Week 6 Discussion: Addiction

Addiction is defined as “a chronic relapsing condition characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and abuse and by long- lasting chemical changes in the brain.” - MedTerms

The term relapse is the most significant in the definition of addiction. Mark Twain’s famous quote “Quitting smoking is easy, I’ve done it dozens of times” helps express how addiction becomes a physical and psychological disorder.

The Three Headed Dragon

The metaphor of the three headed dragon was first popularized by a therapist in San Francisco. The first head is physical.

Addiction is a chronic illness requiring a lifetime of attention. The second head is psychological. Addiction is a disorder with mental, emotional, and behavioural components. And the third head of the dragon is spiritual. Addiction is an existential state, experienced in isolation from others. “Chasing the Dragon”

The term “chasing the dragon” is a term used by addicts in an effort to catch the first high they had on their drug of choice. “Because of the unique reaction that the genetically addiction- prone individual experi- ences to his drug of choice, he or she pro-

grams his or herself belief system with the deep con- viction that the substance is ‘good,’” writes Richard Seymour. “This is where self-help becomes intrinsic to recovery. Unless one deals with the third head, unless one changes the belief system and effects a turning-about in the deep- est seat of consciousness, there is no recovery…” - “The Chemical Carousel” by Dirk Hanson

There are endless reasons for a person to use and abuse substances. Many people use drugs in order to escape physical and emo- tional distress. Some may drink to numb feelings, smoke marijuana to deal with stress, use cocaine to

boost energy levels and confidence, take sleeping pills to treat a panic attack, or take pain killers to re- lieve body aches and pains. But while drugs may make you feel better in the short term, these attempts to self-medicate ultimately

backfire. They do not treat the underlying problem, but simply mask the symptoms. Unfortunately, the psychi- cal, psychological, and social toll drug abuse takes on the addict is worse than the original problem that he/ she was trying to fix.

Short-term Fix with Long-term Consequences

The Cycle of Addiction

See inside: How to spot drug abuse of:

Marijuana Alcohol

Depressants Stimulants

Cocaine Methamphetamines

Prescription Drugs

Sarnia-Lambton Drug Strategy

Vulnerability to addiction:

Risk factors that increase vulnerability include:

 Family history of addiction

 Abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences in childhood

 Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety

 Early use of drugs

Physical Signs:  Loss of appetite, increase in

appetite, any changes in eat- ing habits, unexplained weight loss or gain

 Slowed or staggering walk; poor physical coordination

 Inability to sleep, awake at unusual times, unusual lazi- ness

 Red, watery eyes, pupils lar- ger or smaller than usual; blank stare

 Cold, sweaty palms, shaking hands

 Puffy face, blushing or pale- ness

 Smell of substance on breath, body or clothes

 Extreme hyperactivity; ex- cessive talkativeness

 Runny nose; hacking cough  Needle marks on lower arm,

leg or bottom of feet  Nausea, vomiting or

excessive sweating

 Tremors or shakes of hands, feet head

Unexplained change in physical behaviour could be a sign of drug

abuse

Ecstasy:  Hyper-alertness

 Sweating and dry mouth

 Increased heart rate

 Fatigue; agitation

 Jaw clenching and grinding

 Hyperthermia

 Increased emotional response

Steroids:  Rapid muscle gain  Mood swings  Change in appetite  Heightened aggressiveness  Unusually fast recovery from

sports injuries

Inhalants:  Strong chemical odour

 Missing chemicals in home

 Extremely drowsy in appearance

 Paper bags or rages used to sniff

 Strange aerosol cans hidden in room; whip cream, dust off, etc

 Large supply of chemicals with strong odour

(519) 336-5452

General Physical Symptoms

Alcohol:  Slurred speech  Disorientation; poor

coordination  Sweating  Smell of alcohol on clothing,

breath  Strange mood swings  Fake IDs, empty bottles  Difficulty waking up and

excessive thirst in morning

Heroin:  Dry mouth

 Droopy appearance

 Alternately wakeful and drowsy

 Disorientation, poor function

 Signs of injection; infection

 Shallow breathing

Marijuana:  Glassy, red eyes; dilated pu-

pils  Smell on clothing, room, car  Sleepy appearance; reduced

motivation  Cigarette rolling papers  Pipes, bongs, homemade

smoking devices

Drug Specific Symptoms

Behavioural Signs:  Change in overall attitude/

personality for no reason  Changes in friends; new

hangouts; sudden avoidance of old crowd; friends are known drug users

 Change in activities or hob- bies

 Drop in grades at school or performance at work; skips school

 Change in habits at home;

loss of interest in family  Difficulty paying attention;

forgetfulness  General lack of motivation,

energy, self-esteem, “I don’t care” attitude

 Sudden oversensitivity , temper tantrums or resentful behavior

 Moodiness, irritability, nervousness

 Silliness or giddiness  Paranoia

 Excessive need for privacy; unreachable

 Secretive or suspicious behavior

 Car accidents  Chronic dishonesty  Unexplained need for money;

stealing money or items  Change in personal grooming

habits  Possession of drug

paraphernalia

Methamphetamines  Euphoric state

 Paranoia; increased activity

 Decreased weight/appetite

 Anxiety; shaking hands

 High temperature; chest pains

 Dry, itchy skin; acne; picking at skin or hair; tooth decay

 Dilated pupils; sweating

 Aggressive behaviour

Prescription Drugs:  Prescription bottles in someone

else’s name or labels torn off

 Weight loss (“diet” pills)

 Agitated or anxious

 Sleepy or “out of it”

 Pills missing from medicine cabinet

 Unidentified pills found in be- longings

Cocaine:  Dilated pupils

 Hyper-alertness

 Lack of fatigue/sleeplessness

 Panic and/or increased anxiety

 Paranoia; extremely talkative

 Runny nose or bloody nose

 Seizures

 White powder seen on face or clothes

Sarnia Lambton Drug Strategy www.drugfreesarnialambton.com

Community Health Services www.lambtonhealth.on.ca

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health www.camh.net

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse www.ccsa.ca

Health Canada www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Lambton County Addiction Services (519) 464-4400 ext. 5370

Kent County Addiction Services (519) 436-2599

Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868

Westover Treatment Centre (519) 692-5110

Community Health Services (519) 383-8331

Drug Specific Symptoms

(519) 336-5452

General Behavioural Signs

Myth 3: Addicts have to hit rock bottom before they can get better. Recovery can begin at any point in the addiction process—the earlier the better! The longer the abuse continues, the stronger the addiction becomes. Don’t wait to intervene.

Myth 4: You can’t force someone into treatment. They have to want help.

Treatment doesn’t have to be voluntary to be successful. People who are pressured into treatment my family, employer, or legal system are just as likely to benefit as

Myth 1: Overcoming addiction is simply a matter of willpower. You can stop if you really want to. Prolonged exposure to drugs alters the brain in ways that result in pow- erful cravings and a compulsion to use.

Myth 2: Addiction is a disease; there’s nothing you can do. Most experts agree that it is a brain disease, but that does not mean a victim is helpless. The brain changes associated with addiction can be treated and reversed.

those who seek treatment on their own.

Myth 5: Treatment didn’t work before, so there’s no point trying again. Some cases are hopeless. Recovery from drug addiction is a long process that often involves setbacks. Relapse doesn’t mean that treatment has failed. Rather, it’s a signal to get back on track, either by going back to treatment or adjusting the treatment approach.

- HelpGuide.org—”Understanding Drug Addiction”

5 Myths About Drug Addiction and Substance Abuse