Counseling and Physiology Class: Neurobiology of Addiction (or, A Good Thing Gone Bad)
In the first chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s textbook on addictions, Alan Leshner says this: “The brain of someone addicted to drugs is a changed brain; it is qualitatively different from that of a normal person in fundamental ways, including gene expression, glucose [sugar] utilization, and responsiveness to environmental cues.”
As an extension and application of the material on psychiatry, we recently covered the topic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in class. People with this struggle find that they have persistent and intrusive, anxiety-producing thoughts (obsessions) that are usually (but not always) associated with behaviors/rituals (compulsions) that lessen the anxiety.
Counseling and Physiology Class: Psychoactive Drugs…continued
This past Monday we concluded our discussion of psychoactive medications. As I’ve thought about when it’s appropriate or not appropriate to use psychiatric medications, I’ve concluded the following: It depends. (How’s that for a definitive answer?!) In other words, the use or non-use of these medications is a wisdom issue, and depends on many different factors in the life of the individual I am counseling. The decision has to be contextualized to the person at hand and involves knowing their story and the contours of their struggle intimately enough to bring wise counsel that addresses the person holistically, body and spirit.
Counseling and Physiology Class: Psychoactive Drugs
This week, I gave the first of two lectures on the nature and use of psychoactive medications. I began the class with an exercise that pushes students to wrestle with their presuppositions regarding the use of psychiatric medications. I asked the question, “To which of the following people would you strongly consider giving medications to, or at least refer to a physician for consideration of that option?”
Counseling and Physiology Class: Asperger Syndrome
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Fairly straightforward command— right? But consider this question: do we all have the same baseline ability to obey this command? Might there be individual differences among us that make this command either easier or more challenging to carry out?
How is the brain affected and changed by drug use? This elective will examine the physical impact of addiction on the brain, and will discuss the counseling implications for those seeking to help addicts.
