Craving for Ecstasy Addictive behaviours hi-jack the brain neurotransmission system(e.g., dopamine / meth)

Internal opiates (i.e., enkephalin; endorphins)

This is true for all behaviours

Seemingly innocent to the illicit

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But so What...

We all have a brain - and all brains release dopamine?

The Addictive Personality

Okay so the research says...

that there is no such thing as an definite addictive personality...

Then what?

And during my compulsion what

Happens....?

The Euphoric Cycle May Explain his or her behavior,

But not Mine!

Getting Back to “Addiction to Experience”

The Psyche...

The Serendipitous Event We find our drug of choice – reduce stress / inner turmoil

Incipient Addicts – experience compulsions and loss of control long before ingesting psychoactive substances

For instance, family problems, school truancy / violence / crime / interpersonal relations, par-suicidal behaviors

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(Nixon and Solowoniuk, 2012)

Soothing or Chilling Man...

Sensation Seeker

Three types of addiction seem to involve different parts of the brain

• These are related to moods as well

Responsible for imagery

and mental content (e.g.., of the heroin user, fantasy addict)

“Blinkers on”

Self-induced changes in neurotransmission

Let’s Look at Cocaine...

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Do we dose ourself because of an abnormality or deficit in neurotransmission?

Impingement

Let’s talk about Dougg’s

Blum’s Cascade, Douggs, Reward Deficiency

Syndrome

Cooped Up / Bored

Rush of life

All the Blinkers are On

Massive Hit of Life

Adrenaline Fix

Drugs, Dopamine Levels, Limbic

System

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Activity and Dopamine Level

Drugs and Dopamine Release Amphetamine 900%

Cocaine 200%

Heroine 160%

Marijuana 130%

Nicotine 100%

Suppress withdrawal / cravings

A Vaccine for Cocaine Addiction?

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