Addiction…

Adapted from a class by John Fitzgerald, PhD, LPC, CAS

What Works?

relationships

What is addition?

“Drug addiction is a brain disease.”

Nora Volkow, MDDirector, National Institute on Drug Abuse

What do you think?

Is addiction a brain disease or isn’t it?

If top researchers can’t decide how are we supposed to come to a consensus?

What is Dopamine?

Think of it as a reward system for your brain…

Dopamine Provides Reinforcement

• How is dopamine related to addiction?

• Discussion…

Dopamine Index

• Cheeseburger

• Sex

• Nicotine

• Cocaine

• Meth

Source: UCLA Integrates Substance Abuse Programs

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

What do you think?

Do you have an unlimited supply of dopamine?

Lets talk about brain activity…

Ooh fun…

I’m not addicted to anything…

And I never will be…

Why should I care?

Addiction Treatment System

< 10 % get help

~ 60 % drop out

> 60 % relapse

Who is interested in all this?

Discussion…

What should I take away from all this information?

Addiction changes the way your brain works and how you connect with others

Developmental Skills

• Self-regulation• Engagement in

relationships• Two-way

communication• Problem solving• Idea creation• Making connections

between ideas

Thank you…

Any Questions?