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Addiction to ExperienceToday’s Agenda:

Lecture: Part A Addiction to ExperienceQuiz 1 (Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For

Ecstasy

+Let’s look at the quote…

Some to dance, some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and revels his addiction leads him.

- Shakespeare

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+Milkman and Sunderwirth

Milkman, H. (Professor / Psychology )

Sunderwirth, S. (Professor / Organic Chemistry)

Key theme – We are compelled by repetitious behaviors to become energized, to relax, to imagine.

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

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Craving for Ecstasy

Ancient Origins?

What we searching for?

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+Craving for Ecstasy

Addictive behaviors hi-jack the brain neurotransmission system(e.g., dopamine / meth)

Internal opiates (i.e., enkephalin; endorphins)

This is true for all behaviors

Seemingly innocent to the illicit

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+ The Addictive Personality

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+Who is Most at Risk

1. Early aggressive behaviors

2. Poor social skills

3. Lack of parental supervision

4. Substance abuse

5. Drug availability

6. Poverty

1. Self-control

2. Positive Relationships

3. Parental monitoring / support

4. Academic competence

5. Anti-drug use policies

6. Strong neighborhood attachment

(National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2008)

Risk Factors Protective Factors

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(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

More risk factors greater chance of entering into risky behaviors leads to compulsion

+Euphoric / Dysphoric Cycle

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+Drug and Activities of Choice

Genetics > behavioral style > stress

“Not Good Enough Self”

Surrender to something outside ourselves

This surrender often depends on our way of coping with stress

Certain personalities appear to gravitate toward certain addictive behaviors to shore up stress and ameliorate “not good enough self”

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+The Serendipitous Event

We find our drug of choice – reduce stress / inner turmoil

Incipient Addicts – experience compulsions and loss of control long before ingesting psychoactive substances

For instance, family problems, school truancy / violence / crime / interpersonal relations, par-suicidal behaviors

Three avenues of experience to ameliorate psychic pain

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+Antidotes for Psychic Pain

Satiation, arousal, and fantasy

These antidotes may have origins in first years of life

Childhood experiences and genetics foundation of adult compulsion

Our three antidotes correlate with drug of choice

1. Depressants2. Stimulants 3. Hallucinogens

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+Milkman and Sunderwirth (2009) hold that:

People don’t become addicted to drugs or mood altering activities as such, but rather to the satiation, arousal, or fantasy experiences that can be achieved through them.

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+Satiation Addict “Soother”

Binge on food

Television

Choice of drug – depressants (alcohol, benzodiazepines)

Striking similarity to child during first year of life (food and warmth

Pharmacologic defense against user’s own aggressive drives

Similar to opiates

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+Arousal Addict “Sensation Seekers”

Seek stimulation / risk takers / live on the edge

Gamblers

Cocaine and amphetamine users

Can be criminals

Seek to be active and potent in their environment (boastful)

Their vast expenditures of mental and physical energy are designed to deny underlying fear and helplessness

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+Fantasy Addict: “Dreamer / Mystic”

Favors repetitive activation of right-hemisphere thinking

Preoccupation with altered reality

Mystical insights / pursuit of merge with divine

LSD

Mushrooms

High potent marijuana

Try to overcome fears by creating fantasies in which they are effective and important

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+ The Brain, Antidotes, and Behavior

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

Th

e D

evia

nt C

are

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+Basic Neuro-Chemistry

Brain an electrical-chemical computer

Process of communication between neurons (neurotransmission)

Largely responsible for brain functions that determine what we are (i.e., personality, intellect, and character)

We are our neurotransmission

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+ Pre – Postsynaptic Neuron

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

Critical Point

+Lock and Key, Release, Block

Neurotransmitters released from presynaptic attach themselves to the receptors in the postsynaptic much like a lock and key

Some drugs will increase the activation of neurotransmitter release (amphetamine)

While others will block the reuptake of neurotransmitters (cocaine) expanding the available dopamine in the synapse.

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+Blum’s Reward Cascade

+ Drugs, Dopamine Levels, Nucleus Accumbens

+Activity, Dopamine Level, and Nucleus Accumbens

+Drugs and Dopamine Release

Amphetamine 900%

Cocaine 200%

Heroine 160%

Marijuana 130%

Nicotine 100%

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy

+Drugs to fight Drugs

Vigabatrin – Used to stop cocaine cravings

Campral – reduce cravings (alcohol)

Naltrexone (blocks intoxicating affects of alcohol)

Vivitrol (longer last than the Naltrexone – injectable)

(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy