Addictions

ELIMINATE YOUR ADDICTION
TO DRUGS, ALCOHOL, GAMBLING
and OTHER SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS.

 

ADDICTION THERAPY AT LEWIS SMITH PH.D., P.C.:

 

DR. LEWIS W. SMITH, PH.D. is a licensed psychologist who provides clinical hypnosis, hypnotherapy, cognitive reality-based psychotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Emotional Freedom Techniques, Therapeutic Emotional Kinesiology®, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing®, and the individualized Hazeldon Twelve Step Facilitator Program to assist people in breaking free of addictions.

 

Dr. Smith considers addiction to be a former solution that has now become a problem. It is an undesirable, self-destructive, way of coping with life. Initially, the drug, substance, person and/or activity was a way to feel better and cope with life. It often had very little downside. Over time, the self-defeating habit to relieve stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, cognitive, conative, personality, and behavioral issues became an addiction. It was seen as a way to cope with the demands and pressures of everyday life. Eventually, the addiction becomes increasing more compulsive and self-defeating and is accompanied by extremely negative results.

 

An addiction has three components: (1) an intense craving for a drug, substance, person (and/or activity); (2) a loss of control and/or unmanageability of one's life to satisfy that craving; and (3) an out of control use, abuse, and dependency on that drug, substance, person, and or activity despite the ever-increasing negative consequences.

 

AMERICA'S TOP TEN ADDICTIONS

 

Addictions are obsessions. One's thoughts, feelings, words, and actions become immersed in them. They may be triggered by depression, trauma, anxiety, compulsions and/or chemical/ biological conditions of the brain. 

 

THE TOP 10 IN ORDER ARE NOW:                                                  

  1. Media: No statistics for the staggering number of people exhibiting almost complete dependence on text messaging/emailing, internet, MP3s, television, gaming , and other gadgetry. It is a nearly collective reliance that affects even those who don't directly indulge. University of Maryland challenged 200 subjects to avoid all of it for a day. The majority failed.
  2. Tobacco/Nicotine/Vaping(i.e. Juul): 71 million or 24% of Americans 12 or over with cigarettes/e-cigarettes(Vaping) being the dominant delivery device. Half of the addicts smoke more than the equivalent of 16 cigarettes per day. Like alcohol, the components are easily accessible to adults and children.
  3. Alcohol: 20 million or 8% of those over 12 use it as self-medication rather than getting help. It permeates nearly every demographic. A stunning 31% of college students fit the criteria for regular alcohol abuse.
  4. Marijuana: 15 million or 6.1% of those over 12. Curiously, 57% of addicts use it exclusively despite its reputation as a "gateway" drug. With the legalization of Medical Marijuana and Recreational Marijuana, the number of traffic stops/tickets/fines, accidents, and arrests will greatly increase.  
  5. Food: 2.8% of Americans or up to 9 million. It isn't only anorexics, bulimics or the chronically obese. Fast foods and sugar-based stimulant drinks increase the desire, craving, and compulsivity and result in increased caloric intake, obesity, and diabetes.
  6. Gambling: Affects between 2-3%or as many as 9 million of those 18 and over. It creates an adrenalin rush and, for those who become addicted, it stimulates greed and an excessive desire for possessions and wealth. It typically results in loss of money, relationships, and self-esteem. Depression, hopelessness, poverty, and even suicide may occur with those who are addicted. 
  7. Prescription Drugs: 2% or 6.2 million of those 12 or older admit to non-medical use and addiction to prescribed medications. Vicodin, OxyContin, Adderall, and Ritalin are all prime examples of prescribed medications that are abused.
  8. Bulimia: 1% will suffer in their lifetime. It isn't just about food or looks. Endorphins released by vomiting make them feel better and people become addicted to the process and often suffer from Anxiety, Depression, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
  9. Cocaine: 1.9 million or .7% of those over 18. Crack and powder cocaine are lumped together. Street cocaine is often mixed with Heroin and Opiates.
  10. Hallucinogens: 1.1 million or .4% of those over 18. LSD and Ecstasy are most common. Psilocybin (Mushrooms) and Peyote are other hallucinogens.

                                          

Information provided by New Oakland News has been adapted for use on this site.

Call DR. LEWIS SMITH, PH.D., a licensed psychologist, at 248 644-2955 to schedule an appointment to assist you in eliminating your addiction. The office is located at 1655 West Big Beaver Road ( east of Somerset Mall ) in Troy, Michigan 48084. lwsphd@aol.com

Addictions