PSYC 325 American Military University Week 7 Drug Abuse and Addiction Discussion

Substance abuse and addiction are difficult conditions to successfully treat. For example, the 12-month relapse rate among alcoholics is more than 60%, and it is nearly 75% for smokers and heroin users. One possible reason for treatment failure is the powerful way in which addictive substances affect the brain. Most addictive drugs appear to tap into the brain’s reward circuit, so that any behavior (taking a drug) preceding the psychological experience of reward is strongly reinforced. If addiction is a product of brain activity, it is logical that the treatment also must involve some change in brain activity. In fact, there are several forms of biologically-based drug treatments, including the use of agonist drugs that mimic some of the addictive drugs’ effects (e.g. methadone for heroin addiction), as well as other substances that alter activity in the reward system (such as Baclofen).

Watch this TEDMED Talk by Neuroscientist Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the NIH, on why our brains get addicted.

Then answer the questions below.

• Provide an analysis of the extent to which addiction to psychoactive drugs is a biological versus a psychological phenomenon.
• Support or refute the practice of using drug therapies for treating addiction. Be sure you are including current supportive research for your reply.
• Include in your argument above, discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of relying on drug therapy to treat addiction

Minimum 300 words

Classmate #1:

Psychoactive drugs are a biological phenomenon because of the way they hijack the brain’s dopamine reward system. Brain scans clearly show a difference in structure of Dopamine receptors in addicted brains compared to non-addicted brains, specifically in D2 dopamine receptors. The same areas of the brain that are affected by dopamine pathways in addiction are also the areas of the brain that regulate our self-control. A drug that produces an increase in dopamine production or reception, creates a condition stimulus and highly rewards the repeat of the behavior. Even to the point that the individual does not feel stimulated by the drug. In highly addictive drugs such as heroin, the initial stimulation of dopamine and pleasure is very high. People continue to use the drug “chasing” that initial high feeling despite decreased reaction to the same levels of drug.

I am in favor of using drug therapies for treating addiction. Methadone is a common drug therapy for the treatment of additions. However, more current research is being conducted in the use of psychedelics for treating addiction, depression, PTSD, and end-of-life suffering. The VA and the Multidisciplinary Association For Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) are currently researching the effectiveness of psychedelic drugs to biological treat these disorders. I support the use of natural “drugs” over pharmaceutical interventions. An issue in furthering research that may help addicts, depressed people, or veterans with PTSD is the federal scheduling of these psychedelics. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, “Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote.” While I agree that some of these drugs may have a high potential for abuse, I disagree that they have no accepted medical use. This scheduling prevents for medical research into the beneficial and therapeutic use of these drugs.

One important factor in the use of psychedelic drugs to treat addiction and PTSD is that some research indicates that one-time use of psychedelic drugs is enough to “re-wire” the brain and stop the addiction, including nicotine addictions.

Classmate #2:

Addiction to psychoactive drugs is both biological as well and psychological. In the Ted med video we learned that an increase in dopamine is a positive reinforcer. Drugs create an instant sense of gratification by causing an increase in these dopamine levels. The drug user begins craving the drug more and more seeking that increase of dopamine and positive reinforcement. After long term use there becomes a reduction in the dopamine receptors located in the frontal area of the brain. This area is responsible for self-control, and self-control then diminishes when the receptors are reduced. The drug user can then no longer control their usage, continuing to seek gratification. Psychological factors also contribute to drug use which then becomes an addiction. Often individuals who feel depressed or anxious began using drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism or to dull their emotions. This becomes the first step in addiction.

I do support drug treatment therapy for addiction. Addiction is an incredibly hard challenge to face with many cravings and urges. The rate of drug relapse is incredibly high and full recovery is often not met. With drug treatment therapy, the aim is to reduce these urges to prevent relapse. The drug is used to restore normal brain function, as well as preventing implications caused by withdrawals. Because my belief is that addiction is also psychological, I believe that behavior therapy and counseling should also be used in conjunction with drug therapy. To prevent further relapse, every aspect of addiction should be addressed. This includes biological by restoring the brains receptors, psychological by teaching skills to cope with issues such as depression and anxiety, environmental changes so as to remove the individual from areas they were able to easily access the drugs, and socially by no longer interacting with those who use drugs or condone the behaviors of drug use.

The only disadvantage I see at this time is the possible drug abuse of the prescribed medication. I know also that some of these medications have a high street value. But, with many medications, there is always the risk of abuse. On the other hand, I feel that drug therapy has many other positives. Withdrawals can at times be risky and lead to medical issues include seizures and death. If the medication helps to decrease the urge to use, the odds of relapse are likely to be much lower. With less addiction comes less long term issues such as the cost of incarceration from criminal activity related to addiction, medical issues, and a decrease in crime rate.

Classmate #3:

Hello Class, I hope that everyone is having a great week so far. This week we are discussing substance abuse and drug therapy as we learned about in the video given to watch. Substance abuse hits home hard for me as I grew up with my mom suffering addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs. Relapse was constant and hurt even more time after time. substance abuse is both biological and psychological. This is why you see it passed down through families and often referred to as a generational curse. I myself used what I saw growing up and vowed I would not be one to continue the awful streak throughout the family. I most often will not even take a prescription to feel better to even a drink to relax or have fun with friends. Some people are just wired differently and they are more at risk for addiction and substance abuse. Often times when using drugs, dopamine levels are released in the brain. Dopamine has a high association with the reward system. This creates pleasure in the brain. Leading people to go back to what made them feel pleasure. This often causes addiction and then the loss of self control because out dopamine levels motivate us and our actions. I believe that drug therapy is a good idea. I think that there are many positives to it. I also think that it should be necessary to combine it with behavior and cognitive therapies as well. The negative that I see is the possibility of the person abusing the drug used in drug therapy to help overcome their addiction. Substance abuse and use differs from person to person along with recovering.

Minimum 250 words answer to each