Why do people take drugs?

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Why do people take drugs?

In general, people begin taking drugs for a variety of reasons:

• To feel good. Most abused drugs produce intense feelings of pleasure. This initial sensation of euphoria is followed by other effects, which differ with the type of drug used. For example, with stimulants such as cocaine, the “high” is followed by feelings of power, self-confidence, and increased energy. In contrast, the euphoria caused by opiates such as heroin is followed by feelings of relaxation and satisfaction.   
• To feel better. Some people who suffer from social anxiety, stress-related disorders, and depression begin abusing drugs in an attempt to lessen feelings of distress. Stress can play a major role in beginning drug use, continuing drug abuse, or relapse in patients recovering from addiction.
• To do better. Some people feel pressure to chemically enhance or improve their cognitive or athletic performance, which can play a role in initial experimentation and continued abuse of drugs such as prescription stimulants or anabolic/androgenic steroids.
• Curiosity and “because others are doing it.” In this respect adolescents are particularly vulnerable because of the strong influence of peer pressure. Teens are more likely than adults to engage in risky or daring behaviors to impress their friends and express their independence from parental and social rules.

Over time, if drug use continues, other pleasurable activities become less pleasurable, and taking the drug becomes necessary for the user just to feel “normal.”

The Addiction Crisis: New Education Series for Parents, Teachers, Other Concerned Individuals

Please join us...for your family, for yourself.

Save the dates and register now for our "Network of Support: The Addiction Crisis and Our Families." A four-part conference call series on the basics of drug addiction as a brain disease and strategies for parents, teachers, and social workers to better cope with this crisis. PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES, CLIENTS, ETC.

Network of Support: The Addiction Crisis and Our Families A four-part conference-call series for educators, parents, social workers, and other concerned individuals. Tuesdays--July 18, July 25, August 1, and August 8. 11:00 am-12:00 pm EDT or Wednesdays, July 19. July 26. August 2. and August 9, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm EDT. Presented by Fred Elia, president, A Thousand Moms, and David Balog, author, Dana Foundation’s Sourcebook of Brain Science and Healing the Brain: Stress, Trauma and LGBT/Q Youth. Overdoses are now the leading cause of death in Americans under 50. Only 1 in 4 Americans with opioid addiction are getting the treatment they need. The national opioid addiction crisis is poised to get even worse as new synthetic drugs are introduced. The consequences for the foster care system are stark, and in particular, for LGBT/Q youth in foster care. Presented in clear, uncomplicated language To empower participants, coverage in this series will include the basic science behind addiction and why this understanding is so important. Each session will also offer practical strategies for coping with current or potential abuse by a loved one. Topics and dates: Program:   How the Brain Works; Why is addiction a brain disease and why does it matter? Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse: Communication. 60 mins Tues., July 18. 11:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT., or Wed., July 19. 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm EDT.    Opioid/Heroin Abuse: From prescription painkiller to killer. Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse: Encouragement, Negotiation. 60 mins Tues., July 25. 11:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT or Wed., July 26. 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm EDT.    Methamphetamines, Cocaine: Dopamine, the body's life-or-death chemical. Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse: Setting Limits, Supervision. 60 mins. Tues., Aug. 1. 11:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT or Wed., Aug. 2. 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm EDT.    Alcohol, Marijuana: Different means and underestimated. Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse: Knowing your child's friends.60 mins. Tues, Aug. 8. 11:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT. or Wed., Aug. 9. 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm EDT.  Cost: Organizations, $30 per session, or $100 for all 4 sessions (unlimited access). Individuals: $15 per session, $40 for the entire series. Scholarships available on a limited basis. Write or call to inquire. Contributions are tax deductible. Lines are limited. RSVP ASAP by July 9 to athousandmoms@yahoo.com or call 518 322-0607. Reserve your line with a contribution to www.AThousandMoms.org Checks can be mailed to A Thousand Moms, 2367 Curry Road, Schenectady NY 12303. You will be notified by email of the number to call, with the log-in code. Handouts for each session will be e-mailed to participants.

Just What Do Drugs Specifically Do to Your Brain?

The old image was of eggs on a frying pan. But drugs, from alcohol to nicotine to meth and heroin target specific areas of the brain, and thus have varying effects on us and our behavior, short- and long-term.From our new book: Healing the Brain:
 

The brain, this three-pound mass of gray and white matter, sits at the center of all human activity—you need it to drive a car, to enjoy a meal, to breathe, to create an artistic masterpiece, and to enjoy everyday activities. In brief, the brain regulates your body’s basic functions; enables you to interpret and respond to everything you experience; and shapes your thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

The brain is made up of many parts that all work together as a team. Different parts of the brain are responsible for coordinating and performing specific functions. Drugs can alter important brain areas that are necessary for life-sustaining functions and can drive the compulsive drug abuse that marks addiction.

Key brain areas affected by drug abuse include:

The brain stem, which controls basic functions critical to life, such as heart rate, breathing, and sleeping.

The cerebral cortex, which is divided into areas that control specific functions.

Different areas process information from our senses, enabling us to see, feel, hear, and taste. The front part of the cortex, the frontal cortex or forebrain, is the thinking center of the brain; it powers our ability to think, plan, solve problems, and make decisions.

The limbic system, which contains the brain’s reward circuit. It links together a number of brain structures that control and regulate our ability to feel pleasure. Feeling pleasure motivates us to repeat behaviors that are critical to our existence. The limbic system is activated by healthy, life-sustaining activities such as eating and socializing— but it is also activated by drugs of abuse. In addition, the limbic system is responsible for our perception of other emotions, both positive and negative, which explains the mood-altering properties of many drugs.

How do drugs work in the brain?

Drugs are chemicals that affect the brain by tapping into its communication system and interfering with the way neurons normally send, receive, and process information. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter. This similarity in structure “fools” receptors and allows the drugs to attach onto and activate the neurons. Although these drugs mimic the brain’s own chemicals, they don’t activate neurons in the same way as a natural neurotransmitter, and they lead to abnormal messages being transmitted through the network.

Get the book!

What are the risk factors for addiction?

In our new book, Healing the Brain, we take a long look at factors that put anyone at risk, especially youth, for getting addicted. We're non-judgmental and understanding in hopes to increase awareness.

II. RISK FACTORS:

What biological factors increase the risk of addiction?

Scientists estimate that genetic factors account for between 40 and 60 percent of a person’s vulnerability to addiction; this includes the effects of environmental factors on the function and expression of a person’s genes. A person’s stage of development and other medical conditions they may have are also factors.

Adolescents and people with mental disorders are at greater risk of drug abuse and addiction than the general population.

What other factors increase the risk of addiction?

Early Use.

Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, research shows that the earlier a person begins to use drugs, the more likely he or she is to develop serious problems. This may reflect the harmful effect that drugs can have on the developing brain; it also may result from a mix of early social and biological vulnerability factors, including unstable family relationships, exposure to physical or sexual abuse, genetic susceptibility, or mental illness. Still, the fact remains that early use is a strong indicator of problems ahead, including addiction.

Method of Administration.

Smoking a drug or injecting it into a vein increases its addictive potential. Both smoked and injected drugs enter the brain within seconds, producing a powerful rush of pleasure. However, this intense “high” can fade within a few minutes, taking the abuser down to lower, more normal levels. Scientists believe this starkly felt contrast drives some people to repeated drug taking in an attempt to recapture the fleeting pleasurable state.

Introducing drugs during adolescence may cause brain changes that have profound and long-lasting consequences.

The brain continues to develop into adulthood and undergoes dramatic changes during adolescence. One of the brain areas still maturing during adolescence is the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that enables us to assess situations, make sound decisions, and keep our emotions and desires under control. The fact that this critical part of an adolescent’s brain is still a work in progress puts them at increased risk for making poor decisions (such as trying drugs or continuing to take them). Also, introducing drugs during this period of development may cause brain changes that have profound and long-lasting consequences.

 Get the book!

Addiction a brain disease?

Drug addiction is not a failure of will. Why? Because the brain changes once someone is hooked. It's true, initial drug use is a voluntary, preventable behavior.

But once the brain is hooked, we are dealing with a compromised brain. Here's a selection from our book, Healing the Brain.

What is drug addiction? Addiction is defined as 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 brain—they change its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long-lasting, and can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who abuse drugs.

Addiction is a lot like other diseases, such as heart disease. Both disrupt the normal, healthy functioning of the underlying organ, have serious harmful consequences, and are preventable and treatable, but if left untreated, can last a lifetime.

NIDA.gov

Why do people take drugs?

In general, people begin taking drugs for a variety of reasons:

• To feel good. Most abused drugs produce intense feelings of pleasure. This initial sensation of euphoria is followed by other effects, which differ with the type of drug used. For example, with stimulants such as cocaine, the “high” is followed by feelings of power, self-confidence, and increased energy. In contrast, the euphoria caused by opiates such as heroin is followed by feelings of relaxation and satisfaction.   
• To feel better. Some people who suffer from social anxiety, stress-related disorders, and depression begin abusing drugs in an attempt to lessen feelings of distress. Stress can play a major role in beginning drug use, continuing drug abuse, or relapse in patients recovering from addiction.
• To do better. Some people feel pressure to chemically enhance or improve their cognitive or athletic performance, which can play a role in initial experimentation and continued abuse of drugs such as prescription stimulants or anabolic/androgenic steroids.
• Curiosity and “because others are doing it.” In this respect adolescents are particularly vulnerable because of the strong influence of peer pressure. Teens are more likely than adults to engage in risky or daring behaviors to impress their friends and express their independence from parental and social rules.

Get the book:

www.healingthebrainbook.com

 

 

Carrie Fisher Says Donald Trump’s Sniffles Are ‘Absolutely’ a Cocaine Thing

“I’m an expert,” tweets the actress

Rasha Ali | October 9, 2016 @ 10:20 PM

00:51

00:52

“Star Wars” star and acclaimed author Carrie Fisher says she knows exactly why Donald Trump has a constant case of the sniffles during the presidential debates, and her conclusion is the same as everybody else’s: cocaine







During Sunday night’s second presidential debates, a fan tweeted at Fisher asking if Trump’s sniffle was due to coke use.

Via Twitter, a fan asked actress Carrie Fisher, “Tell me something about that sniffle…coke head or no?” asked the fan.

“I’m an expert & ABSOLUTELY,” replied Fisher.

9 Oct

Amy R @reimamy

@carrieffisher tell me something about that sniffle...coke head or no?

 Follow

Carrie Fisher 

✔@carrieffisher

@reimamy I'm an expert & ABSOLUTELY

10:00 PM - 9 Oct 2016

 
•  1,3641,364 Retweets
 
•  2,6952,695 likes

The Donald has been getting a lot of attention for his nose issues. During the first presidential debate, the Republican candidate was frequently sniffing. Social media quickly took notice and had a ball mocking his sniffles.

It seems like the only person who didn’t notice Trump’s sniffles was… Trump. The incessant sniffling was still present the second time around.

Also Read:Everybody Loves Ken Bone, Presidential Debate Questioner

Fisher’s expertise on the signs of whether somebody is a cokehead comes from her own past drug addiction, which Fisher herself has never shied away from discussing.

Trump’s sniffles were a big topic of conversation after the first debate on September 26, and the sniffles returned for the second debate — thus the question for Fisher.

To find out if Trump’s sniffles will persist, tune in October 19 for the third and final presidential debate.

LEARN ABOUT STRESS, TRAUMA AND THE BRAIN IN MY NEW BOOK: