ADDICTION

ADDICTIONS

I have had a very busy diverse week with my client base at my private practice. By ‘diverse’ what I mean is that the different types of addictions I identify and treat go beyond the stereotypical substance abuser. Before I share my week with you, let’s look at definitions for ‘addiction’: In an internet article I read by Dr. Charles Roper titled ‘Definitions & Characteristics of Addiction’ he starts out with: ‘How many legitimate definitions of addiction are there? There are hundreds—literally hundreds. Which one is the best? Actually, there are several good ones. Read on:

Morse & Flavin’s (1992) definition of addiction represents the one traditionally utilized by treatment centers and substance abuse counselors. It is very good and touches all of the bases. Published in ‘The Journal of the American Medical Association’ (Vol. 68, No. 8), Morse & Flavin defined addiction thusly (paraphrased for simplicity): Addiction is a primary, progressive, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by impaired control over use of the substance, preoccupation with the substance, use of the substance despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking. The DSM IV (1994) relies on symptoms for its definition. The DSM says that addiction, or dependence, is present in an individual who demonstrates any combination of three or more of the following symptoms (paraphrased for simplicity), occurring at any time in the same 12-month period.’ You can read more about these symptoms at Dr. Roper’s article site http://www.alcoholanddrugabuse.com/article.html. Of course, whenever I am searching for a viable definition that everyone can relate to, I go to the Wikkie site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction: ‘Addiction, is a state in which the body relies on a substance for normal functioning. When this substance is removed, it can cause withdrawal……Addiction was a term used to describe a devotion, attachment, dedication, inclination, etc. Nowadays, however, the term addiction is used to describe a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences to the individual’s health, mental state, or social life.’

The Wikkie definition is the bases for this blog entry. Yes, half my clients that I saw this week are addicted to substances traditionally attached to the word addiction: alcohol, prescription drugs, and illegal drugs. The other half were made up of sex addiction, internet addiction, gambling addiction, old behavior addiction, caring addiction, working out addiction, and old emotional dependency addiction. While I was writing this, a workman at my home told me he was addicted to getting tattoos (he didn’t ask for an appointment). I am the first one to admit that I am a workaholic (with little willingness to change at this time). What all these addictions have in common is the damage it does to the person’s life emotionally, physically, spiritually, and, socially. What is your addiction? What is your willingness to change on a scale of 0-10 with ‘0’ being don’t want to and ‘10’ screaming out for help no matter what.

Read more about my private practice and my approaches to addiction @

http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com

Lifestyle Changes Counseling counselors are proud members of ONLINE WELLNESS ASSOCIATION @

http://www.onlinewellnessassociation.com

NUDIST LIFESTYLE

MAx Fabry is a regular contributor to a weekly column "ASK MAx" published in the SPRINGFIELD TIMES, Springfield, Oregon. The SPRINGFIELD TIMES is published weekly on Friday by S.J. Olson Publishing, Inc. This column is published on this blog by permission of the SPRINGFIELD TIMES. Visit their website at http://www.springfieldtimes.net.
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Dear MAx,

I am so upset! My mother told me that she spent the weekend at a nudist community! She not only told me, but she has also told other people we both know, and who knows who else she told. My mother is 65 years old! She is a retired teacher! What is she thinking?!

Crystal

Dear Crystal,

I cannot know what other people are thinking, but I can look at why people would want to go to a clothes optional community.

First, let’s make a distinction between a nudist and an exhibitionist. An exhibitionist is someone who would want to deliberately attract attention by taking off clothes. A nudist, or naturist, goes without clothing as a social practice; they “embrace the freedom to be without clothes”.

Public condemnation of nudity is probably rooted in the biblical story of Adam and Eve loosing their innocence by eating the forbidden apple. When the pair realized that their bodies were naked they felt, perhaps the first negative emotion, shame. They covered up and, thus, the start of the ever profitable global clothing industry was begun.

The practice of organized nudism started appearing in the US and Canada around the 1920’s, long after Europe and other parts of the world had begun recognizing it as a norm to frequent “nudist colonies” . The American Association for Nude Recreation (ANAR) was started in 1931 as a trusted source of information for nudists and about nudists. Nudists “colonies” are now known as nude resorts, or nude parks; “nude communities” is used to describe all the people that embrace the nudist lifestyle. These resorts and parks have become extremely popular.

A 2003 article in the Wall Street Journal reported that nude tourism was starting to take off in the US. They pointed to Central Florida’s Pasco County as the best place in the country to be nude. Pasco County boasted being home of six nudist resorts and estimated over 100,000 nudists visiting each year adding a significant amount to tourist revenue.

As I was researching this topic, I was having challenges understanding the statistics, so I called on Pat Brown, Past President of ANAR, and a resident of the Willamatans, the largest nudist resort in the Pacific Northwest. She confirmed that ANAR has approximately 50,000 PAID members, but there are several hundreds of thousands non-members served by the 500 clubs and businesses catering to nudists. There are various reasons people choose not to be official members of ANAR. But, within the paid membership, two-thirds of the members are couples, one-third individuals.

Pat also confirmed that there is a trend to the growth of the nudist lifestyle which is being fueled by—you got it!—aging babyboomers. She said that ANAR, as well as individual clubs are seeing younger members who are bringing their children and grandchildren on nakations. Because of the shear number of babyboomers, they will continue to influence trends around the world—including nudist recreation. Nudist housing developments, retirement communities, restaurants, and even Yoga centers are popping up across the US and Canada. Perhaps fueled by the continued buying power, remarkable health, and freedom-thinking of the boomers.

So, Crystal, it may be that your mother is part of the current babyboomer mentality that believe that the possibilities for life are endless. And, perhaps, those possibilities aren’t so much about embarrassing her daughter, but feeling free and young again. I would suggest having a discussion, in your awareness, with your mother about what she needs in this stage of her life, and, how you can support her.

Be well on your journey.

Have a question about addiction, recovery, or life transitions such as retirement, career change, grief and loss issues, empty nesting, etc, ‘Ask MAx’. Send your questions to Lifestyle Changes, PO Box 1962, Eugene, OR 97440; or, e-mail your questions to maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com. Learn more about MAx Fabry and read her blog at www.lifestylechangescounseling.com.