Tatiana Barbaran: "It is false that marijuana is not harmful because it is natural".

We interviewed psychologist Tatiana Barbaran, an expert in addiction treatment.

Drug addiction is more than a medical complication: this kind of dependence to addictive substances has a psychological dimension that should not be overlooked when dealing with it.

That is why, we interviewed psychologist Tatiana Barbaran, who has been working for years in the care of people with drug addiction problems. from the therapeutic strategies that work.

Interview with Tatiana Barbaran: drug dependence in adolescents and adults

Tatiana Barbaran is a psychologist specialized in the care of adults and adolescents, and director of the psychology center "Psico aliados", located in Trujillo. In this interview he talks to us about the psychological problems associated with drug dependence.

What myths and erroneous beliefs about drugs and addictions do you think are most widespread in today's society?

One of them, and the one most often heard, is associated with alcohol. As this is a legal drug in most countries, and easily accessible, it is beginning to be normalized. We hear phrases such as: "having a few drinks with friends is not bad", "alcohol will not hurt me like marijuana or cocaine"... however, some studies have shown that the abuse of this substance can lead to addiction, because when consuming it hormones known as endorphins are released, which produce a feeling of wellbeing in our body.

Likewise, some believe that it is easy to stop ingesting some type of chemical substance. "It is a matter of will and firmness in our decision". This is not always the right thing to do, especially when these people have made a habit of taking a substance, i.e. they abuse it, and professional treatment is needed to counteract the symptomatology. In some cases, multidisciplinary work between psychiatrist and psychologist is even necessary.

Another of the myths that have been frequently heard nowadays has to do with marijuana or THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). Due to its natural origin, it is believed that its effects are not very harmful to the consumer's health. However, its commercialization has increased, therefore, work is done on the plant, manipulating its growth, and its natural components are altered. It is false that marijuana is not harmful because it is natural.

Finally, one of the myths that has also been created over time refers to the resource implemented to "forget the moment", explained as follows: "If I use this or that substance, it is only to forget the bad time I had". In other words, the drug is seen as a resource for dealing with everyday problems. Although these chemical substances inhibit some of our cognitive processes and stimulate happiness hormones, their effects are for short periods of time, and will leave emotional or physical havoc that leads again to the search for the substance.

Is age an important factor in understanding addictions and how they affect people?

Psychoactive substances do not really discriminate by age, social, economic or religious condition, although the age at which consumption begins in the lives of many people who become dependent on a substance is very significant.

Many of these cases began at an early age, such as puberty or adolescence, and continued over time. Clearly, this is an important factor, since the trigger for this has its origin in the family and the resources it provides to face problematic situations; based on this, important points such as emotional support can be deduced, since the family is the main nucleus for the improvement of the consumer.

It is understood then that the support and involvement of the family during treatment is essential to achieve good results. In the case of adolescents, there is a greater probability of progress in treatment when parents are interested in the problem; however, there are adults who do not always have the support of family members or loved ones, and are seen as people who "decided to take that path". The result is treatment abandonment or relapse.

What types of drugs do you think young people are most exposed to?

He explained that the drugs that are easiest to reach are those that are legal in our country and that can be obtained in nearby stores, such as alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and what was very common a few years ago: the use of terokal. In one of the latest studies conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), Peru ranks third in America among the countries with the highest alcohol trade; the consumption of the substance has been normalized, so that the use of this substance is implanted in our lives as a recreational, celebratory or leisure activity.

In addition, today there are micro-marketers that distribute THC, cocaine OR PBC (cocaine base paste), in smaller quantities and at lower prices, which is easily accessible to young people who start experimenting with consumption, and even to adults.

What psychotherapy strategies and techniques do you find most useful when working with patients with addictions?

The approach that has obtained the best results so far is the cognitive-behavioral one, due to the validity that could be proved at a practical level; many of the techniques that are approached from this approach are related to psychoeducating the patient, recognizing those behaviors that interrupt the treatment or contribute negatively to it, extracting resources to be used in the development, such as the creation of new strategies that contribute to avoid or face situations that are threatening or risky.

All this is always worked with a support figure, either a family member or a friend with a suitable profile that allows the development of the patient in a more beneficial environment for his or her health. And they are worked throughout the scheduled sessions.

And what kind of support should be given to the families of addicted persons so that they contribute to the good progress of the therapy?

As I have mentioned, the participation of family members or people from the client's close environment is crucial to carry out the treatment. We work not only with the person in question, but also the family provides counseling and some therapy sessions, because they are emotional support.

The family members are in charge of providing support in the face of all the problems in order to help their family member, and consequently, in some cases codependent behaviors have been observed. That is to say that in all the activities they perform, they show excessive concern for what may be happening to the patient. This affects their development in different areas, whether at work, with their friends, partner or again with other family members.

Group therapies are also created with the consumer's family members, because in this context the family member gets to know a story similar to his own from another point of view; the group offers information based on the experience, and acceptance and empathy is felt, because all participants go through a very similar problem. It also helps to unload all those emotions you have about what happened.

In what ways do you think psychotherapeutic care for people with addictions has improved in recent years?

According to the different changes and research that have been presented in recent years, it has been seen that, as a result of the consumption of some toxic substance, a series of psychological or psychopathological problems develop in the human being. That is why we professionals are constantly training and informing ourselves of new studies.

Likewise, new approach measures are taken into account in order to provide the necessary support both for people suffering from addictions and their families, since all the needs of the consumer must be covered, which will also vary according to the situation. That is to say that, although the approach that has provided the best results so far is the cognitive-behavioral one, the techniques provided or the approach to be taken should be better adapted to the individual in order to meet all the required needs.