Transcript Addiction
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic relapsing condition
characterized by compulsive drug seeking and
abuse, in spite of negative health, social and
behavioral consequences
Addiction is a brain disease
Sustained drug abuse leads to changes in both the
structure and function of the brain
Neurons Talking
Dopamine
Drug use activates the brain’s pleasure pathway
Drug use causes dopamine levels to spike high
Brain remembers this and looks forward to doing
it again
After spike dopamine levels go below baseline
Brain thinks it needs drug for survival
Person needs drug to feel normal
Dopamine Activity PET Scan
The end result: Cravings
Our brains are wired to pursue natural
rewards (food, love, sex)
Drug use begins to activate these same
circuits
This activation causes our brain to crave
the drug
These cravings become even stronger
than those for food and love.
The Pre-frontal Cortex
Located in the front of the brain
Allows us to weigh risks and consequences
Referred to as “The Seat of Sober Thought”
Pre-Frontal Cortex still developing in teenagers
“What are the implications of this information?”
How Addiction is Diagnosed
For a person to be diagnosed as an addict at
least 3 of the following symptoms must be
present:
1.
Symptoms of tolerance
Symptoms of withdrawal
Use of substance in large amounts or for longer then intended
The desire or attempt to reduce or control use
Spending considerable time or effort to obtain the substance
A reduction in social, recreational or occupational activities because of
drug use
Continued use despite of health, social or economic problems
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Who Becomes Addicted ?
Anyone can become addicted to drugs or alcohol
No single factor determines if a person will become
an addict
Nature and nurture influence a person’s risk for
addiction
Certain personality types and mental health
problems may make a person more susceptible to
addiction
Risk Factors for Addiction
Having parents or immediate family members who
are/were addicted to drugs or alcohol
Being depressed or anxious
Other mental disorders
Experiencing trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse
Stressful life events
Conflict at home
Exposure to drugs, or being pressured to use them
Using drugs or alcohol before the age of 15
Principles of Effective Treatment
Not one size fits all
Needs to meet the needs of the individual
Must be long enough
Counseling and behavior therapy are critical components
Change people, places things ~What happens if they do
not do this?
Effective Treatment continued
Co-occurring disorders should be treated
Medications may be used
Detoxification does little to change long term
use
Recovery can be a long term process
Be prepared for relapses
Routes of Administration
Oral Administrationtaken in through the mouth
Injection-drug delivered
Inhalation-substance is
Absorption-drug is
with a hypodermic needle
smoked or huffed
absorbed through the skin
Discussion Questions
How does the route of
administration affect the
addictive properties of the
substance ?
Can the route of
administration affect the
risks of using the drug?
Classification of Psychoactive Drugs
Stimulants- Cocaine, Methamphetamine,
Hallucinogens- LSD, PCP
Marijuana
Depressants- Alcohol, Barbiturates, Inhalants,
Opioids- Heroin, Morphine
Psycho-therapeutics- Prozac, Haldol, Xanax
Nicotine
Marijuana
The most widely used illegal drug in the US
Dry shredded mix of flowers, stems and
leaves from the cannabis plant
Smoked as a cigarette or in a pipe most
often.
Active chemical in marijuana is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Effects of Marijuana
Short Term
Distorted perception
Difficulty thinking and
problem solving
Loss of coordination
Increased heart rate
Long Term
Respiratory problems
Negatively affect cells
that produce
dopamine
Fertility problems
Emotional problems
Connected to further
drug use
Addictive properties
Cocaine
Classified as a stimulant
Several routes of administration
Extremely addictive
Interferes with the re-absorption of
dopamine
Often produces wild and erratic behavior
The Cocaine High
Effects of Cocaine
Short Term Effects
Mental alertness
Increased energy
Increased heart
rate/blood pressure
Increased
temperature
Long Term Effects
Number of
dopamine
receptors reduced
Cardiovascular,
respiratory and
neurological
complications
Paranoid psychosis
Cocaine Abuse…Putting Your Life In
Your Own Hands
Any
use of crack or cocaine can
lead to death~ even the first time
Alcohol
and cocaine can combine
in a person’s liver to produce
coca-ethylene
MDMA
Also known as ecstasy
Taken in pill form
Classified as a stimulant
Also acts as a psychedelic
Affects neurons that use serotonin to
communicate
MDMA Health Risks
Interferes with temperature regulation
Similar physical risks as other stimulants
Long lasting psychological effects
Possible neurotoxicity
Unknown drug purity
Interferes with cognitive ability
Alcohol
Classified as a depressant
Has complicated effects on the nervous system
The most commonly used and abused
psychoactive drug
17,602 people killed in alcohol related crashes in
2006
Effects of Alcohol
Short Term
Impairs judgment and
coordination
Linked to a variety of
aggressive acts
Blackouts
Hangovers
Long Term
Brain Damage
Liver Disorders
Heart Disease
Cancer
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
Prescription Drug Abuse
Over 20% of
Americans report
misusing prescription
drugs
In 2005 598,542 ER
visits due to misuse
Misuse of prescription
drugs is illegal
Classes of Commonly
Abused Rx Drugs
Opioids
Central Nervous System
Depressants
Stimulants
Dangers of Prescription Drug Abuse
Opioids can slow or stop breathing
Stimulant use associated with high body
temperature, irregular heart rate and
seizure
CNS Depressants can cause seizures, slow
heart rate and respiratory arrest
Do prescription drug abusers always know
what they are taking?
Methamphetamine
10 million people 12 years and older
abused Meth in 2005
Meth is extremely addictive
Causes the brain to release excessive
amounts of dopamine.
Crash after high often leads to increased
use
Effects of Methamphetamine
Short Term
Violent Behavior
Anxiety
Confusion
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Delusions
Long Term
Damage to nerves
that produce
serotonin and
dopamine
Cardiovascular system
damage
Difficulty feeling
natural pleasure