Addiction Psychology

Addiction Psychology is a proficiency in professional psychology that involves the application of psychological treatment of addiction stemming from the use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances (e.g., nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, heroin) or behavioral addictions (e.g., gambling) with the aim of cessation or reduction of use and/or the amelioration of emotional, behavioral, interpersonal and other problems arising from the addictive behavior.

• Understanding of the addictions as biopsychosocial in nature, reflecting the involvement of biological, psychological, and social factors, including culture, in the development of problems and the need to address this range of factors – e.g.,
  - Biological factors involve a basic understanding of the pharmacological and psychopharmacological effects and interactions among alcohol, nicotine, and other substances, as well as an understanding of the development of tolerance and withdrawal. Physical developmental characteristics related to age are also relevant.
  - Psychological aspects of addictive behaviors include learning and reinforcement theories, self-efficacy, and outcome expectancies, and coping skills, as well as other psychological disorders.
  - Social factors of importance in these disorders include cultural beliefs, practices, and biases, peer influence and norms, and marital/family influence and support.
• Training and experience in evidence-based prevention and treatment methods for addictions

• Screening, assessment, and diagnostic skills to identify these problems in relation to and distinct from other psychological or health behavior disorders – e.g.,
  - Use of specialized measures of problem identification, addiction or dependence severity, problems associated with and likely resulting from substance use and misuse, and behavioral patterns of addiction
  - Use of measures characterizing history of use, reasons for use, issues of motivation and beliefs around use, treatment history, and other facets of attitudes towards treatment and help-seeking
  - Collection of information, with a client’s informed consent, from key individuals in the social network, or collaterals
• Ability to utilize differential diagnosis procedures, or ability to differentiate between conditions that may look the same
• Treatment with individual people, couples and whole families, and sometimes treatments that include or bring together a relevant group or community
• Integration of biological approaches, such as the use of medications, with social and behavioral treatments