Respond to at least two colleagues from the role of the audience (the client’s mother):
- Provide two or three examples of points you understood and were clearly explained, and two points that were more difficult to understand.
- Ask a question inspired by the talk.
1-cetrice- I understand that you're feeling frustrated and maybe
even helpless right now. As a parent, it's hard to
watch your child struggle with addiction and wonder why they just can't stop using opioids. I want to help explain
what's happening in the brain and why it's not
as simple as just stopping. Opioid use disorder is not about lack of
willpower and discipline. It's a medical condition
that affects the brain. When someone uses opioids, these drugs bind to a
certain receptor in the brain that are a part of
our natural reward system. The immediate result is a powerful feeling of
pleasure and euphoria. Over time, the brain
becomes dependent on the drug to feel the sense
of reward of pleasure. The problem is the brain get used to the drug being there, and over time, it starts to need ovoid just to
function normally. Kind of this kind of dependency
is not just physical. It's also psychological. When someone tries to stop, they often experience
intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These can include anxiety, depression, nausea, and
even physical pain. The brain has rewired
itself in such a way that it's not simply a
controlling urges anymore. It's like a switch
has been flipped and their body and mind are telling them that they
need the drug to sell okay. When someone with opioid use, tries to quit, it's
not just a matter of saying no or trying harder. The brain chemistry has changed and that makes it
incredibly hard to simply stop, even
when they want to. It's like trying to flip turn off a switch that's
been on for a long time. But I want to stress that
addiction is treatable and recovery isn't just about
stopping cold turkey. It's about adjusting
the changes in the brain and getting
the right support. This also includes
medication to help manage cravings and withdrawal, therapy to adjust the
psychological aspect of addiction and a strong support
system to encourage the person throughout
the recovery process. I know it's difficult, but
your child needs time, support, and understanding while they're on the road to recovery. Because it might not be as quick or easy without the right help, but with it, it is
absolutely possible. I know you're doing
the best that you can, and you being here
today shows that you care and your commitment to
your child's well being. We're all working
together towards a brighter and healthier
future for them.
2-tricia-Good morning, misses X. Thank you for taking the
time to speak with me today. I understand you have
a lot of questions, and I'm going to do my best
to try and answer them all. People often use substances
to self medicate, to treat mood disorders or
mask symptoms of trauma. Using opioids or illicit
substances provides users with a temporary high
or feeling of happiness. Unless the underlying cause of the substance is dealt with, it will be difficult for
the user to quit opioids. Techniques such as cognitive behavioral
therapy can be used to help the client deal with underlying problems in a
constructive and lasting way. You had asked, Why
can't X just stop? This is understandably
a valid question. However, I want to share
that just stopping, it isn't a choice a person can simply make when it
comes to opioids. This is because
neuronal pathways in the brain are changed
with substance use. Those who are
addicted to opioids have structural and
functional brain damages. Brain changes, thus making it
almost impossible to stop. Opioids profoundly affect
the centers of motivation, reward, memory, and attention. They temporarily stimulate
reward centers of the brain, leading to the production of endorphins and
dopamine in the brain, which are chemicals that make people feel happy
or even euphoric. By creating this reward
for using opioids, addiction is formed further perpetuated with
continued opioid use. Without modifying the pathways and reward systems of the brain, the cycle of addiction
cannot be broken. Further, increasing
amounts of drugs are required to achieve the
same level of euphoria, leading to escalation of use, both in dosage and frequency. So thus, by changing the anatomy and
circatory of the brain, drugs rewire the brain such that the only reward it perceives is that
provided by the drug, and other things that normally provide pleasures
such as relationship, sex, and food no longer
have that same effect. For a person to
stop using drugs, it takes a multi
pronged approach with education, medication
and therapy. There will definitely
be some challenges, and I hope I was able
to provide you with a slightly better understanding
of the situation. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank
you for coming in.