ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by describing various terms that are used in discussion of addictive disorders and how they relate to one another. The term "intrapsychic addiction" is proposed as describing the substrate of the externally manifested addictions. The chapter reviews the physical, psychological and social factors which predispose children to addiction. A model relating these various factors to one another is presented. Intrapsychic addiction can be defined as the compulsive, chronic use of a self defeating pattern of thinking and behaving (including the use of mood altering chemicals) secondary to the inability of the person to make consistently healthy decisions on his or her own behalf. The better programs recognize that learning to live, at best, only begins during the initial treatment period. Strong aftercare coupled with self-help support groups are vital to the maintenance of a chemically free and personally growthful lifestyle.
