Addiction advice thread

[dappled]

I was under the impression that, because it is addictive, you need more and more to reach the same effect and that eventually, you cannot function in society anymore ......... ?

'Tolerance' is the key word here.

new user -> gets sick / feels nothing
2nd/3rd time user -> gets high
junkie-> uses to feel what he perceives as 'normal'/does not get high

regular use builds tolerance. 'tolerance' is the body's adaptation to the regular/constant presence of the substance. because the user's body is adapting to the presence of the drug, the user has to keep using more to achieve the same high.

the more the substance is present in the body, the more the body (and brain) adapts to the presence of the drug. the more adapted the body has become to the presence of the substance, the smaller the gap between [baseline] and [high]. in other words, the user is still technically getting high, but because the user's mind and body is so used to and adapted to the presence of the substance, the "normal" [baseline] is raised. The 'gap' from [baseline] to [high] is smaller, so the user does not perceive getting as high.

what starts out as 'getting high' ends up being 'getting normal', because of the adaptations that the body makes in order to accommodate the presence of the substance.

non-regular users do not develop tolerance. When they get high, they feel high. hard core junkies on the other extreme are people who's bodies are adapted to the continuous presence of the substance. They don't use to get high, they use to feel normal, because when they don't use, their bodies and brains (initially) are thrown into chaos ('withdrawal') from the absence of the substance (physical dependence).

 

[HyperBudgie]

What is a 'functional' heroin user?

Thanks

A "functional heroin user" is an addict with heroin....The addiction gets to the point that you no longer get high...you merely keep the sickness at bay and are able to function (talk and walk etc...)..

 

[HyperBudgie]

'Tolerance' is the key word here.

new user -> gets sick / feels nothing
2nd/3rd time user -> gets high
junkie-> uses to feel what he perceives as 'normal'/does not get high

regular use builds tolerance. 'tolerance' is the body's adaptation to the regular/constant presence of the substance. because the user's body is adapting to the presence of the drug, the user has to keep using more to achieve the same high.

the more the substance is present in the body, the more the body (and brain) adapts to the presence of the drug. the more adapted the body has become to the presence of the substance, the smaller the gap between [baseline] and [high]. in other words, the user is still technically getting high, but because the user's mind and body is so used to and adapted to the presence of the substance, the "normal" [baseline] is raised. The 'gap' from [baseline] to [high] is smaller, so the user does not perceive getting as high.

what starts out as 'getting high' ends up being 'getting normal', because of the adaptations that the body makes in order to accommodate the presence of the substance.

non-regular users do not develop tolerance. When they get high, they feel high. hard core junkies on the other extreme are people who's bodies are adapted to the continuous presence of the substance. They don't use to get high, they use to feel normal, because when they don't use, their bodies and brains (initially) are thrown into chaos ('withdrawal') from the absence of the substance (physical dependence).

Well put.

 

[HyperBudgie]

Is drug addiction hereditary?

As far as I know research has only been done on alcoholics, so we assume that it is the same with other drugs, but since different drugs have different effects on the brain we can't be sure about this. Genetics is only one factor, a child of an alcoholic is not destined to be an alcoholic and not all alcoholics have alcoholic parents, but there is strong evidence that there is a genetic component in alcoholism. For example adopted children who had an alcoholic parent, one whom they have never met even, have a higher risk of becoming alcoholic. The actual genes involved though have not been found, nor is the actual mechanism known, we don't actually know exactly what it is the gene does to person that makes them more prone to alcoholism.

The genetic influence on addiction results from variations that affect a protein whose production is governed by the gene.
For example, take the gene that governs the synthesis of the mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1), a docking site for the neurotransmitter β-endorphin. This gene has a variant with three times the average affinity for β-endorphin. In people who carry the high-affinity variant, the pleasurable endorphin response to alcohol and heroin is much stronger than average, so they are much more susceptible to becoming substance abusers..This genetic defect can be hereditary.

I knew it had something to do with proteins in the brain....If someone was not born with this genetic abnormality and then becomes addicted to a substance they develop the defect and it remains permanent...The controlling gene is permanently altered...

 

[dappled]

Congrats on staying clean bipolardude, it sounds like you have been to living hell and i hope you don't ever go back.

Dolby i don't know how you ever ended up with a chick who sounds like the complete opposite to you.

 

[HyperBudgie]

Congrats on staying clean bipolardude, it sounds like you have been to living hell and i hope you don't ever go back.

Dolby i don't know how you ever ended up with a chick who sounds like the complete opposite to you.

Thanks bud....

Hell and back...then back to hell and back again...over and over again untill finally totally free and no longer chasing the dragon...

Opposites attract...I'm Bipolar I should know!

 

[HyperBudgie]

Keep the thread alive

I'd love to keep this thread going its really helping me...I only have access to the internet at work so won't be online till Tuesday...I hope the thread stays alive a while....There might be someone out there that could benefit from this one...Maybe.

 

[poffle]

Congrats BipolarDude, awesome to hear mate. Keep it up.

This thread is lekker, been following it constantly. Its very enlightening.

 

[Tamagotchi]

Will follow again on Tuesday then.

 

[kronoSX]

I want to stop smoking but its been a upward battle for 3 months.I really need to stop cause its killing me slowly.I tried the normal things that you can buy but its a no go.
DO i really need to see a therapist to stop smoking?

 

[Sherbang]

The genetic influence on addiction results from variations that affect a protein whose production is governed by the gene.
For example, take the gene that governs the synthesis of the mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1), a docking site for the neurotransmitter β-endorphin. This gene has a variant with three times the average affinity for β-endorphin. In people who carry the high-affinity variant, the pleasurable endorphin response to alcohol and heroin is much stronger than average, so they are much more susceptible to becoming substance abusers..This genetic defect can be hereditary.

I knew it had something to do with proteins in the brain....If someone was not born with this genetic abnormality and then becomes addicted to a substance they develop the defect and it remains permanent...The controlling gene is permanently altered...

That's interesting. It means some people are at greater risk. For differing reasons though. In the example above, for example, risk is increased because the pleasurable endorphin response to the substance is much stronger than average. That's just one example. Another would be someone who requires more alcohol than normal to feel the effect, almost the opposite of your example. They would need to drink more than the average person to feel the pleasurable effect and are therefore also more at risk of becoming addicted.

I found this article interesting:http://neuroanthropology.net/2008/05/06/the-genetic-and-environmental-bases-of-addiction/

Modern scientific inquiries tell us that the inheritance of these addictive tendencies cannot be attributed to a single gene, as is the case for some diseases. Its transmittance is much more complicated.

For instance, genes involved in the metabolism of alcohol can be implicated in increased risk of addiction. For instance a major study found that young men who required more alcohol to experience an effect had higher rates of alcohol problems later in life. However, other genes, including those known to affect behavior and mood, are thought to be connected with addiction as well (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Addiction). Currently, scientists point to differences in clusters of genes on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, 15, and 16 as important in chemical dependence (Goldman Review).

It must be remembered however that there are social and environmental factors as well. Someone may not be genetically predisposed (they have a 'normal' genetic makeup) and still become addicted due to social and environmental factors.

Many anthropologists and other social scientists have made the case that social conditions matter, that is to say, that addiction “runs along the fault lines of society” (Neuroanthropology Blog). In the experiment described in this link, scientists showed that monkeys who were regularly dominated by other monkeys were much more likely to self-medicate with cocaine than those monkeys at the top of the social ladder. Therefore, they theorized that the “derived stress from being dominated” played a significant role in the likelihood of drug abuse and addiction. Returning to the case of our addict in the introduction, his constant urge to use could be a direct result of his low status within the social structure. Also, the very fact that he is on the fringes of “accepted society” may actually be both a cause as well as a result of his addiction.

Genetic predisposition should not be used as a way of enforcing a self-limiting belief (I'm born this way and have no choice), or a way of avoiding responsibility (no point in trying to recover).
Of course this research into genetic predisposition could have profound implications for the methods and understanding of rehabilitation.

 

[Jewelbox]

This thread is too complicated for me.........

 

[HyperBudgie]

I want to stop smoking but its been a upward battle for 3 months.I really need to stop cause its killing me slowly.I tried the normal things that you can buy but its a no go.
DO i really need to see a therapist to stop smoking?

I don't think you need therapy but you can go to your GP and get a script for "Zyban"...It's actually an anti-depressant but they discovered that it suppresses the craving for nicotine...Many have found this successful...but like any other addiction YOU need to make the conscious decision that you don't want or need to smoke anymore...

 

[HyperBudgie]

It must be remembered however that there are social and environmental factors as well. Someone may not be genetically predisposed (they have a 'normal' genetic makeup) and still become addicted due to social and environmental factors.



Genetic predisposition should not be used as a way of enforcing a self-limiting belief (I'm born this way and have no choice), or a way of avoiding responsibility (no point in trying to recover).
Of course this research into genetic predisposition could have profound implications for the methods and understanding of rehabilitation.

Very true...There is always choice...

 

[Aeron]

I think about 99% of those diagnosed with bipolar use the insane meds to create some stability in their life. No depression but no manic frenzy either.

The rest become Beethovens.

 

[HyperBudgie]

I think about 99% of those diagnosed with bipolar use the insane meds to create some stability in their life. No depression but no manic frenzy either.

The rest become Beethovens.

????HUH???? You lost me....

 

[Aeron]

If you can fight the dark side of bipolar without meds, you might just become legend, if you feel so inclined.

en.wikipedia.org/.../List_of_people_affected_by_bipolar_disorder

 

[HyperBudgie]

Prescription drugs addiction

Being addicted to over the counter meds such as pain meds (adcodol, napacod)...These readilly available drugs contain Codeine which is an opiate and part of the heroin family...People become addicted to these quite easily and the long term affects can be quite hectic.
people hear "addiction" and they thing Cocain, Crack, Heroin etc...
But what about the drugs your doctors prescribe?
it's so easy to get high legally...Just go to your nearest Medicross, see a doctor and complain about severe anxiety and panic attacks...Instantly you have a script for the very cheap Benzos (Valiam [AKA PAX), Alzam, Serapax etc...) These drugs work on the central nervous system and when taken in high doses cause a feeling of euphoria that is simillar but not as intense as that caused by heroin...Doctors often give 6 month repeat scripts and before you know it you can't live without them!

The withdrawals off of these benzos are quite nasty...At least a week of depression, cold sweats, anxiety, nausea and panic...

Beware the GPs choice!!!

 

[HyperBudgie]

If you can fight the dark side of bipolar without meds, you might just become legend, if you feel so inclined.

en.wikipedia.org/.../List_of_people_affected_by_bipolar_disorder

I won't be so arrogant as to try....Most legends become legends post-mortem...

 

[Dolby]

Bipolar man ... you reckon one can be bipolar and a sociopath?

I've read a few things online they say yes - but logically I understand bipolar have too many feelings/emotinos (albeit up, down, uncontrolable) while a sociopath has none?

How is it possible?