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Drugs of AbuseCindy Schaider, Executive Director

Casa Grande Alliance317 E. Cottonwood Lane

520-836-5022

www.casagrandealliance.org

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Agenda:

Why people use drugs Impact of drug use on the brain Impact of drug use on the family Drug addiction and recovery Questions & comments welcome!

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Why do people take drugs?

To feel good To feel better (stress,

anxiety, depression) To do better (athletic

or cognitive performance)

Curiosity, peer pressure, thrill seeking

National Institutes of Health, US DHHS

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Addiction

Continued use despite negative consequences. The process:Try a substanceContinue to use the substanceDeny that a problem existsLose control – unable to reduce or abstain

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Addiction – why?

Family influences (childhood environment) Genetics Personality traits Social and environmental factors (peer

influences, emotional issues, high stress or conflict, etc.)

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What is drug addiction?

A chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.

It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the structure of the brain and how it works.

These brain changes can be long-lasting and lead to harmful behaviors.

National Institutes of Health, US DHHS

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Brain basics

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Brain basics: Limbic System

Basic instincts are held in the Limbic system: Sex Food Water Child rearing

Communication along the Brain Reward Pathway – exists to reward us for activities consistent with our survival

Also responsible for our perception of emotion

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Brain basics: Cortex

Cerebral Cortex:Processes sensory informationThinking center

Planning Problem solving Decision making Self control

Receives info from limbic system, but does not send info to limbic system

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Dopamine = transmitter

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Brain damage from drug use There are 8 types of Neurotransmitters in the

brain. Dopamine is responsible for pleasure

Without it = depression

Smooth muscle movement Without it = Parkinsonianism

We are born with a static amount of dopamine for our lifetime. Drug use depletes it… will there be insufficient amounts for later years?

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Brain effects The large release of dopamine produced by

methamphetamine is thought to contribute to the drug's toxic effects on nerve terminals in the brain.

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Dopamine response to stimuli

200 200350

1250

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Food Sex Alcohol Cocaine Meth

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Pleasure = neuroadaptation

By repeated creating a NEW source of pleasure (drugs) the brain adapts

New protein is laid down in the brain that literally changes brain chemistry

The user creates an additional BASIC SURVIVAL item in the limbic system – drug abuse

Results in a need, not a preferenceThis drives every choice the user makes

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Frontal cortex damage

The frontal cortex is a brain region that supports logical thinking, goal setting, planning, and self-control.

Numerous MRI studies have documented that addictive drugs cause volume and tissue composition changes in this region and that these changes are likely associated with abusers’ cognitive and decision making problems.

Closer to normal after 6 mos. abstinence

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MRI-Methamphetamine reduces gray matterThe yellow and red area in the central brain view indicates reduced gray matter density in the right middle frontal cortex (Kim et al., 2005).

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Continued use is not voluntary

A chemically induced need has a stronger hold on the brain reward pathway than even the 4 natural pre-programmed needs.

Change is at the molecular level

So… basic instincts have changed and are being overridden by the new drug desire

Frontal cortex damage also present.

HOWEVER: Users ARE responsible for their actions.

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Impact on families Users blame the family – the family blames

themselves Parents and siblings feel ashamed, frustrated,

afraid, alone, hopeless The user feels ashamed, afraid, alone and

hopeless and isolates from family Families are forced to self-protect: locks on

bedroom doors, hiding valuables, orders of protection from the user

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Impact on families

CPS has to remove children from parents, and grandparents or other family often raise those children.

Families are forced to self-protect: locks on bedroom doors, hiding valuables, orders of protection from the user

Familial crime victims often do not report to police, out of shame and a misguided desire to protect the user.

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Family response Denial:

“I shock myself with my ability to rationalize and tolerate things once unthinkable. The rationalizations escalate. He’s just experimenting. Going through a stage. It’s only marijuana. He gets high only on weekends. At least he’s not using hard drugs. At least it’s not heroin. He would never resort to needles. At least he’s alive.”

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Family response Guilt and self-blame

Did I spoil him; was I too strict? Did I give him too little attention; too much? If only we had not divorced; moved; if only….

Recovery for the family I didn’t cause it I can’t control it I can’t cure it

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Recovery from addiction

One-third of users will enter treatment one time, complete it, and never use again

One-third will attempt recovery multiple times during their life and eventually get sober

One-third will die in the midst of their addiction

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Treatment and recovery

Treatment is the initial process to reduce dependence upon the drug and introduce the user to cognitive restructuring

Recovery is a life-long process of learning to live drug free

Both are needed for successful sobriety Meth treatment process make take one year

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Casa Grande AlliancePartnering for a safe and drug free

community.520-836-5022

317 E. Cottonwood Lane, Suite ACasa Grande, AZ

www.casagrandealliance.org