Drugs are Bad
Repeated use of this drug disrupts the brain's dopamine system, which will reduce a person's ability to feel pleasure from normal everyday activities. When it wears off, the user can feel tired or sad for days.
What is Cocaine.
This is a primary, chronic, neurobiologic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestation.
What is addiction.
This is the most abused substance. Over half of all American families can trace some abuse of this drug, with 6% of the entire adult population, having abuse disorder related to it. 88,000 US citizens die each year from causes related to this drug.
What is alcohol.
He has enjoyed much success throughout his music career, but fell victim to addiction and even overdosed on prescription pills in 2007. He has stated that he even had an ulcer as a result. He got help and used running as a tool to get back in shape and redirect his compulsion. He is now healthy and celebrates close to 14 years of sobriety.
Who is Eminem.
This is a movie about an airline pilot named ‘Whip’ who is initially lauded as a hero for preventing his aircraft from crashing. However, it then becomes apparent he was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine while in control of the plane.
What is Flight.
Using this drug, over a long period of time, chages the physical structure and physiology of the brain, creating long term inbalances in neuronal and hormonal systems that are not easily reversed. Studies have shown some deterioration of the brain's white matter due to use, which effects decision making abilities and ability to regulate behavior.
What is heroin.
The specific efforts, both behavioral & psychological, utilized to master, tolerate, reduce, or minimize the effects of stressful events.
Two general examples are distinguished as:
What are coping strategies (or coping skills)
This is the average age, a person is, when they first use drugs or alcohol.
What is 13.
This actor has become an A-list celebrity, over the years, and has been a staple in Hollywood. He had to rely on his past experience with addiction to play a role, recently, to round out his character's performance. Similar to his character, his personal battle with alcoholism, nearly ended in suicide. But he sought help and is enjoying continued success.
Who is Bradley Cooper.
This film focuses on a high-flying newspaper columnist with an alcohol use disorder, who ends up in rehab after crashing her car. The movie depicts the lives of the main character and other patients in the rehab center, showing how many can make a total recovery while others struggle with the harsh reality of the world around them.
What is 28 Days.
Medical experts say, that ongoing use of this drug can be linked to damage to the brain and nervous system, changes in memory, and a higher risk for blood vessel problems affecting the brain. Other long term effects can include trouble sleeping, poor appetite, trouble concentrating, impulsive behavior, depression and heart disease.
What is MDMA (aka molly or ecstasy)
A powerful & strong psychological desire to consume a substance or engage in an activity; a symptom of the abnormal brain adaptions (neuroadaptations) that result from addiction. The brain becomes accustomed to the presence of a substance, which when absent, produces a manifest psychological desire to obtain and consume it.
What is a craving.
While rightly vilified today, this drug was once not only legal but marketed as non-addictive. It was launched by Bayer in 1898 as a cough suppressant and a safe substitute for morphine.
What is heroin.
This Academy Award winning actor has been open about his issues with alcohol. He went to rehab for the first time in 2001 and has called addiction “a lifelong and difficult struggle.” Following a stay at a treatment center in 2018, he said on social media, “If you have a problem, getting help is a sign of courage, not weakness or failure.”
Who is Ben Affleck.
This movie tells the story of a mother and son as the son navigates his recovery journey. It sheds light on how the whole family is affected by a person's addiction.
What is Ben is Back.
Using too much of this drug, can lead to issues with several organs:
Brain- It can interfere with brain pathways, effecting mood and behavior.
Heart- can lead to stroke, high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmias.
Liver- several diseases of the liver associated with this drug
Cancer- several cancers also tied to this drug.
What is alcohol.
The nickname for the basic foundational text of the mutual-help organization, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It outlines the 12 steps that are at the core of the Alcoholics Anonymous program, as well as containing personal stories of alcohol addiction and recovery.
What is the Big Book.
While Americans make up just 5% of the global population, US citizens consume fully 80% of the world’s supply of this.
What is prescription pills.
The staggering statistic is in large part due to the way doctors continue to prescribe opioids for treating chronic or acute pain.
This actress didn’t keep it a secret that she was a bit of a wild child before marrying her now ex husband. She confessed that she tried every drug that was available out there. This included cocaine, heroin, LSD, MDMA, Ecstasy, and other drugs. While engaged, there was a video, from the 1990's, of her, just after using heroin in an alley. She has since given up using drugs, and now lives a healthy lifestyle.
Who is Angelina Jolie.
This movie is the true story of J.D. Vance, who tells his version of the American Dream. Born into a life of poverty, violence, and substance abuse in a rural town, he tells the story of how he managed to escape the cycle.
What is Hillbilly Elegy.
This drug can have negative, long lasting effects in several areas of health.
Brain- can cause permanent IQ loss, which is never regained. Especially when drug is taken at a young age.
Mental health- several links to depression, anxiety, suicide and psychotic episodes.
People who use this drug frequently also are more likely to have relationship problems, worse educational outcomes, lower career achievement, and reduced life satisfaction.
What is marijuana.
The ability to be present in the here and now, in order to target depression, stress, negative emotions, and cravings in the prevention of relapse for individuals with addiction. It is often combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy.
What is mindfulness.
This is the intoxicating ingredient in alcohol.
Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol. Which is produced from fermented yeast, sugars, and starches from a varity of grains, fruits, vegetables and plants.
Your liver can metabolize ethanol when consumed in moderate amounts. However, when too much overwhelms your liver, the excess alcohol circulates through all the organs in your body, including your brain. Which is what makes you intoxicated.
After a night of heavy drinking on Halloween, this usually glamorous singer, woke up that morning feeling determined to never pick up another drink again. She has since said, "I have made nice with the fears and I have accepted the parts of my life that are just sad. I am wildly honest and comfortably open. I am free”. This mother of three has marked over 4 years of sobriety.
Who is Jessica Simpson.
This movie tells the story of Lois Wilson, who was married to Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson. Lois Wilson founded Al-Anon/Alateen in 1951 in order to support family members of people living with alcoholism.
What is "When Love is not Enough"