Adolescent and Young Adult Addiction: The Pathological Relationship to Intoxication and the Interpersonal Neurobiology Underpinnings

This thought provoking book Adolescent & Young Adult Addiction, The Pathological Relationship to Intoxication and The Interpersonal Neurobiology Underpinnings discusses the struggles of that the youth of today are faced with and puts forth that adolescent and young adult addicts are not addicted to marijuana, alcohol, ecstasy, oxycontin, heroin, etc. In fact, the name of the drug is an illusion as they are hooked on a pathological relationship to intoxication. This book bridges the gap between the mental health and the addiction fields. In addition, this book helps the reader to understand that there is no separation between relationships, mind and brain (bio-psycho-social). The peak of intoxication is a release of neurotransmitters, such as, dopamine and often opiate/endorphins. These regulatory systems are actually built, sustained, broken and also repaired in attuned and mis-attuned relationships. How is this so? How does it get repaired? How do we bring this awareness to the client, family and offer the experience of attuned relationships? How do pressures of our left brain, solution focused, material chasing, on-the-go culture contribute to this problem? Adolescents and young adults are not supposed to ask for help as it is the role of the social systems to work together in a way that helps them recognize their drug use as a problem. After these systems have helped to lift the bottom and dislodge the addict s relationship to intoxication, then the work is on understanding and treating the underpinnings that drive addiction. If the underpinnings are not dealt with, then relapse and cross-addictions will occur. Utilizing attuned relationships to rewrite the internal working model, and sustain neurobiological regulatory systems is the key for long term sobriety... Jon Daily, LSCW, CADCII is an expert in the specialized field of adolescent and young adult addictive disorders and dual diagnosis. Jon s wisdom on understanding and treating today s youth combined with his ability to conceptualize and translate interpersonal neurobiology in a straight forward applicable fashion is a real gift to the reader. At the end of this read, clinicians who have been in the field treating this issue will find that gaps in their approach to understanding and treating youth with addictive disorders have been filled. Likewise, family members and addicts themselves will have a better look into the gears that drive this illness and the variables that contribute to wellness.