UNDERSTANDING ADDICTION

by

Michael Saenz

Introduction The issue involving addiction and recovery is establishing if

addiction is a disease or not. Many would argue that it can not be a disease due to it being a choice of behaviors. Through many discussions and research you will find simply through the disease model that addiction is a disease. Through understanding this as a disease you will start to understand that it is a disease in the brain. Recovery and prevention are two other topics that fall into the topic of addiction and through studies you will see that education is an underlining factor to both recovery and prevention. Addiction is a very well known issue in America and with proper education that would teach people that it is a disease may help with relapse and even may help to prevent people from becoming addicted in the first place.

Pleasure Unwoven

Here was a video for my credibility for my research and paper, but because of the size limitations of the file, I had to remove the video but it was included in my English e-Portfolio on Canvas.

The Spectrum of Using

Use

No Harm

AbuseHarm

AddictionPotentially

Fatal

Most addictions are a result in dual diagnosis. If there is a pre-existing psychopathology there can be a faster progression in the spectrum. This often leads to self-medication. This diagram demonstrates that there is no clear cut line of falling into addiction. There is much difference in simply using to actual addiction. (Berger,2010)

What is Addiction?

Addiction- a condition in which the absence of a particular drug causes a craving to satisfy a physiological need (to stop the shakes, settle the stomach, sleep) or a psychological need (to quiet fears or lift depression). (Berger,2010)

Is Addiction a Disease?

Many believe that addiction can not be a disease because it is a choice or behavior. This leads us into the choice argument.

The choice argument states that addiction is a behavior that can be changed if the threat is strong enough, unlike actual disease. (McCauley)

Disease Model

Disease Diabetes Addiction

• Organ Pancreas Brain

• Defect No Insulin Disruption of pleasure circuit.

• Symptoms Blindness, wounds, Persistent bad

Numbness, etc. Behaviors.

Note. Behaviors are only a symptom

Factors that Can Contribute to Addiction

Within the Domains of Human Development, many things may make one more susceptible for addiction…

Biosocial Cognitive Psychosocial

• Genetics• Epigenetics• Nutrition

• Formal learning• Informal learning• Mental process• Sensory

perception

• Family• Culture• Peers• CommunityIf you hangout at the barber

shop long enough you’re eventually going to get a hair

cut. (AA)

Brain Chemistry: How we get Dopamine

• Ventral Tegmental Area Regulates the reward pathway

• Neurotransmitters System Modulates the dopamine reward pathway

Brain Chemistry: Areas in the brain involved in addiction

• The Brain Stem

• The Limbic System

• The Cerebral Cortex

Addiction Cycle

Stimulus

Amygdala

Addiction Joy CycleCycle

Joy Cycle

Stimulus

Amygdala

Joy Cycle Addiction

Cycle

Prevention with Exercise

Drugs are addictive due to a excessive release of dopamine in the brains reward pathways, or the nucleus accumbens. It has been linked that behavioral aspects that involve motor activity have a similar release in dopamine. Which means that there is a relationship between exercise and dopamine that stimulates neuroplasticity, and promotes well being. (Fontes-Ribeiro,2011)

Prevention and Recovery

Prevention of addiction and recovery of addiction may go hand-in-hand and how we approach either of them may use the same strategies. In prevention it is very important to be educated on addiction, which can also be said about recovering from addiction. As studies show it may be very beneficial to promote exercise and physical activity for prevention and recovery. Early education on handling stress may also help prevent addiction.

Prevention vs. Recovery

Prevention Recovery

• Exercise• Early Education • Community

involvement• Meditation• Holistic Health• Al-anon• Developing artistic

self• Etc.

• Exercise• Education• Community/family

support• Spirituality• Holistic Health• 12 step/meetings• Living through

artistic self• Etc.

“Find a group to be with. Don’t isolate. Isolation is trouble for those that have suffered the throws of shame and addiction. It is important to get out of yourself. Look around, become an observer, there is much to do. Embrace the possibilities and share your gifts with everyone. It doesn’t matter if others appreciate them or not. What is important is that you get out of your own way and live on life’s terms.” (Randak,2009)

Avoid Isolation

ConclusionStress is a part of life. How we handle stress, be it in sobriety or in addiction, influences the next generation as well as your cohorts. Through these experiences of stress it is crucial to stay mindful and aware of ones own thoughts that may trigger unwanted behaviors. Those behaviors may vary between seemingly insignificant isolation to dramatic self-destruction.

How To Handle StressTrain the brain

Breathe and give yourself time

Make a conscious choice to…

Mindfully create your desired outcome

Work Cited

Berger, S. K. (2010). “Drug Abuse.” In S. K. Berger, & J. Bayne (Ed.), Invitation To The Life Span (p. 392). New York, NY, USA: Worth Publishers.

Fontes-Ribeiro, C. A., E., M., & A Macedo, T. R. (2011, March). “Current Neuropharmacolgy.” May Exercise Prevent Addiction? , 45-48.

 

McCauley, K. (Director). (2009). Pleasure Unwoven [Motion Picture].

 

Randak, P. S. (2009). Art of Recovery. Salt Lake City, Utah, United States: Eagle Heart Publishing.