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Addiction

Can Brain Scans Predict Relapse?

What if brain scans could predict whether someone was more vulnerable to relapse?

Measuring brain activity of the vmPFC might give insight into which recovering addicts are more vulnerable to relapseIn addiction recovery, relapse is most often caused by external cues and stress that act as triggers for cravings. New research is finding the area of the brain that might be responsible for why some recovering addicts are more vulnerable to relapse than others.

A study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, found that recovering addicts who had elevated activity in the region of the brain known as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex or vmPFC (even when relaxed) were eight times more likely to relapse within 90 days than those whose vmPFC activty was lower when they were relaxed. (Healthland.time.com)

The study monitored the brain activity of 45 recovering alcoholics, who were in a 12 steps AA program, and had been sober for four to eight weeks. The researchers studied each person during three different types of experiences: a stressful one, one that involved a common trigger to drink, and a relaxing one. Personalized video experiences were created for each person to watch during an MRI brain scan. The brain activity patterns were then compared to 30 social drinkers of similar age, intelligence and gender who were not in recovery. Read more

Addiction Stigma: Brain Disease or Moral Failing?

Addiction hijacks the reward center of the brain, it is not a character flaw in those who suffer. We’ve discussed before on this blog how the negative addiction stigma can be a major obstacle for those seeking help for substance abuse. Despite the fact that the American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as a “primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuity,” our society still tends to stigmatize addiction as a character flaw or moral failing.

A current example, written about by Deni Carise, is Lindsay Lohan’s recent appearance on The Letterman Show. Despite David Letterman having admitted on his show a while back that he was  an alcoholic, he perpetuated the addiction stigma by mocking and making jokes to Lohan’s face regarding her struggles with substance abuse. Carise writes, “Rest assured if you are famous, the media will crucify you if you relapse.” She adds, “Given our current preoccupation with disastrous lifestyles and recovery failures, the mistaken belief that those addicted to drugs or alcohol never get better or are in some way weak or forever damaged, and the ongoing stigma surrounding addiction — perpetuated by the very people who should know better — is it any wonder why so many are silent about their recovery?” And while the government agrees that addiction is a disease, the efforts of the “War on Drugs” still classifies most drug users as criminals. Read more

Cocaine, Heroin and Sugar Addiction: What’s The Connection?

Sugar addiction affects the same reward pathway as drugs and alcohol.Is there a connection between cocaine, heroin and sugar addiction? Many will be surprised to know that there is. The fact that a bag of Sour Patch Kids or gummy worms is related to cocaine, heroin, or other drugs might seem far fetched, but they’re similar in how they can affect the brain.

Sugar, like drugs and alcohol, activates the reward cycle of the brain by stimulating dopamine (the reward-seeking chemical that is also responsible for addictive behaviors). “A sugar binge alters brain function and fuels the desire for more sweet stuff,” says Princeton University psychology professor Bart Hoebel. There is a sugar high caused by a surge of dopamine, similar to the “feel-good” rush of drugs or alcohol. This can be followed by the psychological and physical symptoms of withdrawal when sugar is then denied. (Medheadlines.com) Read more

Did Sizzurp Cause Lil’ Wayne’s Seizures?

Drinking cough syrup with soda and jolly rancher candy can be a dangerous, possibly lethal combinationLast month rapper Lil’ Wayne ended up in the hospital suffering from seizures, and Sizzurp might be to blame for it. Sizzurp, which is also called the “purple drank,” is a brew made of prescription cough syrup, Sprite or Mountain Dew, and Jolly Rancher candy. The purple color comes from the dyes in the cough syrup, which contains the strong opiate codeine and the anti-histamine promethazine.

Doctors and addiction experts warn that this concoction is very dangerous, especially because it is the type of drink that kids are drawn to. A drink with Sprite, Mountain Dew and Jolly Rancher candy may sound innocent. But in reality, codeine is a strong, dangerous opiate, especially when consumed in large amounts. It can cause intoxication, drowsiness, nausea, confusion, dehydration, dangerous blood pressure levels, fast heart rate, difficulty breathing and seizures. It is in the same class of drugs as Percocet, morphine and heroin. Because codeine affects the reward center of the brain, it is highly addictive.

Also, promethazine, the other ingredient in cough syrup, is an antiemetic, which prevents vomiting. It’s unbelievably dangerous to drink something that acts like a poison in the body along with a substance like promethazine that prevents the body from being able to throw up. This harmless-sounding drink can turn out to be lethal.

Over-the-counter cough syrup is also used in Sizzurp. This usually contains Dextromethorphan, or “DXM,” which is similar to codeine in that it can cause drowsiness and breathing difficulties. It can also cause vision changes, hallucinations, and other weird behavior. Sizzurp is causing an increase in cases reported to poison centers across the country.

Cough syrup is especially concerning because many people see it as similar to other prescription drugs. It’s important to remember that just because you can find it in the home medicine cabinet and not on the street corner, doesn’t mean it isn’t addictive and dangerous.

When Does Drug or Alcohol Use Warrant the Label: Almost Addict?

A social drink that becomes problematic could be a warning sign of addictionMany who suffer with a drug or alcohol use problem often fly under the radar because they don’t meet certain criteria that would label them: ADDICT. Recently Harvard Medical School released another installment of their “Almost Effect” series that discusses health situations that fall between normal and full-blown problems. The latest is called “Almost Addicted: Is My (or My Loved One’s) Drug Use a Problem?”

How do you recognize drug or alcohol use that has become problematic but hasn’t reached the diagnostic criteria for addiction? How do you know when to seek help? Dr. J. Wesley Boyd says, that “to qualify as an almost addiction, a behavior must fall outside of what is considered normal, but, at the same time, not meet criteria for a DSM diagnosis; that it’s causing identifiable problems; that it might progress to a full-blown condition or, at least, cause substantial suffering; that an intervention should be able to help; and that stopping the behavior will improve quality of life. The benefit of identifying drug-using behavior as “almost addicted,” is that it offers an opportunity to stop and turn your life around before a problem progresses into full addiction, which is much more difficult to treat.” (Psych Central) Read more

What Do People Research More: New Car or Addiction Treatment?

People spend more time researching when shopping for a new car than when deciding on the best addiction treatment option, according to a recent article in The New York Times. There is an estimated 23.5 million Americans addicted to drugs and alcohol. Of this number about 1 out of every 10 seek treatment. And for that small percentage who get into treatment, the relapse rate is very high. So when it comes to addiction treatment, what should people be looking for?

A woman researches the car she's thinking of buying than the addiction treatment her husband needsOne of the biggest problems with addiction treatment options today is that many providers still use the outdated model that one size fits all. Another problem according to a study done last year by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, is that many providers are not medical professionals and they don’t offer “evidence-based care” or “treatment consistent with scientific knowledge about what works.” This means that thousands of treatment programs around the country still offer the same type of care that someone fifty years ago would have received. Hasn’t our understanding of the brain changed since then? Read more

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