Transcript What is Addiction?

What is Addiction?
• Addiction is a chronic relapsing condition
characterized by ____________ drug seeking and
abuse, ________________________________
______________________
• Addiction is a brain ________
• Sustained drug abuse leads to changes in both the
structure and function of the brain
Neurons Talking
The end result: Cravings
• Our brains are wired to pursue natural
rewards (food, love, sex)
• Drug use begins to ________ these same
circuits
• This activation causes our brain to ________
__________
• These cravings become even stronger than
those for food and love.
The Pre-frontal Cortex
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•
•
•
Located in the _______________
Allows us to weigh __________________
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Symptoms of tolerance
_____________________
Use of substance in large amounts or for __________________
The desire or attempt to reduce or control use
________________________________________________
A reduction in social, recreational or occupational activities because of
drug use
Continued use despite of ____________________________
7.
Risk Factors for Addiction
• Having parents or immediate family members who are/were
addicted to drugs or alcohol
• ___________________________
• Other mental disorders
• Experiencing trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse
• Stressful life events
• _________________
• Exposure to drugs, or being pressured to use them
• ______________________________________
Myths About Addiction
• Addicts are bad, crazy or
stupid
• __________________
__________
• Addicts need to be
punished for using drugs,
not treated.
• ___________________
____________________
________________
• Addiction cannot be treated
with medication
• ___________________
_________
• Since addicts can stop
using drugs by attending
meetings, addiction cannot
be a brain disease
Routes of Administration
• Oral Administration
• Injection
• Inhalation
• Absorption
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?