spite of the harm this may cause to the addict or to those around the addict (for more information see the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.).

As a group, discuss:

In what ways can substance addiction be considered a disease?
What evidence or supporting data is there to support the claim that addiction is a disease?
In what ways does substance addiction differ from a disease?
What evidence or supporting data is there to support the claim that addiction is not a disease?

Then, discuss the following:

How can understanding that the brain is flexible and capable of creating new signals and patterns help you be patient when working with associates struggling with addiction?
How can understanding that the brain is flexible and capable of creating new signals and patterns help you develop and maintain hope when working with someone struggling with addiction?
How can you encourage your associates to feel hope to overcome addiction?
What questions do you have about addiction?
What insights have you gained from this activity that will help you better support associates with addiction problems?

Activity 3

Invite a person who has struggled with addiction to talk to you about his or her experiences. This person could talk about any of the following questions:

How would you define addiction?
What were your thoughts before, during, and after addictive behavior?
How would you describe your desire to use alcohol or drugs?
What were the consequences of engaging in addictive behavior?
How did your addiction progress?
Did you notice when your addiction was worsening?
Were you able to understand the consequences of your addictive behavior?
How would you explain the power of addiction to someone who has never struggled with it?
How much mental, physical, or spiritual effort did you have to put forth to overcome addiction? Explain.
How were you able to find hope to overcome an addiction?
What advice would you give to people working with addicts?

You could also ask additional questions to help you understand addiction and learn more from this person’s experiences.

Identifying Causes and Triggers of Addiction

From the following list, choose and complete one or more activities that best apply to your situation.

Activity 1

As a group, list at least 10 to 15 different factors that contribute to addiction and discuss why they are factors. Then discuss and classify these factors into the three following categories:

1 Genetic or Biological
2 Environmental
3 Personal and Psychological

Explain why you have classified each factor this way and reach a consensus among class members about each classification. Then discuss the following:

How well do these classifications explain the contributing factors to addiction?
Are there additional classifications for contributing factors? If yes, explain.
Do any of the factors discussed in this activity directly lead to substance abuse or addiction? Explain.
Why is it important for you to know about the factors that contribute to substance abuse and addiction?

Activity 2

Complete the true or false Possible Causes of Addiction quiz found in the “Lesson Resources” section, Resource 2. If a statement is false, correct it and write down a true statement. Once everyone has finished the quiz, discuss your answers with the rest of the group.

Additionally, discuss the following as a group:

Did any of the statements surprise you? Explain.
How would you expand on any of the statements?
What other factors would you include that contribute to substance abuse and addiction?
What groups of people might be at risk for substance abuse or addiction? Explain.
Do any of the factors discussed in this activity directly lead to substance abuse or addiction? Why or why not?
Why is it important for you to know about the possible causes of substance abuse and addiction?
What has been the most valuable part of this lesson for you?

Activity 3

Invite a person who has struggled with addiction to talk about his or her experiences with the group. This person could talk about any the following questions:

What was your life like when you started your addictive behavior?
Why did you engage in addictive behavior?
What factors contributed to your addictive behaviors?
Why did substance abuse or addiction feel like an answer to these problems? How did substance abuse turn out to be a temporary solution?
How did you come to recognize the causes of your addiction?

You could also ask additional questions to help you understand addiction and learn more from this person’s experiences.

Developing a More Christlike Approach

From the following list, choose and complete one or more activities that best apply to your situation.

Activity 1

Choose two videos about substance abuse and addiction to watch from the 12 Steps to Change series (available on addictionrecovery.lds.org). As you watch, pay attention to how people felt during their addictive behaviors, when they decided to change, and how they felt after they started the path to recovery.

After watching the videos, discuss the following as a group:

How did the people in the videos feel about themselves and their lives while addicted?
What was a turning point in their lives?
In each of the stories, people testify about feeling the love and power of God. How did this help them in their recovery process?
How did other people involved in the story help them change? Explain.
Only the Savior had the power to atone for our sins, infirmities, weakness, and suffering. Only He has the power to heal. However, you can still reach out to people in need. How can you reach out and become an extension of the Savior’s love for those dealing with addiction?
What Christlike attributes could you develop to help people overcome their addictions? Discuss at least five attributes.

Activity 2

Throughout the scriptures, the Lord compares His people to sheep and describes Himself as the Good Shepherd. Sheep sometimes get lost, and the Good Shepherd goes and looks for them.

Watch the video “Jesus Declares the Parable of the Lost Sheep” from The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos (biblevideos.org). Then as a group, discuss the following questions:

How far away did the sheep stray?
How did the shepherd feel about his sheep? Explain.
How do you think the sheep felt while it was lost?

Read the following quotes:

President David O. McKay taught:

“How did that sheep get lost? He was not rebellious. If you follow the comparison, the lamb was seeking its livelihood in a perfect legitimate manner, but either stupidly, perhaps unconsciously, it followed the enticement of the field, the prospect of better grass until it got out beyond the fold and was lost” (New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 167).

In speaking about the parable, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf declared:

“The sheep is worthy of divine rescue simply because it is loved by the Good Shepherd.

“To me, the parable of the lost sheep is one of the most hopeful passages in all of scripture.

“Our Savior, the Good Shepherd, knows and loves us. He knows and loves you.

“He knows when you are lost, and He knows where you are. He knows your grief. Your silent pleadings. Your fears. Your tears.

“It matters not how you became lost—whether because of your own poor choices or because of circumstances beyond your control.

“What matters is that you are His child. And He loves you. He loves His children” (“He Will Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You Home,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 102).

As a group, discuss the following:

What insights do President McKay and President Uchtdorf provide about this parable?
How could you apply these teachings to your associates who might struggle with substance abuse and addiction?
What do the parable of the lost sheep and these prophetic statements teach us about the Savior’s love for the lost sheep?
What are some of Christ’s attributes portrayed in the parable of the lost sheep? Explain.
How can you emulate those attributes as you work with associates who have addictions?

Activity 3

Invite a person who has struggled with addiction to talk to class members about his or her experiences. This person could talk about any of the following:

How did you feel when you were struggling with addiction?
How did people treat you when you were struggling with addiction?
What helped you overcome addiction?
How did someone help you in a Christlike way?
Why is it important that your work supervisor has a Christlike approach toward you when you’re struggling with addiction?
How can the people around you, especially work supervisors, help you in the recovery process?
Name three attributes that others displayed that helped you overcome addiction.

You could also ask additional questions to help you understand addiction and learn more from this person’s experiences.

Ponder and Plan

“What Lack I Yet?”

Seek to identify a personal or business gap or need.

Spend a few minutes silently pondering what you've discussed during this lesson. Listen as the Holy Ghost helps you identify areas where you can improve. Record your impressions in your learner's journal under the question “What Lack I Yet?”

“What Must I Do?”

Seek ways to close the gap or develop the required talent(s) to meet the need.

With the guidance of the Spirit, create your plan of how you will improve and close the gap(s) you have identified. You may use one or more of the exercises below, your own strategy, or a combination of both. Record this plan in your learner's journal under “What Must I Do?”

During the week, talk to a family member or a friend about addiction and how it affects the brain. Explain what you have learned in today’s meeting, and set aside time to expand your knowledge on addiction.
Consider those associates you think may struggle with substance abuse or addiction. Then prayerfully and appropriately seek to learn more about their backgrounds and identify possible causes and triggers. Write names and insights in your learner's journal.
Ponder and set a goal to develop a Christlike attribute that you feel will allow you to help associates struggling with substance abuse or addiction. Seek to apply this attribute in your interactions with them.

After a few minutes, those who are comfortable doing so can share their impressions with the group.

“Therefore, What?”

Seek understanding, and then share what you learned.

During the week, focus on implementing the plan you created. Record your impressions or lessons learned in your learner's journal under “Therefore, What?” You will be given time at the beginning of next week's lesson to share your experience with the group.