1. What Is Addiction?

What Will You Learn?

• 1. Understanding Addiction: Gain insight into the nature of addiction, it's complexities, and its impact on individuals and society.
• 2. Baseline Assessment: Before delving into the topic, participants are prompted to reflect on their thoughts and feelings about addiction, fostering self-awareness.
• 3. Our Stories: Through a video and journal excerpt, we share our journeys through addiction, grappling with questions about its nature our own struggles with substance abuse.
• 4. Understanding Addiction through Metaphor: Gabor Maté's concept of "The Hungry Ghost" sheds light on the relentless pursuit of satisfaction in addiction.
• 5. Personal Escapes: Participants consider their own coping mechanisms and explore the line between healthy coping and addiction.
• 6. Recognizing Addiction's Complexity: Addiction is portrayed as a medical and psychological phenomenon rather than a moral issue.
• 7. Recognizing Common Behaviors: Participants identify common behaviors associated with addiction, fostering awareness and empathy.
• 8. Self-Reflection on Behaviors: Participants reflect on their own behaviors and explore ways they could have been supported during challenging times.