For this activity, you will read an article and respond to a set of questions. T
ID: 3486928 • Letter: F
Question
For this activity, you will read an article and respond to a set of questions. The purpose of this assignemnt is to understand how addiction begins, how it affects the brain, and how it defies the typical rules of behavioral conditioning in humans. “Decades of research have revealed addiction to be a disease that alters the brain. We now know that while the initial decision to use drugs is voluntary (sometimes prescribed), drug addiction is a disease of the brain that compels a person to become singularly obsessed with obtaining and abusing drugs despite their many adverse health and life consequences.” – NIDA, Addiction Science http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/addiction-science Step 1: Read the article in this link prior to answering the questions: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/preface Step 2: Answer the questions below. DO NOT copy any phrases or sentences from any source directly in your responses. Please paraphrase or summarize the information in your own words. Include information from the text and/or the linked article in every response. Please only use those sources to answer the questions. 1) According to the article, name three different factors that cause people to continue using drugs, despite experiencing serious consequences? Please respond in at least 150 words. 2) Pages 17-20 in the article discuss the role of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in drug abuse and addiction. Explain in at least 150 words how the disturbance in dopamine/neurotransmitter function caused by ongoing drug use affects the user’s brain over time. 3) How are medication and/or behavioral therapies helpful for addiction treatment? Answer in at least 100 words. 4) What new information did you learn from reading this article? What parts were particularly interesting to you and why? Please provide a response in at least 100 words.
Explanation / Answer
1) According to the article, name three different factors that cause people to continue using drugs, despite experiencing serious consequences? Please respond in at least 150 words.
1. To feel good
Drug users feel a sense of pleasure when they use drugs.Stimulants like cocaine makes the person feel more confident about himself and makes him feel an increase in energy and power.
2. To feel better
People who suffer from depression, stress related disorders and social anxiety use drugs to lessen their feelings of distress.
3. To do better
Some people feel pressure to enhance their athletic and cognitive performance and hence use substances like stimulants and steroids to boost their ability.
2) Pages 17-20 in the article discuss the role of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in drug abuse and addiction. Explain in at least 150 words how the disturbance in dopamine/neurotransmitter function caused by ongoing drug use affects the user’s brain over time.
The brain carries out all our body's basic functions. The brain is made up of several parts. Those parts are responsible for performing and co ordinating specific functions. Drugs have the ability to alter the important brain functions in the area that are necessary to sustain our life. The brain areas that get affected because of drug abuse are:
The brain stem
The brain stem controls our basic functions such as heart rate, sleeping and breathing. By using drugs, there are disturbances caused in breathing and sometimes there is an effect on the heart rate.
The cerebral cortex
The cerebral cortex consists of four lobes. Those lobes process the information from our senses. They also control our ability to make decisions and think. Drugs like Barbiturates and opiates decrease our ability to sense or perceive and also affects our concentration and alertness.
The limbic system
The limbic system acts as a link by connecting a number of brain structures. These structures regulate one's ability to feel pleasure. When we get pleasure from a behaviour, we feel motivated to repeat the behaviour.
The limbic system gets activated when we perform activities like socializing, sleeping and also when we use drugs.
3) How are medication and/or behavioral therapies helpful for addiction treatment? Answer in at least 100 words.
Addiction can be treated and managed succesfully. Treatment disrupts the strong affects that drugs have on a person and makes the person have control over his/her life.
Treatment is given to drug abusers and it varies depending on the stage. The goal of treatment is to help the patient to stop abusing drugs, continue to stay in treatment and to avoid relapse.
Treating Withdrawal
When a person stops using drugs he has withdrawal symptoms such as depression, restlessness,sleeplessness, physical and emotional symptoms and other mood disorders.Medication is given to reduce these symptoms.
Staying in treatment
The medication for drug abuse gradually decreases the craving or urge and have a calming effect on the body. This will help the person through his counselling session and is a sign of recovery.
Preventing relapse
Stress/ cues linked to the drug experience can trigger a relapse. For example, if a person has been using drugs at a particular place there are chances of the person getting triggered to use drugs, if he goes to that place. Counselling will focus on identifying the triggers and helping the person avoid them to prevent a relapse.
Behavioural treatments work on modifying the drug abuser's attitude and behaviour related to drug abuse.The therapy works on increasing the person's life skills inorder to enable them to handle environmental cues and stressful circumstances that trigger craving for drugs.
The answer to question 4. is based on your learning. Your learning from the article might differ from mine.