Theory and previous research indicate that a person's broader set of life goals may have motivational properties for specific behavior change efforts. The present study examined the types of life goals and ratings of life goal attributes as predictors of marijuana treatment outcomes in a sample of marijuana dependent individuals. Results were generally not consistent with hypotheses. It was expected that ratings of conflict between life goals and marijuana use would be associated with less marijuana use and fewer related problems and dependence symptoms following treatment, but results indicated few associations between life goal ratings and treatment outcome variables. Similarly, types of goals expected to be associated with better treatment outcome were not significantly correlated with reductions in outcome variables at follow-up assessments. Some support was demonstrated for a causal model in which goal conflict with marijuana use influenced posttreatment symptoms of dependence via indirect associations with outcome expectancies and readiness to change. / Master of Science

The involvement of significant others in substance abuse treatment has been shown to be beneficial in the alcohol and cigarette literatures. However, these findings have not been extended to treatment for other substance abuse, particularly marijuana. This study examined whether partner involvement leads to improved outcomes for people seeking treatment for marijuana abuse. In addition, we examined what possible mechanisms can account for a partner's contribution to positive treatment outcomes. Hypotheses were only partially supported. Treatment conditions did not lead to differential changes in partner behaviors. However, there was some evidence that these partner behaviors do have impact on treatment outcomes. In particular, negative partner behaviors were associated with poorer outcomes. / Master of Science

This research seeks to unravel the definition of sexual addiction amongst adolescents from the perspectives of professional social workers, working with these types of issues. This has been conducted through a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with social workers in various youth clinics in Stockholm. The results gathered from the interviews are presented and then analyzed through discourse analysis using the social constructionism as our theoretical framework. The primary results gathered, conclude that sexual addiction amongst adolescents is to be defined within the personal contact between the client and the social worker in order to build an individual case discourse. The results also depicts that shame and anxiety are the driving forces for the phenomenon. Furthermore, inconsistency was discovered regarding the terminology of the phenomenon amongst the social workers. It is important to note that the adolescent years are time of rapid change and, thus, the behavior resembling sexual addiction may not be permanent. The results are then discussed and compared to previous research.

Notre travail offre une analyse critique des principales théories explicatives de l’addiction articulée autour d’une distinction entre les théories médicales de l’addiction et les explications qui relèvent d’une approche morale (notamment l’explication acratique). Les secondes s’opposant aux premières essentiellement par l’idée que l’individu conserve dans l’addiction sa liberté d’agir autrement. Ces deux types de théories partagent cependant un présupposé commun : une condition pathologique serait incompatible avec une conduite volontaire et intentionnelle. Or certains éléments mis en avant par l’approche clinique de l’addiction, comme le sentiment d’ambivalence, l’initiation ou le phénomène du rétablissement spontané, obligent à remettre en cause un tel présupposé et à tenter d’échapper aux explications unilatérales de ce que nous proposons de qualifier philosophiquement de phénomène d’impuissance de la volonté. Il est en effet selon nous possible d’appréhender l’addiction à la fois selon une certaine forme de perspective morale et selon une certaine forme de perspective pathologique. En premier lieu (cf. Partie 1) parce que l’opposition entre approche acratique et approche pathologique compulsive cérébrale ne repose que sur une certaine idée de la compulsion qui peut et doit être remise en cause. En second lieu (cf Partie 2) parce que le concept de maladie qui sous-tend également cette opposition est lui aussi critiquable et qu’il convient de penser l’addiction à la lumière d’une notion de pathologie plus souple, permettant d’intégrer certaines marques de l’agentivité et de l’action volontaire. En troisième lieu, enfin (cf. Partie 3), parce que ce que l’on a appelé « les maladies de la volonté » offrent un modèle heuristique qui permet de redéfinir d’une manière plus appropriée le phénomène général l’impuissance de la volonté, grâce tout à la fois à l’idée de division interne à la volonté-même et à l’octroi d’un rôle central à l’obsession. Nous proposons donc à partir de notre enquête critique de repenser l’addiction comme une conduite obéissant à quelque chose que nous voulons et ne voulons pas de façon simultanée, au sens où nous avons des raisons simultanées de la poursuivre et de ne pas la poursuivre. Et de considérer que sa dimension pathologique vient de ce qu’une force interne s’y trouve bien introduite, mais dont la nature diffère de celle que désigne la notion dominante de compulsion. Car l’irrésistibilité à laquelle elle renvoie ne réside pas dans les actes, mais dans les pensées des agents. / This dissertation presents a critical analysis of the main explanatory theories on addiction structured around the distinction between the medical theories of addiction and explanations pertaining to a moral approach (namely, the acratic explanation). The latter set against the former primarily due to the idea that when addicted the individual retains the freedom to act differently. However, these two kinds of theories share a common assumption: a pathological condition would be incompatible with voluntary and intentional behavior. Yet, some components highlighted by a clinical approach – such as ambivalence, initiation or the “maturing-out” phenomenon – compel us to reconsider this assumption and to try and escape from unilateral explanations of what I propose to philosophically call “a phenomenon of powerlessness of the will”. Indeed, this dissertation argues that addiction can be understood both trough moral and pathological perspectives. Firstly (cf. part 1) because the opposition between the acratic approach and the pathological compulsive cerebral approach only rests upon a specific definition of compulsion, which can and must be called into question. Secondly (cf. part 2) because the concept of disease which is inherent to this opposition is open to criticism and addiction could be reconsidered in light of a more flexible disease theory, allowing for the integration of certain signs of agency and voluntary action. And finally, in a third part (cf. part 3), because the previously defined concept of the “diseases of the will” presents a heuristic model through which to redefine the general phenomenon of powerlessness of will. This is due both to the idea of internal division of the will and to the main part granted to obsession. Through a critical analysis, this dissertation thus strives to rethink addiction as a behavior subjected simultaneously to what we want and what we don’t want, insofar as we have simultaneous reasons to act and not act on this will. To conclude, the pathological dimension of addiction comes from the introduction of an internal force, whose nature is, however, not referred to in the classical concept of compulsion. The irresistibility to which it pertains does not lie in people’s behaviors but in their thoughts.

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Background World Drug Report estimates the number of opioid users at 53 million and identifies opioids as responsible for two thirds of the 585,000 people who died as a result of drug use in 2017. Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the testimonies of 30 people regarding their journeys from drug addiction to drug withdrawal in Taiwan. Methods This was a qualitative research design. The sample inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) being a drug abuser, (b) completed the Christian Gospel Drug Withdrawal Program or church-sponsored program, and (c) shared their related testimony on the Good TV television channel in Taiwan. The participants' stories were posted in Chinese, transcribed by the author, and translated from Chinese into English. Content analysis was used to identify the major themes. Results Of the 30 participants, 24 were male (80%) and six were female (20%). The major themes identified in their testimonies were: (a) Using illegal drugs related to peer recognition, lack of knowledge, and temptations; (b) drug addiction was an endless pain cycle; (c) turning points related to love, repentance, and hope; (d) drug withdrawal was related to avoiding temptation and overcoming the drug withdrawal syndrome through the Holy Spirit; and (e) outcomes were faith and new life. Conclusions/Implications for Practice In this study, people who received the gospel drug withdrawal programs expressed that their lives had changed, they had withdrawn from drugs successfully, they had become volunteers to help others, and interactions with their family had improved. These programs may be applied in the mental health nursing profession.

This study qualitatively investigated the processes and outcomes associated with the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ (LDS) Addiction Recovery Program (ARP), with a specific focus on their Pornography Addiction Support Group (PASG) meetings. Researchers interviewed 24 (21 males, 3 females) individuals with varying experiences in PASG meetings. Their interview content was broken down into themes. Primary findings suggest that PASG participants experience a significant amount of shame due to their pornography use behaviors. Member-to-member sharing in meetings facilitates self-compassion and lessens shame. Participants reported strong spiritual process in PASG meetings and some spiritual outcomes. Attendance in PASG meetings impacts the way participants viewed their treatment conceptualization, problematic pornography use (PPU) behaviors, self, and God. Further, negative aspects of PASG meetings include the use of an addiction model, a focus on PPU behaviors, and some shaming experiences.

Title: It’s easy to quit - I’ve done it hundreds of times: A literary study of the correlation between free will and substance abuse The purpose of this bachelor's thesis was to examine, through an integrative literary study, how selected previous research on the two theories, The Brain Disease Model of Addiction and The Choice Model of Addiction, describe the significance of free will in the development of and recovery from substance use disorder. The findings indicate that free will is significant in all stages of substance abuse. The study suggests that the discourse surrounding voluntariness and addiction ought to become more nuanced. The study notes that clients are easily influenced by treatment providers and thus conversations concerning disease versus free will should be approached cautiously by the treatment provider. The study suggests that social workers could benefit from critically examining their own stance regarding free will and addiction, including moral responsibility. Future research should continue developing screening methods to measure motivation levels in clients and to find the best treatment for each individual. / Syftet med denna kandidatuppsats var att genom en integrativ litteraturstudie undersöka hur utvald tidigare forskning om de två teorierna The Brain Disease Model of Addiction och The Choice Model of Addiction beskriver betydelsen av fri vilja när det gäller utvecklingen av och tillfrisknandet från ett substansberoende. Huvudresultatet visar att fri vilja är av betydelse i alla stadier av ett substansberoende. Studien tyder på att diskursen kring frivillighet och beroende torde blir mer nyanserad och att beroendeforskningen torde se beroende på ett spektrum. Studien konstaterar också att klienter är lättinfluerade av behandlare och därför bör samtal om sjukdom kontra fri vilja hanteras försiktigt av behandlaren i klientmöten. Socialarbetare som arbetar med beroende bör kritiskt granska sin egen ståndpunkt gällande beroendets frivillighet, inklusive moraliskt ansvar. Förslagsvis bör framtida forskning fortsätta att utveckla screeningmetoder för att bättre kartlägga motivationsnivån hos klienter och för att hitta den bästa behandlingsplanen för varje individ.

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The work points to the possible causes of drug addiction, and how from drug addiction can be cured. What are the centers for drug addicts and what offering.Practical part is formed by using case studies with individuals who are addicted to marijuana and methamphetamine.