drug addiction. addiction: what is it? addiction is ones dependence or need to use certain...
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Addiction: What is it? Addiction is ones
dependence or need to use certain substances in order to maintain a feeling of satisfaction or well-being.
Could lead to feelings of withdrawal if the user was not able to satisfy his “craving” or “need”.
A person has no control over whether they use drugs – they have grown used to the drug and have to have it
There is physical dependence upon the substance in order to function
Why is Addiction Prevalent? Drugs make up for whatever the addict is
lacking.StressPeer pressureLonelinessFamily behaviorNeed to feel goodNeed to not feel bad
"…the use of drugs has been recorded since the beginning of civilization. Humans in my view will always want to experiment with things to make them feel good.” --Dr. Nora Volkow
Addiction as a Brain DiseaseDifferent substances
affect our brain in different ways
Substance abuse creates the same type of “feel good” scenario when used – releasing dopamine and giving us a “high”
Our brain learns very quickly that it likes the “high” even though it’s not good
Addiction as a Brain Disease Cont…
The “high” doesn’t last forever as the release of dopamine dissipates.
This leaves the abuser with heightened withdrawals leading to physical pain, depression, and dangerous behavior
How We Become Addicted: “Salience”
Salience: “Special Relevance” The way our minds are programmed to pay
close attention to possible “threats” which we instinctively try to get away from
Drugs and drug abuse capitalize on this part of our brain programming.
“When exposed to drugs, our memory systems, reward circuits, decision-making skills and conditioning kick in – salience in overdrive – to create an all consuming pattern of uncontrollable craving.” --Michael Lemonick
Addiction: A New UnderstandingDr. Nora Volkow and other researchers have found
new information regarding Drug Addiction:Dopamine is the brains chemical associated with
motivation, pleasure and learning. Addictive drugs flood the brain with Dopamine -
researchers thought that the neurochemical was a simple switch for pleasure hitting the "reward" button.
However, If dopamine delivers a “reward” message, addicts should be in a constant state of pleasure however, researchers observed that many of them get very little pleasure from the drug
"I've seen hundreds of addicted people, and never have I come across one who wanted to be addicted," Dr. Nora Volkow.
Dr. Volkow and other researchers are developing a new understanding of addiction: “Rather than just telling us to feel good, dopamine tells us
what's salient--the unexpected bits of new information we need to pay attention to in order to survive, like alerts about sex, food and pleasure, as well as danger and pain. If you are hungry and you get a whiff of a bacon cheeseburger, Volkow's research team has shown, your dopamine skyrockets. But the chemical will also surge if a lion leaps into your cubicle. Dopamine's role is to shout: ‘Hey! Pay attention to this!’ Only as an afterthought might it whisper ‘Wow, this feels great.’ So maybe addicts aren't just chasing a good time. Perhaps their brains have somehow mistakenly learned that drugs are the most important thing to pay attention to, as crucial to survival as food or sex.
Why Some are Addicted and Others Not
Vulnerability to addiction affects each person differently.Family history of addictionAbuse / Neglect / Traumatic childhood
experiencesMental Disorders - depression or anxietyEarly drug useMethod of drug use – smoking or injecting
may increase the addict’s potential to be addicted
Acute Effects of Addiction Heroin: Starts out with a rush of
pleasure, leaving the user in a fog for many hours afterwards. Users are soon dependent on the drug and to have it become their sole purpose in life.
Cocaine: Can lead to feelings of paranoia and anxiety. The physical effect of cocaine on the brain reduces the ability to feel pleasure.
Alcohol: It impairs judgment and leads to memory lapses. It can also lead to blackouts. Alcohol distorts vision, shortens coordination, and can damage the brain and every other organ in the body.
Ritalin: Causes severe headaches, anxiety, paranoia, and delusions.
Marijuana: The parts of the brain that control emotions, memory, and judgment are affected by marijuana. Smoking it can not only weaken short-term memory, but can block information from making it into long term memory. It has also been shown to weaken problem solving ability.
Methamphetamine: User’s find the need to use meth for extended periods of time known as a “run”. Once they stop, they “crash” and feel terrible while they sleep off the drug’s negative side effects.
Ecstasy: Causes difficulty differentiating reality and fantasy. Causes problems concentrating and impairs memory. It can cause paranoia, anxiety, and confusion.
Chronic Effects of AddictionOverall Health: neglecting their own health Finances and Stability: have trouble
keeping any employment at all or even become homeless
Relationship Issues: will eventually damage family, friends and the community
Disease: lung disease, heart problems, brain damage and possible death from an overdose
Denial: the addict’s urge to use is so strong - they can rationalize any behavior no matter how illegal, immoral or unethical
Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction
Tolerance: You need to use more of the drug in order to get the same effect
Withdrawal: Take drugs in order to avoid or relieve drug problems
Loss of Control: You want to stop but the urge to quit is powerless
Life Revolves Around Drugs: Time is spent thinking about drugs, how to obtain drugs and recover from the effects of drugs
Continual Use of Drugs despite Effects: Infections, mood swings, blackouts, etc.
Warning Signs of Addiction Physical
Blood Shot Eyes – pupils larger or smaller than usual
Deterioration of physical appearance
Unusual odors from body, breath and clothing
Appetite changes, sudden weight loss/gain
Impaired speech, slurring, coordination is impaired
Behavioral Decline in performance at school
or work Unexplained need for money /
stealing or theft Secretive or suspicious behavior Sudden change in hobbies,
friends, hangouts Rise in trouble: fights, accidents,
illegal activities
Psychological Immediate
changes in personality and/or attitude
Irritability Mood swings Spurts of heighted
agitation, hyperactivity, giddiness
Lack of motivation
Do’s and Don’tsDo Don’t Speak Up
Talk about concerns Offer help and support Don’t be judgmental
Take Care of Yourself Have people around for
support Stay safe Don’t neglect your needs
Avoid Self Blame Encourage treatment options Can’t force change You can’t control your loved
one’s decisions Let the person accept
responsibility for their actions
Punish, threaten or preach
Make excuses or cover up their mistakes
Take over the responsibility
Take drugs with the addict
Blame yourself for their behavior
Myths about AddictionOvercoming addiction is a matter
of willpower
Addiction is a disease and not curable
Addicts must hit an all-time low before being able to recover
Forcible treatment will never work
Treatments didn’t work the first time so they won’t work the second time
Myth #1
Myth #3
Myth #2
Myth #4
Myth #5
Help is available for those seeking it – Treatment depends on the severity of the case and what drugs/substances
have been used/abused
Treatment OptionsTreatment facilities
Inpatient / outpatient programs
Support groupsFamilyCounseling
MedicationNot a cure but a
stabilizer Psychotherapy
Local Treatment FacilitiesSLCC Health and
Wellness CenterRedwood Campus Student
Center 957-4646South City Campus 957-
4659
University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Inst Recovery(801) 587-3235 (801) 581-6228
Narcotics anonymous 1-800-622-HELP
Tips for RecoveryMake friends and family aware of
your decision to stop using drugsAsk family/friends to be available
when you need themOnly attend events you know will
be drug or alcohol freeMake a plan – what will you do if
you find yourself in a place with drugs / alcohol?
Remind yourself that you are not a bad person because you have an addiction
Interesting StatisticsOver six million children in America live with at least
one parent who has a drug addiction.Since 1980, the number of deaths related to drug
overdoses has risen over 540 percent.Each year, drug abuse and drug addiction cost
employers over 122 billion dollar in lost productivity time and another 15 billion dollars in health insurance costs.
A significant percentage of young people report having been introduced to one type of drug or another on a regular basis by the age of 13. Nearly fifty percent of those children will try drugs by that age, and 20 percent will become addicted before graduating from high school.
Recommended Reading Material
“Chasing the High” by Kyle Keegan and Howard B. Moss M.D.
Help Guide: www.helpguide.org
Health Magazine: www.time.com
“The Basketball Diaries” by Jim Carroll
“Junkie/Junky” by William S. Burroughs