Addiction Culture: Why Changing People, Places, and Things Might Be Harder Than We Think

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2:15 PM - 3:45 PM

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Frustration is a word often used when describing the supervision of a substance use caseload. This workshop addresses why meaningful change is often so elusive. The presentation covers the basic characteristics of addiction and how addiction affects brain function. Using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as a model, the presentation then focuses on the Culture of Addiction and how this “addiction culture” satisfies basic human needs, making it difficult for the offender to make lasting changes. Using information gleaned from over 3000 face-to-face hours with participants in a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program for heroin addiction, Mr. Koffel moves from the academic to the practical in the application of evidence-based treatment techniques. Finally, strategies are presented to improve offender/client chances of making effective change.