CIU addresses addictions with Summer Lecture Series

Do you know someone struggling with an addiction? Feel at a loss as to how to help that person? Maybe that person is you. Addictions can range from alcohol to gaming or even an addiction to work. Columbia International University is here to help.

The CIU Summer Lecture Series on Addictions will be released each Tuesday for six weeks from May 16-June 20, focusing on the causes and symptoms of addictions, as well as the cure for addictions. Topics addressed will include the role of faith in overcoming addictions; the relationship between trauma and addictions; and behavioral addictions such as gambling, internet, pornography and more. 

The lectures are taught by CIU Clinical Counseling Professor Dr. Steve Johnson who serves as the president of the board at the Albert Ellis Institute for cognitive behavioral therapy/rational emotive behavior therapy in New York City. He has supervised mental health practitioners around the world, and is a licensed mental health professional. In addition, he has extensive experience treating individuals and training professionals in counseling severe trauma and substance use disorders along with co-occurring disorders, such as major depression.

Dr. Johnson discusses what you can expect from the lecture series in this Q&A.

Why is there a current need for this lecture series?

Many agencies in the United States have reported that the need for addictions counselors is now at a critical stage and the U.S. Labor Department has estimated that the need will continue to grow over the next two decades. Now, more than any other time in history, we have treatments that significantly help individuals who struggle with addictions, but the need for qualified counselors outweighs the number available. 

What specific addictions are more prevalent these days?

Among the drugs most commonly and widely abused are alcohol, marijuana, pain relievers, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. However, at equally high levels are serious behavioral addictions, including gaming, gambling, pornography, internet addiction, workaholism, and some have very serious health consequences, including addiction to exercise and suntanning. 

Who will most benefit from this series?

I think a number of groups can benefit, including those who wonder whether their behavior is an addiction requiring professional help, individuals who live with someone or have a friend who is struggling with an addiction, individuals who are trying to decide whether to become an addiction counselor, and those who may already be an addiction counselor but want to learn the latest in treatments. 

What kind of addictions may be going unnoticed and/or unaddressed within the church?

It is much easier for individuals with a behavioral addiction to go unnoticed than those addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. Even individuals who have a serious drug or alcohol addiction may go unnoticed because of the short amount of time they present in church or because some of their symptoms can present as being tired, depressed, anxious or grieving. Another important reason for an addiction to go unnoticed is because of a tendency to view addictions as merely a spiritual issue or a moral failure, which is an oversimplification of a serious multifaceted condition. 

What is the role of faith in overcoming addictions?

Faith can play a very important role in overcoming addictions. Current scientific research has demonstrated that an individual who is connected to transcendent values, such as compassion, truth, beauty, connection to God, etc. reduce the perception of threat in life, which is important because the perception of overwhelming threat in life drives addictions. Many people erroneously believe that the best treatment for addictions is sobriety, but in reality, it is deep connection with others in a community of shared values and an orientation to something larger than themselves. 

What do you hope viewers of the series come away with at its conclusion?

One, I want them to realize that addictions are quite serious physically, mentally, emotionally, behaviorally and spiritually. However, there are treatments that have been proven to be very helpful for individuals struggling with an addiction. Additionally, families and friends can help by learning as much as they can about the nature of addictions, aid in the individual's recovery, but they can also be an obstacle to recovery. Thus, education is vital. Finally, addiction is not merely an individual problem, but a problem of the community that will only grow if we do not take immediate steps to address it within all our institutions, including the family, the university, the workplace, and our faith communities. Above all — there is hope!

The six-week training session is scheduled for release at noon each Tuesday from May 16-June 20. Tickets are $20 per person. Registration for the CIU Summer Lecture Series on Addictions is at: ciu.edu/addiction.

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