Understanding Addictions - DVD only *NO CE - 6 hours

Part 1

• Addiction and Brain Function: Perception, Thinking, Emotions, and Memory.

• Defining the Terms: Tolerance, Physiologic Dependence, Psychological Dependence, Addiction, and Pseudo-Addiction.

• The Reward and Pleasure System of the Brain: Dopamine. How Activation of The Nucleus Accumbens Contributes to Addictions.

• Key Elements of Addiction: Reward, Tolerance, Cravings, Loss of Control, and Continued Abuse.

• Time, Tolerance, and Changes in Behavior: Distinguishing Normal Tolerance from Aberrant Behavior.

   

• Hyperpalatable Foods and Addiction: The Siren Song of Sweet, Fat, and Salt.

• The Five Types of Overeating. Why Food Addiction Undermines Dieting. Effective Treatments for Food Addiction.

• Caffeine: Is it Addictive? Energy Drinks and Toxicity. Caffeine Withdrawal.

• Understanding Addictive Drugs: Agonists and Antagonists.

Part 2

• The Hidden Dangers of Alcohol: Intoxication, Alcohol Poisoning on College Campuses, Functional Alcoholism in the Workplace.

• Opioid Addiction: Recognizing the Signs, Reducing the Risks.

• The Dental Patient With Acute and Chronic Pain: Reducing the Risk of Drug Diversion, Misuse, and Addiction.

• Dealing with the Double-Edged Sword: Helping Patients with Chronic Pain and Substance Use Disorder.

• Smoking and Nicotine: Helping Patients to Quit. Nicotine Replacement, Varenicline, and Bupropion; Behavior Therapy, Vaccines, and Hypnosis.

• The Vulnerable Years: Teenagers and Drug Addiction.

• Gateway Drugs of Abuse: Nicotine, Alcohol, and Marijuana.

• Marijuana and the Brain: Medical Marijuana. Smoking vs. Ingestion. Consequences of Legalization.

• Cocaine, “Crack,” and Heroin: New Patterns of Use. Treatment Options.

• Stimulants and Sedatives: Amphetamines, MDMA, and Ecstasy. “Designer” Methamphetamines. Ketamine as a New Date-Rape Drug.

• Hallucinogens: LSD,Mescaline, and Psilocybin. Clinical Consequences and Complications.

• Behavioral Addictions: Gambling, Shopping, Video Games, Internet Pornography, Smart Phones, and Tablets.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the main brain functions that contribute to addictive behavior.
2. Explain the major ways that addiction changes the brains of addicts.
3. Describe how drugs mimic and alter neurotransmitters which provoke the psychological effects of addiction.
4. Explain the difference between drug dependence, tolerance, and addiction.
5. Describe the clinical consequences of addiction to food, opioids, street drugs, and alcohol.
6. List and compare the major treatment options for legal and illegal drug addictions.
7. Describe how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes.
8. Describe, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, and other health professions.