Transcript drugs of addiction - Addiction Recovery Resources

DRUGS OF ADDICTION
Ken Roy, MD
Addiction Recovery Resources of New Orleans
Tulane Department of Psychiatry
River Oaks Hospital
504-780-2766
www.arrno.org
Why are Drugs Addicting?
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Cause pleasure
In our pleasure and reward system
The Unfortunate Truth
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After tonight you will know more than your
doctor knows about drugs of addiction
This is your disease, and your responsibility
to get and stay well
Everyone will need medical care in
recovery
You cannot trust that your doctor knows
what to do to keep you in recovery
Why This is an “Easy Study”
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We have very few “natural” neurotransmitters that make us feel good
All of the plant derived and synthetically
compounded chemical that fit on the same
receptor as a “natural” chemical form a
CLASS of addicting drugs
How Easy It Is
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Only three major Classes
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Sedative Hypnotics
Stimulants
Opiates
And a “wastebasket” Class
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Hallucinogens
Classes
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All drugs in a Class are:
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Cross addicting
Cross tolerant
Cross relapsing
Drugs in a Class result in similar:
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Intoxication
Detoxification
Overdose
Sedative Hypnotics
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Alcohol
Benzodiazepines
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Good old Barbs + Fiorinal, Esgic, etc.
Other sleepers
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Valium, Ativan, Xanax, Rohypnol, Restoril
Barbiturates
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GABA
Quaalude, Doriden, Placidyl, Ambien
Miscellaneous
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GHB, Soma
Stimulants
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Cocaine + Crack Cocaine
Amphetamines
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Noradrenalin
Good old speed + Crystal = Crank + Ice
MDA, MDMA, Adderall
Ritalin, Cylert
Decongestants
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OTC Diet Pills
Opiates
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Injectable
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Morphine, Heroin, Demerol, Dilaudid, Stadol,
Nubain, Buprenorphine
Oral medications
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Endorphins
#2-4, Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab, Norco,
Percodan, OxyContin, Ultram, Darvon
Methadone
Hallucinogens
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LSD, Psilocybin, Mescaline
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Indirectly affect Dopamine through Serotonin
Marijuana
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Various
Has it’s own neurotransmitter
PCP, Ketamine
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General anesthetics in high doses
Drugs of Abuse
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Medications
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Inhalants
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Benadryl, Elavil, Seroquel, Prednisone
Glue, paint, whiteout, toluene, gasoline, N2O
Caffeine
Cross Addiction Between Classes
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Occasionally occurs, based on availability
or change in preference
Most often use results in relapse to original
drug of choice
Connects through the Locus Ceruleus
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A small area in the brain that produces all of the
brain adrenalin, or Norepinephrine
Take Home Messages
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Use of any addicting drug during or before
recovery produces addict thinking
Most addicting drugs are prescribed
medications
There is a chance of switching addictions to
another class
There is a greater danger of relapse to the
original drug of choice.
If You Have to Use
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Have a plan to become abstinent again
Have a safety net
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Someone who will pull you back, no matter
what
Build your spiritual “Bank Account”
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By frequent meeting attendance – for the
foreseeable future