It is vital to understand "the theoretical foundation of" substance use and is "important when devel...

1. Aspects of Initiation, Continuation, Addiction, Recovery, and
Relapse
It is vital to understand "the theoretical foundation of" substance use and is "important when
developing a treatment plan for individuals and their families" (Stevens and Smith, 2009). The usage
of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) is growing and needs to be dealt with properly. Without
the appropriate method used to assist a substance abusing individual, they will not be able to break
this unfortunate habit. Based on my past experiences and observations I have created my own
etiological theory to explain substance abuse. In order to help an individual who is abusing drugs the
aspects of initiation, continuation, addiction, recovery, and relapse need to be understood.
Initiation
The initiation explains why an individual chooses to abuse drugs; this is the first unfortunate aspect
in the process of addiction. I believe that this is typically based on their current state of mind and
behavior of the individual that is about to use. An individual's behavior is the effects of the
environment and past experiences that they have had from that specific environment. This
environment will either influence their behavior to be good or influence their behavior to be bad; it
can affect their future and the possibility of establishing an addiction.
One of the components of the behavior theory that I support is that the environment that a child is
raised in greatly effects their behavior later on in life. A child who was raised in a home with ATOD
usage is more likely to follow in their family's footsteps with their own usage. However, it should be
noted that cultural ethnic groups have different statistics, in that some are less likely to use in the
future if they are from that environment. Also, genetics plays a role in which it creates a unique
personality of the individual exposed to an unstable environment. Some may be genetically incline to
want to be different than their parents; while others may be genetically like their parents and want
to use just like them.
The disease theory follows the concept of alcoholism as a disease and needs to be considered in my
own theory. I personally believe that it closely aligns with both the environment and genetics. If an
individual genetically caries this disease, then different environments that an individual is exposed
to can trigger this disease. An example would be a teenager who had no issues at his or her previous
home in another town. Later in his or her childhood, he or she is moved to a new town in which they
encounter a new group of friends. This teenager now has an entirely new environment and is
exposed to different situations. These new friends that he or she has encountered may peer pressure
him/her into abusing alcohol. This alcoholism disease that he or she genetically inherited is now
going to be exposed in full force and will cause him or her to have an addiction to alcohol; that
individual will become dependent on it. If this teenager was never exposed to this specific

2. environment, he or she may have never known that they had the alcoholism disease; therefore, the
environment greatly influenced their behavior in which can lead to an addiction. This new
environment, along with the new group of social friends, was the teenager's initiation.
Continuation and Addiction
Continuation is the aspect that explains why an individual continues their ATOD Best Drug Detox
Centers in Michigan cost abuse. Using the behavioral theory's component of reinforcement is one of
the best components of this theory that explains an individual's continuation. From my own
experience and use of reinforcement, it can be influential in reinforcing positive and/or negative
behavior. This concept works with an addiction and explains why an individual continues to feed
their addiction. When a person is first exposed to a drug and/or alcoholic drink they typically feel
better about themselves and feel more outgoing. This is a positive feeling that they want to
experience again and again. Every time their drug or alcoholic drink wears off, then that individual
is more likely to use it again to create that positive feeling. The continued use of ATOD makes the
individual become addicted quickly. An addiction happens once the individual has become
dependent on the drug and can't function properly without it.
Recovery and Relapse
The recovery aspect happens when an individual has mastered their addictions. Most of these
individuals will still face cravings for their addiction; however, they have learned how to cope with it.
I believe that the matrix model can be used to assist those who have addictions. It is "a behavioral
treatment approach that combines behavioral therapy, family education, individual counseling, 12-
step support, drug testing, and encouragement for nondrug-related activities" (National Institute of
Drug Abuse, 2010). One of the best examples of becoming a recovered ATOD user and maintaining
that status is going to programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotic Anonymous. These
programs can help an individual recover and is one of many ways to prevent them from relapsing.
Relapsing is another aspect and happens when an individual begins abusing ATOD after they have
recovered. One of the main reasons as to why someone relapses is because it is difficult to maintain
that life-altering change. Making new friends and moving is sometimes a part of this change. Finding
new friends can be depressing and challenging, but if it is not done, then the former user risks
relapsing with their old friends. Also, everywhere that person goes they can experience a trigger
memory in which will invoke the craving of a specific drug. This can be when they are driving past a
boat and remember an amazing memory of using a drug on a boat with friends. Another example
could be that they run into a former drug using friend; in which once again would invoke that drug
using memory. Some that I have talked with have told me that their craving memories can be
triggered by a simple thing such as a sign or a commercial.
Being abstinent from ATOD can be very difficult and is something that most can't do on their own.
There are a lot of different theories out there to assist and explain why people abuse drugs.
However, I have my own theory that I have based on my past experiences and observations. I feel as
if they all need to be integrated together to explain and assist someone with an addiction. If we were
to combine a variety of previously established theories, then we would be creating the perfect theory
for addictions.
References
National Institute of Drug Abuse. (2010). Drug Facts: Methamphetamine. The Science of Drug Abuse
and Addiction, Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine

3. Stevens, P., & Smith, R. (2009). Substance abuse counseling: Theory and practice. (5th ed., p. 4).
Boston: Pearson.