Students studied addiction after listening to Dr. De Noble and reading the articles in class. Their assignment was to complete a report about addiction. They could choose to write about how addiction affects our society, families, how specific drugs affect those who use them, or how addiction is treated. Students had to use three sources to support their information –online resources, magazines or interviews for their project. Here are quotes of their work.
Addiction
April 7th, 2008 · 1 Comment
Health
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Patti P.
// Apr 7, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Student quotes as follows:
Tim W.
The American Psychiatric Association says that addiction is a disorder that has three main characteristics: a need to seek and use the drug, extreme use due to tolerance, and a depressed mental state when not using the drug. The brain’s activity is altered by the drug. Cocaine is one of many drugs that can cause this type of addiction. Cocaine is a drug in the “stimulant family”. It speeds up your heart rate and you get “pumped” so to speak. It lasts any where from 15 to 30 minutes at the most. It is a white powdery substance that can be smoked, injected, eaten, or inhaled. Most users inhale the drug by snorting it through their nasal cavity. Cocaine is extremely addictive and should never be used by anyone.
If you interviewed a doctor he would tell you that cocaine acts on the mesoaccumbens dopamine pathway of the midbrain, extending from the ventral tegumental area to the nucleus accumbens. This part of the brain is known to us more commonly as the “HELL YEAH!” section which tells you if something feels good…
Tabitha L.
An addiction (to anything) is caused by using a substance or doing a behavior that stimulates the brain’s “dopamine loop”. When the dopamine loop is stimulated the brain can be come addicted to whatever has stimulated it. Then the person will seek situations to act out or to take a substance to get the feelings that the dopamine loop gives them. Unfortunately they will take risks that are dangerous and unhealthy. They may even risk their own life with dangerous people or situations…
Desiree L.
…In some cases bodily damage can be serious and may lead to death. Cocaine-related deaths may be the result of a cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest. People who are just beginning cocaine use may work long hours and increase their productivity and may believe they have increased their creativity. This is not the real situation, and after using cocaine users will discover they become exhausted by lack of sleep and begin to display erratic and violent behavior. Cocaine is a highly addictive drug and in leads to enormous medical complications…
Yesenia C.
…Addiction is a very complex subject. When a person has an addiction, they spend so much time thinking about the addiction, that their mental growth becomes retarded and their relationships suffer.
David O.
…The use of marijuana can change how your brain works. It contains THC, this is the main active chemical that makes you high or intoxicated. It also contains more than 400 chemicals when it is burned, some of those chemicals are carcinogenic or cancer causing. The THC stays in your fatty tissues in various organs and depending upon how much the user smokes it may stay in the body for several weeks.
Alan B.
Addiction could be the longest “ride” you will ever get on. To some people, addiction is not looked at a serious problem. They rather see it as a habit they don’t want to give up, because they enjoy the addiction. If addiction is either neglected or treated, it can make the difference in the lives of the addict and the loved ones of the addict. In my report I will discuss the addiction of alcohol and the consequences it may have in the future…
Maurisha H.
…What I learned about addiction and it affects on society is: that 39% of the population surveyed reported using one or more illicit substances in their lifetime and 20% of the population surveyed older than 18 continues to have problems arising from addiction…
…Dr. Hans Breirer of Massachusetts General Hospital examined patients with a functional magnetic resonance imaging device (FMRI) and found that brain regions that react when individuals play games of chance are the same regions that react when cocaine addicts use cocaine. This leads him to the conclusion, that this ( brain stimulation) is why some people become addicted to gambling or other behavioral addictions…
Cameron D.
…The drug has become more popular among persons 18 years and younger. Law enforcement officials have caught teens as young as 14 years of age using and selling the drug. In all forms, the drug stimulates the central nervous system, the effects last anywhere from four to 24 hours. Methamphetamine use can not only modify behavior in this state, but after taking it for a long time the drug literally changes the brain in fundamental and long lasting ways. It kills by causing heart failure, brain damage, and stroke, and it also induces extreme psychological symptoms that have lead to suicide or murder…
Lauren K.
…Our society is affected by this horrible drug called “meth”. It has affected our society by disturbing the minds of our teens. Under the influence of this powerful drug they may start to believe things that are not true. Many of them suffer from paranoia, and live in fear. Others will lie, cheat and steal to support their habit. This drug makes the worst in people come out…
Kameka C.
…Many women who use meth during pregnancy affect their unborn babies. Babies exposed to meth before birth have birth defects like “failure to thrive”, behavioral disorders, ADHD, learning problems, and heart defects. Having a baby is a life time commitment and you should not do anything that would harm you child. You should think about the consequences before you do it!
Marissa V.
…Human neurotransmitters are chemical substances that are produced within nerve cells and used to communicate between neurons and brain cells. They are used for purposes such as sending messages, and to influence and regulate our thinking systems and other bodily functions…
Diana H.
…There are many reasons why people use methamphetamine even though it is an illegal drug. Some people foolishly believe it will increase mental and physical performance. Blue collar and service workers have been known to use it to be able to work extra shifts.
Because when using meth you lose your appetite young women have been known to use meth as a diet aid. In my report I will be discussing how harmful and dangerous meth is. It is not only dangerous to your health it is also addicting.
Jonathan O.
Ecstasy is a powerful mind-altering drug. MDMA or ecstasy is a synthetic drug with amphetamine and hallucinogenic properties. It causes hallucinations, but is classified as a stimulant. Ecstasy can be addictive and it is a drug that has ruined peoples lives and their brains…
David J.
…Marijuana has different side effects, these may include: your heart rate increases, reduced blood pressure, loss of coordination, problems with memory and learning, perception may become distorted. Pregnant women should know that THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana crosses the placenta and the unborn baby is exposed to the drug if the mother takes it. THC also affects the immune system and if your immune system is affected good luck if your body needs to fight off an illness…
Demarcus M.
…Discomforts associated with smoking marijuana include: dry mouth, dry eyes, increased heart rate, visible signs of intoxication such as blood-shot eyes, puffy eyelids, impaired memory and impaired ability to learn, difficulty thinking and problem-solving, anxiety attacks, feelings of paranoia, impaired muscle coordination, impaired judgment, increased susceptibility to infections.
Emmanuel R.
…This problem was first brought to light when Barry Bonds was indicted for perjury. Barry alleged that is “drug of choice” was not a body enhancer, but the love of the sport itself…
Lakiah C.
…Sex addicts are usually ashamed and feel guilty for their behavior. People with this addiction usually don’t know when it started or even how it started but most are escaping feelings like stress, loneliness, boredom, and anger…
Hailey A.
A drug is addictive if it affects your brain’s dopamine loop. Dopamine is a compound of chemicals and hormones that make you feel good. Dopamine is difficult for your body to produce so your body recycles it. Some drugs like ecstasy, use up your dopamine and others shut down your brain’s dopamine production centers…
Kimeya Daigre
…Does “rehab” really work or help you to “clean up”? The success of rehab depends not only on choosing the right program, but the individual’s desire to want to stop their bad habits and the support of their family and friends as well…
Yee V.
..People who have used marijuana and become addicted to it find that they will become angry and irritated easily when sober. They may also have trouble sleeping when they are not using the drug. Amotivational syndrome is another result of marijuana use, what this means is basically you become lazy and never put your good ideas into action…
Bianca Z.
…Alcohol is a depressant drug. People often drink alcohol because of their emotions. In our body there is not a cell that is resistant to alcohol. The first place it goes is to your stomach, and then it goes straight into your blood stream. Once in the blood stream it makes a quick trip to your brain.
Jordan M.
…It is strange that this drug has the reputation for being a social drug or a party drug because the parts of the brain it damages the most is the prefrontal lobes. This part of the brain is the part with that we learn to read social and visual cues, it also is the part of your brain that develops the use of judgment and is where you begin to understand the result or consequences of your actions…
Toni D.
…Playing video games too much can become an addiction, it is unhealthy. Too much time spent in front of the TV or video monitor ruins your train of thought and affects your brain. Some players use the game as an escape from real life problems, depression, or anxiety…
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