Battling Drug Abuse and Overdose

The topic of drugs and the brain is extremely interesting. I have really enjoyed learning about how these topics are related and applying this knowledge to the real world. As I’ve thought about drugs and how they affect the brain I have learned the incredible effects drugs can have in curing disease, but also the devastating effects of drug abuse. The topic of drug abuse is especially relevant right now. Since 1999 drug overdose has been on the rise. Particularly the overdose of synthetic opioids has increased dramatically. Although everyone has a choice whether they use or misuse a drug, there are factors that increase the likelihood someone abuses drugs. These include genetics and family history, parental attitudes and behavior, substance use in high school, positive expectations, mental health problems, and sorority and fraternity membership.      

The topic of drug abuse is a major issue in the state of Utah. Utah has ranked the top ten in the nation over the last ten years in drug overdose deaths. The deaths from drug overdose outpaced deaths due to firearms fall, and motor vehicle crashes. In 2017 there were 650 deaths in Utah due to drug overdose with 63,632 deaths from a drug overdose in the United States. I think this is very depressing to think about and more can be done to prevent these deaths. For one, I think simply educating the population more on drug abuse starting at a young age would help.

    Simply knowing how drugs affect the body, specifically, the brain is powerful knowledge that could save a life. In the TED video, "Effects of drugs on mind and body," it stated that most of the population doesn’t know how drugs actually affect the body. They just know that if they take a certain pill then it can magically make them feel better. Where in reality drugs are literally causing changes in the brain between synapses. The PowerPoint slide talked about reward circuity. Understanding that immediate drug use increases dopamine, overtime brain production of dopamine is reduced, the brain becomes “fooled” that the drug has survival value, and then craving for the drug occurs, eventually leading to dependence. Just having this simple knowledge is enough to prevent someone from ever trying a drug. Understanding that drugs can take away your freedom is scary to think about.

     Another piece of knowledge that I believe is very powerful is the Gateway Drug Theory. The theory states that substances which may not themselves be addictive can lead to the use of other addictive drugs. These habit-forming drugs include alcohol, marijuana, and prescription medications. The National Institute of Drug abuse reported a study that linked marijuana use to an increased likelihood of developing an alcohol use disorder. Marijuana use was also linked to other substance abuse disorders including nicotine addiction. The NIH also talked about a study where rodents were exposed to cannabinoids early in their lives. This exposure decreased the reactivity of brain dopamine centers later in adulthood. This could explain why humans are more vulnerable to becoming addicted to other substances later in life. Also, the use of THC early in life can “prime” the brain for enhanced responses to other drugs. The “priming” of the brain is not unique to just marijuana but is also seen with alcohol and nicotine. These substances are typically used before a person progresses to more harmful substances. Again, this is valuable knowledge which most of the population probably doesn’t know. The use of alcohol, nicotine, or marijuana may seem harmless and completely controllable, but the data says these substances can lead to the use of other, much more harmful substances.

Educating the population on not only the dangers of drug abuse but how many other commonly used substances can actually “prime” the brain to form much worse habits is vital. Going along with the environmental factors which can increase an individual’s likelihood to abuse drugs, is the “brain” and “mind” theory. The Mind, Brain, and Personality Disorders paper looked at how the terms “mind” and “brain” are used separately when discussing personality disorders. Although in reality the terms “genes,” “brain,” and “biological” should not be separate from terms like “environment,” “mind,” and “psychosocial.” Genes and environment are intricately connected since the environment can affect personality disorders and psychosocial experiences can result in permanent changes in the brain. Also, psychotherapy may have an effect of altering brain function and structure. The study concluded that severe personality disorders are better understood when patients are treated without the separation of brain and mind. The paper states that genes and environment are connected as experiences can shut down the transcriptional function of some genes and can turn on others. Also, psychosocial stressors can have major effects on brain function. The paper then proposed that “theory of mind” is a useful bridge between the two elements in the treatment of personality disorders as it emphasizes the role that psychotherapy can play in creating a sense of mind in the patient. A “Theory of mind involves being able to recognize that someone else has a different mind from one’s own.” It is being able to recognize your own feelings and others in the form of beliefs, feelings, and motivations.

     I think the topics of drug abuse and brain disorders are intricately related. How an individual grows up and the environment they are in can cause changes in the circuitry of the brain. Well supporting evidence suggests that the addiction process involves a three-stage cycle. The cycle can become more severe the longer a person continues to use substances as it produces major changes in brain function and an individual’s ability for self-control. Studies have also shown how adolescence is a very critical period for brain development. All addictive drugs including alcohol and marijuana can have harmful effects on the adolescent brain. Not only does various substances such as alcohol and marijuana prep the brain for more substance abuse but also who an individual associates with. People that are in an environment with alcohol and drugs are more likely to engage in that behavior too. Other influences include parental influence, cultural norms, media, and learned physical associations.

In conclusion, there are many factors that can contribute to drug abuse. When discussing the brain and mind it is also vital to discuss an individual’s environment. The increasing knowledge of how the environment affects the brain is ongoing research. I believe that understanding the basic concepts of how drugs affect the brain could make an incredible difference in drug abuse and overdose.

Works Cited  

    Gabbard, G. O. (2005). Mind, Brain, and Personality Disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry.

Keane, H. (2018). Facing addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL Washington, DC, USA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016 382 pp. online (gre. Drug and Alcohol Review, 37(2), 282-283. doi:10.1111/dar.12578

 NIDA. 2020, April 8. Is marijuana a gateway drug?. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/marijuana-gateway-drug on 2020, October 31

NIDA. 2020, April 3. Utah: Opioid-Involved Deaths and Related Harms. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-summaries-by-state/utah-opioid-involved-deaths-related-harms on 2020, October 31

 Stats of the State of Utah. (2018, April 09). Retrieved October 31, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/utah/utah.htm

Squeglia LM, Jacobus J, Tapert SF. The influence of substance use on adolescent brain development. Clin EEG Neurosci. 2009;40(1):31-38. doi:10.1177/155005940904000110