What Makes an
Addiction?
Basic Building Blocks
of Positive Change
If its Negative in Your
Life then Make it
Positive
Managing the Mind
(Mental Health)er Category Name
Lost Lives through the
Decades
(Due to Drugs)
100

Physically addictive substances used daily can bring these uncomfortable physical symptoms

Withdrawal

100

The essential Inner drive, focus and desire, that brings about positive change and attainment of goals

 Motivation

100

We make dozens if not hundreds of these a day with our mind and one of the best ways to improve our lives is to practice making good ones

Decisions/Choices

100

We experience these in our mind, heart and gut and it is important to learn how to manage our reaction to them.

Feelings/Emotions

100

(2000’s) This artist was referred to as the King of Pop, died due to complications from prescription drugs in 2009

Michael Jackson

200

It takes more and more of a substance to get the same effect which often fuels the desire and need for using larger amounts

Tolerance

200

The ability to look inside yourself honestly and truthfully:

SelfAwareness or Insight

200

This describes overall the way we present and express ourselves. If we have a negative one we should want to change it to grateful and positive

Attitude

200

It is important to learn to manage this uncomfortable mental experience that can occur when we worry or stress over things

Anxiety

200

(1990’s) Singer of one of the most popular grunge bands in the 1990’s shot himself in the head in 1994 at the age of 27, addicted to heroin

Kurt Cobain

300

Failure to recognize the truth about a problem, particularly an addiction, is often referred to as this

Denial

300

Something just about everyone needs when overcoming a difficult challenge, because it is so difficult to do it alone

 Support

300

This categorizes and includes all that is most important in your life and, what you care about the most, and what has the most worth to you

Values

300

These changing temporary states of mind can be make us feel high, low and everything in between so it is important to be able to regulate these

Moods

300

(1980’s) John Belushi was a legendary actor and comedian who shocked the world when he overdosed and died from mixing cocaine and heroin in 1982 at the height of his fame. He was on the original lineup of what longstanding TV show (Still airs today)

 Saturday Night Live

400

Every bad choice we make can mean we have to face these later. Addiction can cause people to foolishly ignore these repeatedly

Consequences

400

Building insight and motivation lead to this powerful experience defined by a strong sense of positive mental stimulation to try make things better

Inspiration

400

You can have ups and downs along the way but what matters most is that you keep moving forward. If that is true then you are steadily making this

Progress

400

It is essential to learn to eliminate this negative emotion which stems from holding on to anger and grudges

Resentment

400

(1970’s)This iconic musician is one of the top earning dead celebrities today, still earning over 50 million/year for his music despite dying from complications of prescription drug addiction back in 1977

Elvis Presley

500

When you spend too much, use too much or too often and life problems are steadily piling up, it is a good sign you have lost this

Control

500

If you find and discover this it can help you define your goals and add meaning and direction in your life

 Purpose

500

This involves all the people, places and things that you surround yourself with and that you choose to be connected to.

Associations

500

Sometimes addiction can be directly linked to deeply disturbing or distressing experiences that occurred earlier in life all of which is referred to as: _____

Trauma/PTSD

500

(1960’s) This world famous movie star shocked the world in 1962 from a barbiturate overdose which some say was accidental, some say was suicide and others say was murder

Marilyn Monroe