X Table of Contents Introduction 1.1 Gospel Centered Training 1.2 Maintaining a Clear Focus 1.3 Weekly Development Plan Discussion 1.4 Quarterly Development Plan Discussion 1.5 Master Your Role 1.6 The Cadence of Accountability 1.7 Utilizing the Blessings of the Lord's Storehouse 2.1 Accountability and Talent Improvement (ATI) 2.2 Using the Leadership Pattern as a Learning Tool 2.3 Lead Like the Savior 3.1 Disability Awareness 3.2 Substance Abuse: Causes of Addiction 3.3 Substance Abuse: Signs and Symptoms 3.4 Substance Abuse: Recovery 3.5 Managing Stress 3.6 The Hidden Rules of Two Economic Classes 4.1 Inspiring Others to Become Converted in the Doctrine of Work and Service 4.2 Using AWARE Form as a Tool for Development 4.3 Attendance and Punctuality 4.4 Accepting the Work Role 4.5 Preparing for and Responding to Change 4.6 Managing My Work and Work Needs 4.7 Accepting Supervision 4.8 Coaching Associates on How to Work with Their Coworkers 4.9 Increasing Productivity 4.10 How to Use the Life Skills Library 4.11 History, Foundations, and the Spirit of Motivational Interviewing 4.12 The Stages of Change in Motivational Interviewing 4.13 Reflective Listening 4.14 Open-Ended Questions, Affirmations and Summaries 4.15 Change Talk 4.16 Ambivalence and Rolling with Resistance 4.17 The ABCs of Behavior 4.18 Using Positive Reinforcement to Achieve Behavioral Change 4.19 Introduction to Behavior Modification 4.20 Behavior Modification: Correcting Poor Behavior 4.21 Behavior Modification: Prompting Good Behavior 4.22 How to Use Positive Attitude to Facilitate Change 4.23 Conflict Management 4.24 Decision-Making Skills 4.25 Problem-Solving Skills 4.26 Improving Performance 5.1 Incorporating Assessment Results in the Development Plan 5.2 Ethics 5.3 Maintaining Confidentiality 5.4 Writing Effective Case Notes 5.5 Business Partnerships 6.1 Honoring Agency While Influencing Behavior 6.2 Teaching Self-Reliance
Lesson 3.2

Substance Abuse: Causes of Addiction

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 personal anecdotes about how others have addressed their addictions and reached recovery, the Church does not endorse any specific approach to overcoming addiction. These stories are included to inspire you and provide suggestions for how to help your associates who are struggling with addictions. Remember that there is not only one solution to addiction recovery. As you work with associates who are struggling with addiction, 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.

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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 handout. Then watch the video and follow the instructions in the worksheet to complete this activity.

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Activity 2

Complete the true or false Possible Causes of Addiction questionnaire. If a statement is wrong, write why it is wrong and the correct answer. Once everyone has finished the questionnaire, discuss your answers with the rest of the class members. You could also discuss the following as a group:

  • Did any of the statements surprise you? Explain.
  • How can addiction be considered a disease? Explain.
  • How does addiction differ from a disease? Explain.
  • Now that you understand how addiction strongly affects the brain, why is it important for you to be patient while working with associates with addictions?
  • On the other hand, remember that the brain is flexible and capable of creating new signals and patterns. How does this understanding help you develop and maintain hope as you work with an addict?
  • How can you encourage your associates to feel hope as well?
  • What questions do you have about addiction?
  • What information would you like to know about addiction?
  • What is addiction and what have you learned in this activity?

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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 for engaging in addictive behavior?
  • How did your addiction progress?
  • Did you notice when your addiction was worsening?
  • Were you able 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.

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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. 1 Genetic or Biological
  2. 2 Environmental
  3. 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?

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Activity 2

Complete the true or false questionnaire found in the “Lesson Resources” section, resource 3. Write your answers in your learner’s journal. Then 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 group of people might be more 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?

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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 for 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.

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Activity 1

Choose to watch two videos about substance abuse and addiction 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 in addiction?
  • 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 that 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.

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Activity 2

Throughout the scriptures, the Lord compares His people to sheep and Himself to the Good Shepherd. These 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?

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” (in 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?

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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 questions:

  • 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?
  • If you were to name three attributes that others displayed to helped you overcome addiction, what would you name? Explain.

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

Your Learning Journey

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 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 journal under “What Must I Do?”

  1. 1 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.
  2. 2 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 them in your journal.
  3. 3 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 journal under “Therefore, What?” You will be given time at the beginning of next week's lesson to share your experience with the group.

“Our personal experience is limited. It is often easy to look at another’s situation and believe that we see it accurately when, in fact, we do not. It is easy then to come to believe that you can ‘work out another’s salvation’ for them because you know what is wrong with their life. However, we do not always know another’s private challenges, sorrows, and disappointments. Even more important, we do not know God’s unique plan for that person’s life and may risk prescribing the wrong solutions. When we judge uncharitably and attempt to prescribe solutions for other people’s lives, we run the risk of speaking counter to the Lord’s will for that person.

“. . . God is the one who must fit the prescription for each of us. Only He has the knowledge and wisdom to know our unique needs.”

Marleen Williams, “A Gospel of Relationships” (Brigham Young University devotional address, May 4, 2004), 2, speeches.byu.edu

Lesson Resources

Resource 1

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View Answer Key

Resource 2

Reference: National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

Understanding Addiction

Mark each statement as TRUE or FALSE.

_____ 1. Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use.

_____ 2. While undergoing treatment, it is not uncommon for a person to relapse, which indicates that treatment should be reinstated or adjusted or that an alternative treatment is needed to help the individual regain control and recover.

_____ 3. Drugs are chemicals that tap into the brain’s communication system and disrupt the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information by imitating the brain’s natural chemical messengers and/or by overstimulating the “reward circuit” of the brain.

_____ 4. Nearly all drugs, directly or indirectly, target the brain's reward system by flooding the circuit with dopamine, a neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that control movement, emotion, motivation, and feelings of pleasure.

_____ 5. Risk for addiction is influenced by a combination of factors that include individual biology, social environment, and age or stage of development.

_____ 6. There are a number of different drugs that can ease pain and one of the most frequent reasons people go to the doctor is for pain relief.

_____ 7. When people use narcotics only to control pain, they are unlikely to become addicted to the drugs.

_____ 8. Opioids provide an intoxicating high when injected or taken orally in high doses and are also powerful anxiety relievers. For these reasons, narcotic abuse is one of the most common forms of drug abuse in the U.S.

_____ 9. Drug abuse and addiction has destructive public health and safety implications, such as family disintegration, loss of employment, failure in school, domestic violence, and child abuse.

_____ 10. Drug addiction is a preventable disease.

_____ 11. Other than family and community, the media is also an effective tool in reducing drug abuse.

_____ 12. Education and outreach are key in helping youth and the general public understand the risks of drugs and drug dependence.

Resource 3

Plausible Causes of Addiction

Mark each statement as TRUE or FALSE.

_____ 1. Some people start experimenting with substance abuse in their childhood.

_____ 2. Peer pressure in a child can lead him or her to become an addict.

_____ 3. Many people use drugs to escape from reality.

_____ 4. Some people start using drugs because they feel bored or alone.

_____ 5. People who aim to be physically fit or perform well in particular sports are not at risk for substance abuse or addiction.

_____ 6. The places people frequent can play a major role in substance abuse and addiction.

_____ 7. Teens whose parents struggle with addiction are at risk of falling into similar behaviors, including addiction.

_____ 8. Prescribed medicine to treat a medical condition can lead to substance abuse, even addiction.

_____ 9. With addiction, what was once a pleasurable activity becomes less and less pleasurable.

_____ 10. It is easy to identify when someone has switched from substance abuse to substance addiction.

_____ 11. Stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem can be triggers for people to do substance abuse.

_____ 12. Poor social skills can be a contributing factor to substance abuse and addiction.

Additional Study Material

The following materials can help you learn more about addiction.

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