1. Introduction
- Topic: Addiction Prevalence, Symptoms, and Course
- Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
- Focus: Understanding addiction as a chronic disease affecting brain function and behavior.
2. Prevalence of Addiction
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2012 Statistics:
- 6.5% of the population over age 12 reported heavy drinking.
- 9.2% reported illicit drug use.
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2021 Statistics:
- 14.3% reported illicit drug use, possibly influenced by marijuana legalization.
- 5.8% reported heavy drinking, showing a slight decrease.
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Interpretation: The statistics provide insight but may be influenced by changing legal statuses of substances like marijuana.
3. Addiction as a Disease
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Definition: Addiction is a chronic disease that impacts brain reward, motivation, and memory circuits.
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Diagnosis: The DSM-5 categorizes substance-related disorders into intoxication, withdrawal, and substance use disorders.
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Impact on the Brain: Addiction causes physiological changes, particularly in dopamine and opioid systems, leading to altered brain function and behavior.
4. Understanding Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
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Categories: Intoxication, withdrawal, and substance use disorder.
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Symptoms of SUD:
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Cravings
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to quit
- Excessive time spent on substance-related activities
- Reduction in other activities
- Continued use despite harm
- Use in risky situations
- Social or relationship problems
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Severity Levels:
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Mild: 2-3 symptoms
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Moderate: 4-5 symptoms
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Severe: 6 or more symptoms
5. Addiction Progression
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Chronic Nature: Addiction is progressive and can lead to severe disability or premature death if untreated.
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Physiological Course: Repeated substance use causes surges in brain chemicals, leading to tolerance and dependence.
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Relapse Potential: Even after treatment, cravings can persist, particularly during early and sustained remission.
6. Types of Addictions
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Chemical Addictions: Alcohol, drugs, etc.
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Behavioral Addictions: Gambling, internet use, sex, shopping, etc.
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Process Addictions: Non-substance-related activities that trigger similar brain responses as drugs.
7. Treatment and Recovery
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Treatment Planning: Depends on the severity, types of addiction, symptoms, and individual resources.
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Considerations: Age, cognitive functioning, physical and mental health conditions, and availability of resources.
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Chronic Management: Recovery involves continuous management of addiction, addressing underlying issues, and rebuilding brain function.
8. Psychological and Physical Dependence
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Physical Dependence: Involves neurological changes that require the substance for normal functioning.
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Psychological Dependence: Results from mood effects due to neurochemical imbalances and stress responses.
9. Concurrent Disorders
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Co-occurring Issues: Depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health conditions often accompany addiction.
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Importance of Comprehensive Care: Addressing all co-occurring disorders is crucial for effective recovery.
10. Future Directions
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Next Session: Focus on models and theories of addiction.
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Understanding Addiction: Continued exploration of addiction as a complex, multifaceted disease requiring a comprehensive approach to treatment.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Addiction Prevalence, Symptoms, and Course
00:07:41 - The Consequences of Process Addictions
00:15:17 - Diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder
00:22:35 - Signs of Substance Use Disorder
00:29:59 - Symptoms of Substance Use Disorder
00:37:40 - The Brain's Response and Adaptation to Reward Stimulation
00:44:47 - Cross Tolerance and Signs of Dependence
00:52:37 - The Pain of Unfulfilled Desires
01:00:19 - Compulsive Behaviors and Addiction
01:08:11 - Deep Brain Stimulation for Mental Health
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