Microteaching - Recently Updated Pages

What is Addiction?

sidonie — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:23:06 CDT

"Addictions are repetitive behaviors in the face of negative consequences” (Frascella in Lemonick. 2007.p2)

Addiction is, “…both a disease of changed brain biology and a behavioral disorder...causing important derangements in many areas, including pathways affecting reward and cognition (Fowler, J. S., Volkow, N. D., Kassad, C. A. & Chang, L. 2007.p.13-14).”

Genetics determines much of an individual’s risk for developing an addiction. (Nestler, E. J. 2005. p.8).

Go to Step Two
See Home Page

Reflections

sidonie — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:21:39 CDT

1) Which codependent role(s) (e.g. hero, jester, caretaker) do you identify with the most?
Write down what actions and feelings you associate with that role.

2) Can you identify any other codependent person in your family? Based on what you have learned from this module, how would you encourage them to change their behavior?

3) How are you going to change your behavior with the addict in your family? What can you concretely do today to put into practice what you learned?

4) Imagine some situations in which you may predict a relapse in your codependent behavior. How would you prevent that based on the findings of this lesson?

5) What kind of therapy do you think would work best for you? Individual, group therapy, or a combination?

Reward, Survival, Dopamine and the Limbic System

sidonie — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:00:22 CDT

Dopamine pathways in the limbic system are very old in evolutionary terms.

They play an important role in our biological drives for survival and reproduction.

The ability to elevate dopamine levels in the brain is common to all mood-altering drugs (Nash, M. 1997).

Addicts do not crave heroin, cocaine, or alcohol per se but the rush of dopamine these drugs produce (Nash, M. 1997).

Floods of dopamine in the limbic system produce feelings of pleasure and euphoria, loss of control, and compulsive responses to drug-related cues (Fowler, J. S., et al. 2007; Nestler, E. J. 2005).

The amount of dopamine connecting to receptors in this area after a dose of cocaine exceeds the amount caused by naturally pleasurable activities, such as sex, causing the addict to seek this reward over naturally rewarding activities (Fowler, J. S., et al. 2007; Nestler, E. J. 2005).

The limbic system also records memories of intense emotional responses and associates them with the activity that produced those responses. This helps us focus on seeking out activities that will produce pleasure and promote survival, and avoid activities associated with pain, fear, or trauma (Nestler, E. J. 2005).

Drugs are more addictive when they enter the brain rapidly and cause a large dopamine spike that falls off quickly (Fowler, J. S., et al. 2007).

Cravings occur when the euphoria subsides and persist as long as this area of the brain remains activated (Fowler, J. S., et al. 2007).

Chronic exposure to the drug reduces the availability of dopamine transporters, indicating a loss of dopamine cells (Fowler, J. S., et. al. 2007).

Fewer dopamine transporters are associated with poor memory, low moods and slower motor function (Fowler, J. S., et al. 2007).

Go to Step Three
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References

sidonie — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:04:59 CDT

Brethren, P., Minsky, S. & Washam, K. (December 2005). Response: The healing power of information. NIDA Science and Practice Perspectives, 3(1), 11-12. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from http://www.nida.nih.gov/perspectives/vol3no1.html Google.

Chang, L. & Linde, P. (2007). Response: Images and interventions of imaging the addicted human brain. NIDA: Science & Practice Perspectives, 3(2), 17-19. Retrieved April 11, 2008, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/PDF/Perspectives/vol3no2/Imaging.pdf Google.

Dede, C. (2004). The present and the future of Educational technology: An interview with Christopher Dede. Retrieved on April 4, 2008 from http:/knowledgkingdom.org/gmott/cdede_intv.html.

Fowler, J. S., Volkow, N. D., Kassad, C. A. & Chang, L. (2007). Imaging the addicted human brain. NIDA: Science & Practice Perspectives, 3(2), 4-16. Retrieved April 11, 2008, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/PDF/Perspectives/vol3no2/Imaging.pdf Google.

Jonassen, D. (1999a). Design of constructivist learning environments. In CM
Reigeluth (Ed.), Instructional-design theories and models: A new paradigm of Instructional Theory, Volume 2, 215 – 237. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Lemonick, M. D. How we get addicted. Time in Partnership with CNN. Retrieved April 22, 2008, from http://www.time.com/time/2007/addiction/

Nestler, E. J. (2005). The neurobiology of cocaine addiction. NIDA Science & Practice Perspectives, 3(1), 4-10. Retrieved April 11, 2008, from Http://www.drugabuse.gov/PDF/Perspectives/vol3no1/Neurobiology.pdf Google.

Nye, B. (2008). Retrieved April 23, 2008 from http:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b09V94WVTw&feature=related

Addiction and the Family

sidonie — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:38:21 CDT

Module Overview

Addiction in many forms is becoming very prevalent in American society. There is new research that provides a physiological answer for addiction. Addiction isn't just about a personal problem with self-control, families enabling the addictive behavior, or people making bad choices. Now that we understand what is happening in the brain of the addicted person, we are that much closer to finding treatments that work.

Though often unrealized, help for codependency, alcohol and drug addiction is a family affair. Often times the family also needs time for healing and recovery. There are various approaches for helping the family understand their role in the addicts treatment process. Having an understanding of the complexity of the addiction and the disease process and knowing what families can do to help are paramount to successful abstinence.

STEP ONE:
Watch The Eyes of Nye video: Part One from 4:21 to 6:16
Read What is Addiction?

STEP TWO:
Watch The Eyes of Nye video: Part One from 7:04 to the end; and Part Three from the beginning to 2:16
Read Reward, Survival, Dopamine and the Limbic System

STEP THREE:
Watch the The Eyes of Nye video: Part Two from the beginning to 3:47
Read Cognition, Rewards vs. Consequences and the Frontal Cortex

STEP FOUR:
Watch the The Eyes of Nye video: Part Three from 2:17 to 3:32
Read Treatment of the Addict

STEP FIVE:
ReadTreatment for the Family
Answer the Reflections questions

Step 1: Watch Part 1 from 4:21 to 6:16

sidonie — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:37:57 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Treatment for the Family

sidonie — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:49:34 CDT

"Addiction is an obsession in that the addict’s entire life becomes focused on getting more of the drug. In the same way, family members of the addict become obsessed with the addict: will he come home tonight? Will he get violent? Will he go into work? Will he lose his job? Will we lose our house?” (projectknow.com).

This downward spiral leads to codependency, which manifests itself with the family members taking on roles to cope with the addict and suppress their underlying feelings of guilt, shame, fear, and anger. The most common roles are the:

hero (makes sure that everything appears to be fine to outsiders)

jester (minimizes or jokes about the seriousness of the addiction)

caretaker or enabler (may give the addict shelter, money, food).

Understanding that they are playing roles and not being honest about the situation is an important step toward helping the addict face their own serious condition. This is a crucial step that can lead the addict closer to treatment and recovery.

Some therapy options for the families of addicts in the process of overcoming codependent behaviors are: individual therapy involving self-reflection and observation of personal behaviors and feelings (e.g. cognitive behavioral therapy), or group therapy, such as 12-step recovery programs (e.g. codependents anonymous).

Go to Reflections

Treatment of the Addict

sidonie — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:48:29 CDT

Even though psychological and behavioral factors are predominant in the presentation and diagnosis of the disease, addiction initiates a profound disordering of the drives for survival and the reward systems of the brain (Nestler, E. J. 2005.p.9).

Addicts need to fight a very powerful biology in order to get to treatment and to maintain recovery

The biochemical disorder associated with addiction can be reversed through learning and behavioral therapy

The frontal cortex and other structures in alcoholics begin to recover within weeks of abstinence (Fowler, J. S., et al. 2007).

Go to Step Five: Treatment for the Family

Cognition, Rewards vs. Consequences and the Frontal Cortex

sidonie — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:47:11 CDT

Another region of the limbic system, the frontal cortex, is also impaired by drug use.

The frontal cortex is involved in logical thinking; making decisions about what stimuli requires attention; controlling impulsive behaviors, such as aggression; setting goals and ordering priorities (Fowler, J. S., et al. 2007).

Impairment of this region is believed to be responsible for addicts’ inability to forego the pleasure of drug use in favor of more responsible choices (Fowler, J. S., et al. 2007).

Smaller prefrontal lobes with diminished activity have been found in people who abuse alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine and various other substances (Fowler, J. S., et al. 2007).

Go to Step Four
See Home Page

The Eyes of Nye

sidonie — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:46:50 CDT

Step 2: Watch Part 1 7:04 to end; Part 3 from beginning to 2:16

sidonie — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:24:04 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Step 4: Watch Part 3 from 2:17 to 3:32

sidonie — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:22:42 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Step 3: Watch Part 2 from beginning to 3:47

sidonie — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:22:09 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Addiction is a Disease

sidonie — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:09:39 CDT

Post summary here