NEUROBIOLOGY OF ADDICTION

1. NEUROBIOLOGY OF ADDICTION YOUR ADDICTION AINT GOT NO SMARTS

2. I. DEFINITION OF ADDICTION A PATHOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A MOOD ALTERING EXPERIENCE WHICH RESULTS IN LIFE-DAMAGING CONSEQUENCES. A. PATHOLOGICAL - SICK RELATIONSHIP B. MOOD ALTERING EXPERIENCES 1. SUBSTANCES a. Illegal drugs (cocaine, marijuana, hallucinogens, heroin, methamphetamine) b. Alcohol c. Prescription sedative hypnotic drugs d. Tobacco

3. 2. PROCESSES a. eating (anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating, exercise) b. sex (including pornography) c. gambling d. anger e. work d. video (including games, internet, television) e. spending

4. LIFE DAMAGING CONSEQUENCES • 1. LEGAL PROBLEMS • a. DWI/DUI • b. Possession • c. Manufacturing and Delivery • d. Crimes committed under the • influence or to gain money to buy drugs.

5. 2. FAMILY AND MARTIAL PROBLEMS a. Physical, sexual abuse b. Neglect or failure to protect child from abuse c. Divorce and child custody/support issues d. Domestic violence

6. HEALTH PROBLEMS • a. brain, liver, kidney problems • b. dental problems – “meth mouth” • c. sexual problems • 1.) hypersexuality resulting in STD’s, • unplanned pregnancy, rape • 2.) prostitution to obtain drugs • 3.) loss of libido

7. 4. VOCATIONAL AND FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. a. Inability to pass drug tests b. Missed days and poor performance at work c. Money spent on addiction rather than bills d. Eviction, foreclosure or bankruptcy

8. II. AREAS OF BRAIN AFFECTED BY ADDICTION A. CEREBRAL CORTEX--sheet of neural tissue that is outermost to the cerebrum of the mammalian brain. It plays a key role in memory, attention, perceptual awareness, thought, language, and consciousness.

9. LIMBIC SYSTEM • A set of structurally and functionally related structures of the brain which mediate behaviorally 'primitive' functions inherited from lower mammals, particularly emotion and motivational behavior.

10. 1. Associated with various emotions and feelings, such as anger, fear, sexual arousal, pleasure and sadness. 2. Unless the limbic system is modulated by other cortical areas, periodic attacks of uncontrollable rage may occur in some individuals. 3. Amygdala - fight or flight--can react irrationally and destructively. In the adolescent brain, this area is not fully developed and children can jump to conclusions about what people are doing or thinking and will take action on it.

11. C. CORPUS CALLOSUM A bundle of nerves which connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain. 1. Left brain is associated with language and right brain lacks interpretive capacities of the left brain and lacks problem solving abilities. 2. Right brain has perceptual skills and the two hemispheres work together to provide a system which is capable of accurately recalling details while still allowing for elaboration and inferences about the world.

12. HOW SUBSTANCE ABUSE AFFECTS THE • FUNCTIONING OF THE BRAIN.

13. A. COGNITIVE FUNCTION--drugs and alcohol kill brain cells, interrupting transmission of information between remaining cells. As the brain shrinks from chronic use, brain damage becomes irreversible. 1. Wernicke's encephalopathy is caused by thiamine deficiency often seen in alcoholics. 2. Korsakoff's syndrome results from damage to areas of the brain involved with memory 3. Marijuana use causes memory loss and has been shown to produce symptoms of schizophrenia in chronic users 4. Amphetamine and cocaine users may experience symptoms of schizophrenia associated with the release of large amounts of dopamine in the brain.

14. B. LIMBIC SYSTEM 1. Increased levels of dopamine may cause symptoms of schizophrenia, often referred to as "tweaking", "schitzing" and being paranoid. a. Marijuana and alcohol increase dopamine levels by up to 150% b. Cocaine increase dopamine levels by 2,000% c. Methamphetamine increases dopamine levels by 5,000-15,000% 2. "Crashing" is caused by dopamine depletion and results in extreme lethargy, inability to care about hygiene, nutrition, and other ADL's. 3. Increased levels of adrenaline caused by meth create irritability, hypersexuality, aggressiveness and mania resulting in much activity with little or no productive results.

15. 4. Damage to amygdala especially in adolescents prevents ability to sort out and block triggers. 5. Damage to corpus collosum by trauma (drug use) affects transition of information between left and right hemispheres of the brain. a. Right brain lead happens when a person has an emotional reaction to what should be a logical problem.

16. TRIGGERS--An event which causes • increase in level of dopamine from the limbic system resulting in a "rush" or feelings of arousal associated with the drug, such as commercials, music, or other activities or feelings associated with the drug.

17. A. Obsession--allowing oneself to fantasize about the effect of the drug, thereby increasing level of dopamine. B. BUD Syndrome--Building up to drink or drug which includes justifying drug use by minimization or rationalization, increasing levels of dopamine. C. Compulsion--By this time, the brain is so intoxicated with dopamine that all logical reason for abstaining from the drug is overcome by the compulsion to use. D. Acting Out--use followed by release of dopamine and completion of dopamine release. E. Crashing--dopamine depletion accompanied by regret and remorse over having lost control. .

18. V. STRATEGIES FOR INTERVENTION. A. HALT--never let yourself get too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. B. Support group--increase coping skills C. Cognitive behavioral tools 1. Interject choice into obsession-compulsion-use cycle 2. Relaxation tools 3. Develop critical thinking skills D. Spiritual Tools - prayer, meditation, confession, study.

19. REFERENCES: Medicine Plus Medical Encyclopedia Answers.com Wikipedia Human Relations Media "Rushing, Crashing, & Dying"