Personal Feedback as Pre-Therapy Intervention for Addictive Behavior
February 11th, 2011
An individual who exhibit signs of addictive behavior—such as increased internet gambling or alcohol consumption—may get to a point where finding an addictions counselor is necessary to regain control of their life. But researchers at the University of Missouri have found a tool that may help people from getting to that point. The simple process of taking a behavioral survey and receiving personalized feedback in a clinical setting can influence a person’s behavior before the habit becomes truly addictive, researchers say. For example, a college student may believe that drinking more than twenty drinks per week is normal for students that age. Receiving personalized feedback of “No, in fact you drink well more than most of your peers” can be eye-opening and is an opportunity to change before full on addiction develops and addiction counseling becomes necessary.
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Comments
Well all of that is definitely good to hear. To know that you can hopefully stop addiction in its tracks before it becomes a full blown problem would be the best way to handle the situation if you could indeed catch it at the exact right time.
This is great to know no doubt. But the problem is that most people especially youngsters headed towards addiction often fail to ask themselves questions like these.
But I think friends and peers can play a role and remind the person about his very question.
OK so my question is this. I have worked on college campuses and have administered these kinds of questionnaires. And they are always done anonymously. So how are you ever going to know who you need to target for intervention? Kids are hesitant to take these kinds of things in the first place. Don’t you think that the idea that they are going to get “caught” at something would make them even more wary?
if parent knew kid would not be such problem here
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