biological basis of addiction
DESCRIPTION
Biological Basis of Addiction. Christine Foster, LMSW Children’s Therapist. Effects of Substance Abuse: Conception – Age 11. Photo courtesy of Sterling Clarren, MD – Brain at 6 wks . Faces in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Don’t Talk Don’t Trust Don’t Deal Don’t Feel. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Biological Basis of Addiction
Christine Foster, LMSWChildren’s Therapist
Effects of Substance Abuse: Conception – Age 11
Photo courtesy of Sterling Clarren, MD – Brain at 6 wks
Faces in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
What we see What we think What may be really going on
What we can do
► Doesn’t follow rules
▪Noncompliance▪Attention Seeking▪Stubborn▪Purposeful
●Difficulty translating verbal directions into action●Cognitive deficit
♦Check for understanding♦Repeat instructions♦Simplify tasks
► Repeatedly makes the same mistakes
▪Manipulative▪Doing it on purpose▪Willful
●Not able to link cause and effect●Difficulty generalizing
♦Provide assistance with organization♦Structure choices
► Poor social judgment
▪Attention Seeking▪Poorly parented▪Impulsive
●Not able to interpret social cues●Desire to be liked
♦Role play♦Identify safe external support/s♦Safety planning
►Easily agitated ▪Poor self control▪Deviant
●Frustrated●Disappointed●Mental health issue
♦Teach self advocacy♦Identify and practice copingtechniques
Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities
Don’t TalkDon’t TrustDon’t DealDon’t Feel
How do people get better from alcohol and drugs?
Effects of Substance Abuse: Ages 12-25
Apoptosis = Pruning200 billion to 100 billion
HYPOFRONTALITY:when Dopamine spikes the cortex actually shuts off
How dodrugs & alcohol effect the brain during the
pruning process?
Limbic SystemFight or FlightPleasurable Experiences: Dopamine
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Food
Sex
Cocaine
Meth
100%150%350%1100%
Dopamine Release
If you arrest here but stop using here
Age 12
Arrested Development Effects
Stuck in psychosocial stage of development
10% Decrease in Hippocampus functioning (converts information to memory)
Increased social disinhibition Risky, impulsive behavior Poor planning &
judgment Little ability to weigh
consequences
Developmental Age of Parents
Parents with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Teen Parents
Parents with Arrested Development
Practical Applications
• Connect Client to Appropriate Service– Parent Coaching, Individual Therapy, In or
Outpatient Treatment,12-step, ACA, Alanon• Connect Child to Appropriate Service– Play Therapy, High Risk Classes, Individual or Family
Therapy• Teach Parents Executive Functioning Skills• Teach Parents To Teach Executive Functioning
Skills
Tools for Working with Families
• Play: A child’s work• Patterned, Repetitive, Predictable &
Rhythmic• Praise Executive Functioning in Parents• Teach Parents What To Say During Family
Dinners• Behavior Modification Contracts
Dopamine-Releasing Chemicals
• Alcohol & Sedative/Hypnotics
• Opiates/Opioids• Cocaine• Amphetamines• Entactogens (MDMA)• Entheogens/
Hallucinogens• Dissociants (PCP,
Ketamine)• Cannabinoids• Inhalants• Nicotine• Caffeine• Anabolic-Androgenic
Steroids
Prefrontal Cortex Thinking: Executive Functioning
1. Abstract; conceptual understanding2. Impulse Control3. Problem-Solving4. Decision-Making5. Judgment6. Emotion Regulation/Frustration Tolerance7. Ability to Feel Empathy
References•Califano Jr., Joseph (2009),How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid, The Straight Dope for Parents.•Giedd. J. N. (2004).Structural magnetic resonance imaging of the adolescent brain. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1021, 77-85.•Spear, L. P. (2002). Alcohol’s effects on adolescents. Alcohol Health and Research World, 26 (4), 287-291.Suggested Reading•Dahl, R.E. & Spear, L.P. (Eds.) (2004). Adolescent brain development: vulnerabilities and opportunities. New York: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Volume 1021. •Dubuc, B. (n.d.).The brain from top to bottom. McGill University web site:•http://www.thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/index_d.html•http://www.childtraumaacademy.com/amazing_brain/index.html•http://fasdcenter.samhsa.gov•http://nofas.org•Landreth, G. (2002). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship. Brunner Routledge.•Nestler, E. J., & Malenka, R. C. (2004, March). The addicted brain. Scientific American, 290 (3), 78-85.•Underwood, N. (2009). The teenage brain: Why adolescents sleep in, take risks, and won’t listen to reason. The Walrus Magazine.•Wallis, C. (2004, May 10). What makes teens tick? Time, 163, 57-65.•Walsh, D. (2004). Why do they act that way? A survival guide to the adolescent brain for you and your teen. New York: Free Press.