SOCI3055A STUDIES IN ADDICTIONS

1. SOCI3055ASTUDIES IN ADDICTIONS January 16, 2007 Understanding Addiction and “the Addict”

2. 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

3. Class outline • Readings – summaries and concepts • What is addiction? • Understanding addiction • The drugs • Drug categories • Detoxification • The behaviours • Understanding the addict • Film / discussion

4. 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.

5. 2. What is addiction?

6. 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, pre-occupation 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

7. "[...] 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

8. 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

9. a. The drugs • Controlled Drugs and Substances Act • http://198.103.98.49/en/C-38.8/text.html

10. (i) Drug categories • Pharmacology = pharmakon (drugs) and logos (study) • Hallucinogens • Central Nervous System Depressants • opioid analgesics, alcohol, inhalants, benzodiazepines, barbiturates and other sleeping pills

11. 3. Stimulants amphertamines, methamphetamines, cocaine 4. Cannabis 5. Antidepressants 6. Steroids

12. (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.

13. b. The behaviours

14. 2. Understanding the ‘addict’ • Who is “the addict”? • CAGEC: 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?

15. 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?