Transcript January 16, 2007

SOCI3055A
STUDIES IN ADDICTIONS
January 16, 2007
Understanding Addiction and
“the Addict”
Overview
 Readings:
(1) The Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and
Technology (2006). “Addiction Services” in Out of the Shadows at
Last. Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction
Services in Canada. Ottawa: Government of Canada. pp.205-226.
(2) Whiteacre, K. (2005). “Criminal Construction of Drug Users” in
Cocktails & Dreams. Perspectives on Drug and Alcohol Use. New
Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall. pp. 3-13.
(3) Collin, C. (2006). Substance Abuse Issues and Public Policy in
Canada. Canada’s Federal Drug Strategy. Ottawa: Library of
Parliament. pp. 1-18.
 Film:
Fix: The Story of an Addicted City
Class outline
1. Readings – summaries and concepts
2. What is addiction?
3. Understanding addiction
The drugs
a.
Drug categories
Detoxification
i.
ii.
b.
The behaviours
4. Understanding the addict
5. Film / discussion
1. Readings –
summaries and concepts
 60 second description of the article.
Identify a key concept in the article.
Support why this is an important concept
from the standpoint of 2 of the following:




the user,
society/culture,
service providers,
policy makers.
2. What is addiction?
Addiction
 A primary, chronic disease, characterised by impaired
control over the use of a psychoactive substance and/or
behaviour. Clinically, the manifestations occur along
biological, psychological, sociological and spiritual
dimensions. Common features are change in mood, relief
from negative emotions, provision of pleasure, preoccupation with the use of substance(s) or ritualistic
behaviour(s); and continued use of the substance(s) and/or
engagement in behaviour(s) despite adverse physical,
psychological and/or social consequences. Like other
chronic diseases, it can be progressive, relapsing and fatal."
Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine. (1999, October 14).
Definitions in addiction medicine. Retrieved August 10, 2006, from
http://www.csam.org/def.htm#991014
 "[...] an unhealthy relationship between a person
and a mood or mind-altering substance, experience,
event or activity, which contributes to life problems
and their recurrence.”
Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. (2000, June). A
biopsychosocial model of addiction (p. 1). Retrieved July
25, 2006, from http://www.afm.mb.ca/pdf/BPS-FINAL.pdf
3. Understanding addiction
 Bio-psycho-social approach to understanding
 Drugs and alcohol consist of ACTIVE
INGREDIENTS, BUFFERS, and FILLERS.
 The active ingredients in drugs and alcohol are
PSYCHOACTIVE.
 Your brain has NEUROTRANSMITTERS. Some
common ones: Dopamine, GABA, Serotonin,
Glutamate
a. The drugs
 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
 http://198.103.98.49/en/C-38.8/text.html
(i) Drug categories

Pharmacology = pharmakon (drugs) and logos
(study)
1. Hallucinogens
2. Central Nervous System Depressants

opioid analgesics, alcohol, inhalants, benzodiazepines,
barbiturates and other sleeping pills
3. Stimulants
amphertamines, methamphetamines, cocaine
4. Cannabis
5. Antidepressants
6. Steroids
(ii) Detoxification
 Neuro-adaptation: The adaptation of cells
and neural functioning following continued
exposure to drugs.
 (1) Safe withdraw of the drug/alcohol from
body; (2) humane process; (3) prepares
individual for next stage of treatment.
b. The behaviours
2. Understanding the ‘addict’
 Who is “the addict”?
 CAGE
C: Have you ever felt you ought to CUT DOWN on
your drinking?
A: Have you ever felt ANNOYED by someone
criticizing your drinking?
G: Have you ever felt bad or GUILTY about your
drinking?
E: Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning
(EYE-OPENER) to steady your nerves and get rid of a
hangover?
Film
 What was one thing about ‘addictions’ that
was confirmed for you?
 What was one thing you learned?
 What are the social implications of addiction
for Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside? For
Vancouver city generally?