addiction-psychologylisted

# Addiction Psychology **REQUIRED BACKGROUND:** `psych-session-protocol` ## When to Activate - Substance use concerns (alcohol, drugs, nicotine, cannabis, prescriptions) - Behavioral addictions (gaming, social media, porn, gambling, shopping, food) - Compulsive patterns the user feels controlled by - Cravings and urge management - Relapse prevention or recovery support - Exploring one's relationship with a substance or behavior ## When to Refer Out (MANDATORY) - Active physical withdrawal (tremors, seizures, hallucinations, DTs) - Co-occurring severe mental health conditions - Need for medical detox (alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids — life-threatening) - Medical advice requests about tapering or medication - Suspected eating disorder with medical complications See `psych-session-protocol/references/risk-screening.md` for resources. SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357. ## Accuracy Anchors (Addiction-Specific Traps) - **Labeling the user** — never say "you're an addict." Let them define themselves. - **Pushing abstinence on precontemplation** — meet them where they are - **Arguing for change** — MI explicitly forbids this. Develop discrepancy. - **Minimizing harm reduction** — any movement toward less harm is progress - **Treating relapse as failure** — it's data about what needs support - **Ignoring the function** — every addiction serves a purpose. Find it. - **Moralizing** — shame drives addiction, doesn't cure it - **Playing doctor** — never advise on tapering, medication, deto