substances and substance use disorders the healing approach
TRANSCRIPT
Substances and Substance Use Disorders
The Healing Approach
Objectives
Understand substance abuseUnderstand substance addictionIdentify effects on brain and bodyIdentify effects on life and family
Genetics
Do genetics play a role? (how likely are we to repeat?)
alcoholism-60%Nicotine addiction-50-60%Cocaine addiction-40-80%Heroin addiction-50%Marijuana addiction-30-80%Hypertension (high blood pressure)- 30-50%
Use, Abuse and Addiction
Why do people take drugs?to feel good (novel feelings and experiences)to feel better (lessen anxiety and worry or depression)
Substance Use Disorders:
**Substance Abuse is a behavior disorder
**Substance Dependence is a treatable disease
Know the Effects
Primary EffectsBody and Brain
Physical repercussions of using once or multiple times
Secondary EffectsFamily and Vocational
Social repercussions of using once or multiple times
☼NONE of these can diagnose a Substance Use Disorder
Substance Use Terms
1. Addiction: compulsive behaviors for continuous reward (amygdala)
2. Tolerance: state we no longer respond to same stimulus
3. Dependence: only function normally in the presence of the drug (thalamus)
Substances to Evaluate
Alcohol- taken orally; often measured in standard units (1.5oz liquor, 12oz beer, 4oz wine)
Cocaine- taken nasally (snorted), smoked, melted and injected intravenously, used as oral anesthetic; often measured in grams
Methamphetamine- smoked, melted and injected intravenously; often measured in grams
Opioids- taken orally (pill form), melted and injected intravenously, snorted; often measured in mg
Substances, continued
Tobacco- taken orally (chew/dip), nasally (snuff), and smoked; measured by weight or by packaging
Inhalants- taken nasally and at times breathed orally; no standard unit of measurement but recognized by length of high
Designer/Synthetic- taken orally and nasally (snorted); standard unit often related to concentration as opposed to physical weight
Cannabinoids- smoked or taken orally (eating); often measured in grams or oz
Breakdown of Effects
Body- these are the physical consequences of using substances in the short and long term
Brain- these are the general sensations in the brain and impact of introducing the substance
Social- these are the effects on life, relationships, and livelihood
Alcohol
Body- liver, kidneys, pancreas (insulin), stomach and digestive system, anemia, heart (failure)…it is an IRRITANT!
Brain- slows central nervous system, memory loss, blackouts, learning impaired, depression
Social- domestic concerns, financial concerns, relationship troubles
Cocaine
Body- tense muscles, creates false sense of energy, increases heart rate, corrosive (if snorted can eat away septum), heart attacks
Brain- spasms (mis-firing of neurotransmitters), chemical imbalance, stimulant, can cause stroke
Social- possible violent behavior, mood swings when using and not using, financial trouble
Methamphetamine
Body- increase heart rate and blood pressure, possible heart attack, damage to mouth-lungs-skin-eyes-digestive, weight reduction, fatigue
Brain- stimulant, mood elevation (with drastic drops), panic, inability to concentrate, hallucinations and delusions
Social- confusion, anti-social, portrays like ADHD, paranoia, financial trouble
Opioids
Body- liver, stomach and digestive system, heart…SLOWS everything down. Secondary injuries, infections, lowers pain tolerance.
Brain- slows central nervous system, memory loss, lowers pain sensation (physical then emotional). Decreases ability to accept stimulus.
Social- vocational concerns, financial concerns, relationship troubles
Cannabinoids
Body- Lung damage, lower immune functions, temporary sterility (possibly)
Brain- effects on long-term memory (because it is stored in brain), poor concentration, disorientation, depression
Social- lack of motivation, effect on relationships, financial concerns
Tobacco
Body- Smoking: lung damage, immune system suppression. All tobacco use: digestive motility over stimulated, lesions/growths both internally and externally.
Brain- Builds receptors to manage nicotine levels, stimulus of nicotine, effects on attention span
Social- Separates and divides, gives up regular obligations or has to modify to fit habit, financial concerns
Inhalants
Body- Damages tissues internal and external, increase of CO2, decreased lung function, increased heartrate, decreased body functions
Brain- Stimulant, causes hallucinations, paranoia, decreased fuel to brain, inability to concentrate, euphoria
Social- Effects on relationships, financial strain, decreased motivation, paranoia
Designer and Synthetics
Body- Various depending on chemical compound, most frequently tissue damage, digestive disturbances, injury risk
Brain- Various depending on chemical compound, difficulty concentrating, lasting flashbulb memories and hallucinations, paranoia, euphoria, mood swings, compromises short term memory transfer to long-term memory
Social- Negative effects on relationships, financial difficulty, paranoia, lasting side effects
Recover Life and Family
Priorities:- Address cycle of motivation and/or dual
disorders- Arrange relief from financial strain- Modify priorities
- i.e. Identify goals and share them with people Identify reasonable steps for healthy choices Educate family and friends of what it takes to be supportive
Treatment Trends
Motivational InterviewingNOT persuasive, NO advice, NO jumping ahead
7 Challengesmeet them where they are at, holistic vision, problem
solving partners, gains and losses of change, focus on behavior success
Aggression replacement Trainingskill streaming, anger control training, moral reasoning
Treatment Levels
Primary ResidentialHalfway HouseIntensive OutpatientExtended OutpatientContinuing Care
Concepts of Wellness
gaining insight
getting better as a team effort
addressing the brain and body effects
mindfulness
Homework
This is a call to action…there are a few tests which are used in science and medicine to understand brain structure and functional abilities.
Take the opportunity before we meet and visit the NIMH website or NIH website and educate yourself on these scans:
PET
CT
What’s Next?
You are now an expert on basic brain and basic substance effects.
Now we gather to take an in-depth look at how substances effect the brain, what may be lasting damage, and the healing process.
I look forward to our meeting soon!
Take the Competency Quiz
Now is the time to complete the assessment to measure your base knowledge and prepare you for the next piece.
