Section Drugs and Addictions

1. Define each of the following terms in your own words as they relate to drug use and abuse: addiction, withdraw, and tolerance

a. Addiction An addiction is a brain disorder that looks to induce behaviors that are rewarding based on stimuli within the brain. This behavior is characterized as rewarding in the brain but often comes with adverse consequences. Addiction often results in an inability to control behavior, a preoccupation with a certain behavior, or a need for continued use despite many of the consequence associated with it (Blanchard, 1998).

b. Withdraw Withdraw is physical or psychological craving for a particularly item after its use has been significantly cut back or diminished. This phase occurs as the body has developed a natural dependence on the item, drug, or behavior, and cannot properly function without its use.

c. Tolerance Tolerance occurs as the body becomes use to a certain drug or behavior after excessive use. As a result of this, the body requires much more of a stimulus to get the same high that occurred with prior usages of the drug or behavior. This is cause by the bodys ability to naturally develop immunities to various stimuli over time due to excessive use.

2. Explain, in your own words, the biological basis for addiction. Explain what happens in the brain when someone takes drugs immediately after ingesting the drug to the long-term implications. The MORE detail is better.

According to the (Secret Life of Brian video) a person often has a predisposition to addiction. Here an individuals unique physiology and genetics can cause addition. According to the (PowerPoint on Drugs, Addictions, and the Brain) for example, those who have a history of addiction with the family often are more likely to develop addictions themselves due in part to genetics. According to the (Heads up Articles) people often have certain activities in which they enjoy and do not enjoy. One activity that is very tempting to one individual will not be as tempting to another. The Heads-Up articles also provide insights in to the ability of certain substances to highjack and mitigate the regions of the brain designed for survival. This in turn, creates a false sense of security when engaging in a self-destruction behavior such as drug or alcohol use....

My reaction is surprise due in part to the overall demands placed on the body that are often unknown to the individual. I was very surprised to read about many of the nuances that occur behind the scenes that can influence the outcome of an individuals life. I also found it interesting the role that genes play in the overall outcome of a childs life. The right genes can often overcome many of the flaws experienced in a childs life.

7. What is happening in the brain for someone who has schizophrenia?"

Those with schizophrenia often hear voices or see objects that are not there. Here chemicals in the brain that control thinking, behavior, or emotion are often hijacked. They either become too active during an episode or not active enough during an episode. Here those with schizophrenia often have less nerve cells, or what scientist call grey matter within the brain. This reduction in gray matter is often the result of birth defects, malnutrition or drugs that alter the chemical makeup of the brain. In particular, the chemicals of glutamate and dopamine are heavily influenced by episodes of schizophrenia. The…