Learning to choose wisely Workshop highlights drug abuse facing Mineral County

Addiction comes in many different forms, there are drug and alcohol addicts, sex addicts, gambling addictions. People can even become addicted to seemingly harmless things like caffeine, sugar, shopping and video games. Whenever an activity threatens the things people value like family, friends, their health, career, job and home­­—the problem is easy to locate, but the solution still hasn't been found.

NATURE VS. NURTURE?

This was the topic at a recent “Responsible Choices Town Meeting on Under-Aged Drinking and Using” held by Choices for Change Counseling in Superior. Nancy M. Smith, LCSW, LAC, MHP, runs the agency and held the workshop for individuals to learn more about addiction, the aftermath, and what can be done to deal with it.

“Alcohol is a drug and when we talk about drugs, we are including alcohol. Anything that is a mood-altering chemical,” said Smith who is a counselor for the ACT course, “PRIME for Life”. This is a state-approved program for individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The course is evidence-based where treatment has been proven to work over time.

“New research is coming out all the time,” said Smith about the program which is effective in changing high-risk attitudes, beliefs, risk perceptions and behaviors.

“Good intentions aren't enough to stop addiction,” she explained, “you need to understand how it affects the brain. People ‘use' to feel better and get their high, which is then followed by a low. As time goes on, it takes more drugs to feel good. This is “seeking the high” and an addict needs more and more to feel good. While the lows get lower.”

CONSEQUENCES HAPPEN

Using drugs eventually results in lost jobs, poor grades, family problems, problems with the law. The addict begins to ‘use' just to feel normal and the drugs take over. They begin to seek out short-term gratification, which has negative long-term consequences. As time goes on, they become obsessed with it, are compulsive about it, and lose control.

Smith also explained how addicts have different brain chemistry than non-addictive people. If there is a family history of abuse, then that person is “pre-disposed” to addiction. Another sign of an addictive personality is, if someone has a high tolerance for drugs or alcohol, or an especially strong sense of pleasure from using.

She compared drug addiction to a hole in your soul. Where it's like a pendulum swinging back and forth between pain and joy. A person who uses drugs may cover up the pain temporarily, but they never actually deal with the pain. While they are trying to stop the pain, they are also stopping the joy in their life and the pain gets worse.

ADDICTED TO DESIRE

One thing recovering addicts often don't realize is the onset of a post addictive withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This can occur approximately every six months and the addict may not feel normal, or feel out of balance. It's a normal part of recovery and Smith said being aware of that and using different methods can help a person prepare for these feelings and prevent a relapse. “It can happen in the first six months, or after a year,” she said, “people may even relapse after five, ten, twenty or more years.” This disease is for a lifetime and can be in remission, but never is cured.

Journaling, having someone to talk to, asking for help, being aware, are some methods which can help, and addicts should learn to read the signs and find ways to prepare for a possible relapse.

Leann Anderson, MA, LAC, also a licensed addiction counselor, talked about how brain chemistry changes when people use drugs. The brain isn't fully developed until between the ages of 20 to 25. When people use drugs or drink, they are actually changing their brain chemistry. For example, when teens drink, they often do so to get drunk. Every time they get drunk, their body is adapting to the substance and pushing them toward addiction. As time goes on, it causes a deterioration of the mind and body. This affects their mood, they have less control over their behavior, their activities are centered more toward drinking, they are less active, forgetful, and become more isolated.

Anderson explained the power of addiction on the brain. The brain reacts with dopamine and is measured in micrograms. For example, if you are thirsty and want a glass of water, the brain is using 10 micrograms of dopamine to satisfy your thirst. One of the highest triggers for dopamine is an orgasm which contains 100 micrograms. When an addict uses meth, it produces approximately 1,000 micrograms of dopamine. The brain then is wired to want that rush again and can only achieve it with more drugs, “it turns into an internal battle between the logic of saying “don't use” against a primal urge saying “use”,” she said.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF STORY

Another portion of the workshop included three guest speakers. Nancy Huus, LCSW, CMHP, from Hamilton, and two former Superior students, Tim Ruthford and Mindy Bass. All three spoke from their personal experiences with drugs, alcohol and addiction, starting with under-aged drinking and using for fun. They then described the path determined by their high-risk choices, culminating in a pattern of negative consequences which included prison and loss of family. After years of abuse, they are now in recovery and getting to a point they are getting healthy and on the right track. In many instances, the problems stem from family issues. Particularly when drugs and alcohol are present in the home and children are exposed to it at a young age.

Smith said some kids as young as 10 - 13 are drinking, smoking marijuana and meth, using pills, shooting heroin, sometimes in a company of a parent, resulting in becoming addicted before they are even of legal age to drink. Mineral County has a severe problem with drinking and using starting at a young age she said.

“I'm passionate about what I do,” Smith said, who became a licensed addiction counselor in 1993. She has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2003, which means she works with both addiction and mental health, of all ages. She has been in private practice in Superior since 2004. Her goal is to continue to reach out to Mineral County Communities and increase awareness and education about addiction, prevention and cures.