Counselor Toolbox Podcast

Objectives  Define Internet and Gaming Addiction  Explore the metamorphosis of internet use and video games into addictive behaviors. CEs available at: https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/500/c/ ~Why I Care/How It Impacts Recovery  The internet provides an immense amount of information, although not all credible.  Constant novelty of the internet can serve as an escape  Video games, online gambling, online shopping and pornography all have the potential to become problematic  Social media also has an addictive quality that can cause withdrawal and exacerbate mood disorders and/or addictions ~Symptoms  Downplaying and defensiveness about how much time you spend playing computer or video games  Lack of control: Spending more and more time playing video or computer games to get the same enjoyment  Withdrawing from friends, family, or your spouse to the point of disrupting family, social, or work life  Experiencing feelings of anger, depression, moodiness, anxiety, or restlessness when you’re not gaming  Spending significant sums of money for online services, computer upgrades, or gaming systems  Preoccupation: Thinking obsessively about being on the computer or playing video games even when doing other things ~Consequences  Physical  Carpal Tunnel  Migraines  Sleep Disturbances Insufficient sleep Circadian rhythm disruption  Depression/Neurotransmitter Imbalance  Backaches Social  50 percent report a strain in their marriage as a result of their addiction  Failure to develop effective face-to-face interpersonal skills  Inability or agitation “sitting still” ~What Makes a Video Game Addictive  High Score  Beating the Game  No Ending to the Game – i.e. Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs)  Role Playing  Novelty/Discovery  A good portion of World of Warcraft is spent exploring imaginary worlds, and Minecraft is spent designing new worlds  Relationships  Acceptance  A place to anonymously try out different personas.  Researchers at Hammersmith Hospital in London conducted a study in 2005 which found that dopamine levels in players' brains doubled while they were playing ~ Risk Factors  Need to escape  Poor interpersonal relationships  Easily bored  Sensation seeking/adrenaline junkies ~ Treatment  Goals  Abstinence from problematic applications/sites  Balanced internet usage  Interventions  Prevent use parental controls: Turn internet off at a certain time Firewalls Timers Look for and accentuate exceptions ~ Treatment  Interventions  Prevent use Don’t forget tablets and smart phones ~ Treatment  Interventions  Decisional Balance Benefits to use  Can help identify psychosocial issues needing attention  Can identify areas in which to target alternate rewards Drawbacks to use (Accentuate this quadrant) Benefits to abstinence (Accentuate this quadrant) Drawbacks to abstinence  Can help identify psychosocial issues needing attention  Can identify areas in which to target alternate rewards ~ Treatment  Interventions  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Distress Tolerance and Impulse Control)  Motivational Enhancement Therapy  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy  Psychoeducation  Self Esteem  Interpersonal skills  Communication  Relationship  Coping skills  Goal Setting ~Treatment  Interventions  Medications: Temporarily rebalance neurotransmitters with SSRIs (Lexapro, Welbutrin) Naltrexone (an opiate agonist) Dexmethylphenidate  Exercise Increases serotonin and dopamine Sunlight can help regulate neurotransmitters including melatonin and improve sleep and mood ~ Treatment  Interventions  Nutrition Water (dehydration can cause symptoms of depression) Oats Bananas Chicken Dairy products Green leafy veggies Almonds and walnuts ~ Apply It  Identify 3 ways you could have used this information in the past week.  What was the s

CEs available at https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/479/c/ Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP 2.  Identify the biological/health consequences of addiction on the family and community  Identify the psychological consequences of addiction on the family and community  Identify the social consequences of addiction on the family and community 3.  Children have poor relationships with adults (LEO, clergy, teachers etc)  Lack of social competence  Children lack a sense of wellbeing and safety  Distant, chaotic, unsupportive family relationships  Inconsistent parenting  Inappropriate coping models 4.  Stress and stress related illnesses  Failure to attend to children’s physical needs  Approximately half of pediatric AIDS cases result from injection drug use or sex with injection drug users by the child's mother  The full range of FASDs in the United States might number as high as 2%  Cocaine exposed children often require special education estimated at $23million annually 5.  Physical or verbal abuse  Behavior is erratic leading to “walking on eggshells”  Child neglect which can have a traumatic impact  Modeling poor coping behaviors  Don’t Talk– Don’t Trust – Don’t Feel  Shame and guilt 6.  Social Isolation  Perfect façade  Shame  Financial problems  Homelessness  Placing family in high-risk situations  Childhood trauma, depression, anxiety 7.  America's top medical problems can be directly linked to drug abuse  Tobacco contributes to 11-30% of cancer deaths.  Heart Disease is correlated with abuse of tobacco, cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), amphetamines, steroids  Bloodborne Illnesses: 1/3 of AIDS cases & most cases of hepatitis C in the United States are associated with injection drug use. 8.  National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) reports that there is a def

CEs available at https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/479/c/ Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes Executive Director, AllCEUs 2.  Examine the biological (physical) impact of addiction on the individual  Examine the psychological impact of addiction on the individual  Examine the social impact of addiction on the individual 3.  Direct ◦ Tolerance ◦ Withdrawal 4.  Basic Neurobiology ◦ Addiction  release of dopamine ◦ Drugs prevent the reuptake of dopamine  abnormally high levels in the brain  desensitization of Dopamine receptors ◦ Addictive behavior can deplete the dopamine in the presynaptic neuron 5.  Indirect ◦ Reduced Immunity ◦ Disease (Hepatitis, HIV, TB, MRSA) ◦ More rapid aging ◦ Sleep difficulties ◦ Nutritional deficits 6.  Direct ◦ Euphoria/Relaxation ◦ Depression/ Lack of pleasure  Insufficient dopamine  Serotonin Imbalance ◦ Anxiety  As serotonin goes down, acetylcholine goes up 7.  Indirect ◦ Depression and/or anxiety due to:  Lack of sleep  Malnutrition  Guilt  Being overwhelmed by the mess  Initial “pain” still there 8.  Isolation  Loss of supportive, healthy relationships ◦ Pushed away ◦ Chose to leave  New friends share same dysfunctional thinking ◦ Stinkin’ Thinkin’: Minimization, rationalization, blaming ◦ Cognitive Distortions 9.  Someone who has become physiologically less able to experience happiness or pleasure  Leading to a desire to find that feeling (addiction)  And keep that feeling (protect the addiction at all costs) 10.  Author of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction 11.  Addiction has both direct and indirect consequences for the person ◦ Biologically/Physically ◦ Psychologically ◦ Interpersonally 12.  All aspects of the person in recovery must be addressed. ◦ It is hard to change your thinking when you don’t feel well ◦ It is hard to change physical habits when you are depressed and unmotivated ◦ It is hard to change thinking or health habits without social support (one of our greatest stress buffers) 13.  If you have watched and participated in this program for CEUs, login to the classroom at AllCEUs.com and take the quiz.  If you have watched and participated in this presentation, and want CEUs, but have not yet registered, purchase access to the quiz and certificate at: https://www.allceus.com/live- interactive-webinars/ 14.  This presentation was recorded as part of a live, interactive webinar. If you are watching it on replay, please remember you can contact her on her personal chat page: https://purechat.me/cuetvx AllCEUs.com Unlimited Online CEUs $59 | Interactive Webinars $5

CEs for this presentation can be earned at https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/486/c/ Mental Health and Addiction issues often go hand-in-hand.  Effective recovery involves not only minimizing risk factors, but also enhancing protective factors within the individual and the individual's family, work, and community environment.  This episode focuses on protective factors or things that can be enhanced in each area in order to prevent problems with depression, anxiety and/or addiction.

Continuing Education (CE) credits can be earned for this presentation at  https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/486/c/ Mental Health and Addiction issues often go hand-in-hand.  Effective recovery involves not only minimizing risk factors, but also enhancing protective factors within the individual and the individual's family, work, and community environment.  This episode focuses on risk factors or things that can be eliminated/minimized/addressed in each area in order to prevent problems with depression, anxiety and/or addiction. Define Risk factors Identify Risk factors for addiction and mental health issues in the following domains Individual Peer Family Work/School Community Discuss similarities and differences between risk factors for each disorder   Unlimited Counseling CEUs for $59 https://www.allceus.com/ Specialty Certificate tracks starting at $89 https://www.allceus.com/certificate-tracks/ Live Webinars $5/hour https://www.allceus.com/live-interactive-webinars/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CounselorToolbox  Help us keep the videos free for everyone to learn by becoming a patron. Pinterest: drsnipes Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/allceuseducation Podcast: Counselor Toolbox available in iTunes, Google Music, Stitcher and many more. Nurses, addiction and mental health counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists can earn continuing education credits (CEs) for this and other course at http://allceus.com View the New Harbinger Catalog and get your 25% discount on their products by entering coupon code: 1168SNIPES at check out  

CEs available at https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/491/c/ Relapse prevention is similar across most populations, but there are some unique issues and challenges facing people in recovery who have a criminal record.  Learn how to identify and address these issues. In this episode, we will: Define relapse in terms of addiction as well as mental health Examine relapse prevention techniques Explore the unique psychological, interpersonal, and biological needs of the addicted offender   Unlimited Counseling CEUs for $59 https://www.allceus.com/ Specialty Certificate tracks starting at $89 https://www.allceus.com/certificate-tracks/ Live Webinars $5/hour https://www.allceus.com/live-interactive-webinars/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CounselorToolbox Help us keep the videos free for everyone to learn by becoming a patron. Pinterest: drsnipes https://www.youtube.com/user/allceuseducation Nurses, addiction and mental health counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists can earn continuing education credits (CEs) for this and other course at: http://allceus.com View the New Harbinger Catalog and get your 25% discount on their products by entering coupon code: 1168SNIPES at check out  

Why do some people commit crimes repeatedly?  Why does it feel like a revolving door for some people?  Get answers to these questions and more in this presentation.  Examine the parallels between addiction and criminal behavior.  In this episode we will:   Discuss benefits to both  Identify drawbacks to both  Describe what an effective, comprehensive re-integration model would look like. CEs available at: https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/484/c/ Full text at: https://www.slideshare.net/DrSnipes/dynamics-of-addiction-and-criminal-behavior Unlimited Counseling CEUs for $59 https://www.allceus.com/ Specialty Certificate tracks starting at $89 https://www.allceus.com/certificate-tracks/ Live Webinars $5/hour https://www.allceus.com/live-interactive-webinars/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CounselorToolbox  Help us keep the videos free for everyone to learn by becoming a patron. Pinterest: drsnipes Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/allceuseducation Podcast: Counselor Toolbox available in iTunes, Google Music, Stitcher and many more. Nurses, addiction and mental health counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists can earn continuing education credits (CEs) for this and other course at http://allceus.com View the New Harbinger Catalog and get your 25% discount on their products by entering coupon code: 1168SNIPES at check out

Many people struggling with addictions also have mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Likewise, many people with depression or anxiety may have an addiction. We refer to this as a co-occurring disorder. Some people will try to argue that symptoms of depression and anxiety are caused by drug use, and once you are clean and sober those symptoms will go away. While this may be true for some, these symptoms that are still present in early recovery can cause a relapse. After all, how long will someone stay clean and sober if they are constantly depressed or anxious. Regardless of whether you self-medicated a mental health issue with your addiction, or your addiction caused your mental health issues, BOTH need to be addressed.   In this episode wee will: Develop a broad biopsychosocial definition of co-occurring disorders. Learn about the reciprocal interaction between mental health, physical health and addiction. Discuss the multiple contributing factors of mood disorders to include physical issues and issues stemming from addictive behaviors. Explore ways to simultaneously address multiple disorders Unlimited Counseling CEUs for $59 https://www.allceus.com/ Specialty Certificate tracks starting at $89 https://www.allceus.com/certificate-tracks/ Live Webinars $5/hour https://www.allceus.com/live-interactive-webinars/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CounselorToolbox  Help us keep the videos free for everyone to learn by becoming a patron. Pinterest: drsnipes Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/allceuseducation Podcast: Counselor Toolbox available in iTunes, Google Music, Stitcher and many more. Nurses, addiction and mental health counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists can earn continuing education credits (CEs) for this and other course at http://allceus.com View the New Harbinger Catalog and get your 25% discount on their products by entering coupon code: 1168SNIPES at check out  

Many people struggling with addictions also have mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Likewise, many people with depression or anxiety may have an addiction. We refer to this as a co-occurring disorder. Some people will try to argue that symptoms of depression and anxiety are caused by drug use, and once you are clean and sober those symptoms will go away. While this may be true for some, these symptoms that are still present in early recovery can cause a relapse. After all, how long will someone stay clean and sober if they are constantly depressed or anxious. Regardless of whether you self-medicated a mental health issue with your addiction, or your addiction caused your mental health issues, BOTH need to be addressed.   In this episode wee will: Develop a broad biopsychosocial definition of co-occurring disorders. Learn about the reciprocal interaction between mental health, physical health and addiction. Discuss the multiple contributing factors of mood disorders to include physical issues and issues stemming from addictive behaviors. Explore ways to simultaneously address multiple disorders Unlimited Counseling CEUs for $59 https://www.allceus.com/ Specialty Certificate tracks starting at $89 https://www.allceus.com/certificate-tracks/ Live Webinars $5/hour https://www.allceus.com/live-interactive-webinars/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CounselorToolbox  Help us keep the videos free for everyone to learn by becoming a patron. Pinterest: drsnipes Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/allceuseducation Podcast: Counselor Toolbox available in iTunes, Google Music, Stitcher and many more. Nurses, addiction and mental health counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists can earn continuing education credits (CEs) for this and other course at http://allceus.com View the New Harbinger Catalog and get your 25% discount on their products by entering coupon code: 1168SNIPES at check out

Many people struggling with addictions also have mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Likewise, many people with depression or anxiety may have an addiction. We refer to this as a co-occurring disorder. Some people will try to argue that symptoms of depression and anxiety are caused by drug use, and once you are clean and sober those symptoms will go away. While this may be true for some, these symptoms that are still present in early recovery can cause a relapse. After all, how long will someone stay clean and sober if they are constantly depressed or anxious. Regardless of whether you self-medicated a mental health issue with your addiction, or your addiction caused your mental health issues, BOTH need to be addressed.   In this episode wee will: Develop a broad biopsychosocial definition of co-occurring disorders. Learn about the reciprocal interaction between mental health, physical health and addiction. In this 3-part series, we will: Discuss the multiple contributing factors of mood disorders to include physical issues and issues stemming from addictive behaviors. Explore ways to simultaneously address multiple disorders Unlimited Counseling CEUs for $59 https://www.allceus.com/ Specialty Certificate tracks starting at $89 https://www.allceus.com/certificate-tracks/ Live Webinars $5/hour https://www.allceus.com/live-interactive-webinars/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CounselorToolbox  Help us keep the videos free for everyone to learn by becoming a patron. Pinterest: drsnipes Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/allceuseducation Podcast: Counselor Toolbox available in iTunes, Google Music, Stitcher and many more. Nurses, addiction and mental health counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists can earn continuing education credits (CEs) for this and other course at http://allceus.com View the New Harbinger Catalog and get your 25% discount on their products by entering coupon code: 1168SNIPES at check out

Triggers are those things that remind you of something else.  There are triggers for depression, anxiety and addiction.  In this episode we will: Define a trigger Define a craving Explore the concept of stimulus generalization Discuss the function of triggers Explore triggers in terms of mental health symptoms Explore how cravings can lead to obsessive thinking Review the stages of the recovery process Identify potential relapse triggers at each phase and appropriate interventions Full Text at: http://www.slideshare.net/DrSnipes/triggers-and-cravings-live-webinar   Unlimited Counseling CEUs for $59 https://www.allceus.com/ Specialty Certificate tracks starting at $89 https://www.allceus.com/certificate-tracks/ Live Webinars $5/hour https://www.allceus.com/live-interactive-webinars/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CounselorToolbox  Help us keep the videos free for everyone to learn by becoming a patron. Pinterest: drsnipes Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/allceuseducation Podcast: Counselor Toolbox available in iTunes, Google Music, Stitcher and many more. Nurses, addiction and mental health counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists can earn continuing education credits (CEs) for this and other course at http://allceus.com View the New Harbinger Catalog and get your 25% discount on their products by entering coupon code: 1168SNIPES at check out

Designer drugs are those that are lab created.  Thousands exist and more are being created all the time.  Unfortunately, there is no quality control or standardization process with these drugs, which are often made in back-room labs.  In this episode we will: Define designer drugs. Review the effects of some of the most common designer drugs. Learn about resources to stay up to date on designer drugs. Identify which “designer drugs” may still be legal. Discuss ways of handling “legal” drug use in your programs Full Text: http://www.slideshare.net/DrSnipes/pharmacology-of-designer-drugs Unlimited Counseling CEUs for $59 https://www.allceus.com/ Specialty Certificate tracks starting at $89 https://www.allceus.com/certificate-tracks/ Live Webinars $5/hour https://www.allceus.com/live-interactive-webinars/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CounselorToolbox  Help us keep the videos free for everyone to learn by becoming a patron. Pinterest: drsnipes Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/allceuseducation Podcast: Counselor Toolbox available in iTunes, Google Music, Stitcher and many more. Nurses, addiction and mental health counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists can earn continuing education credits (CEs) for this and other course at http://allceus.com

Continuing Education Credits are available for this presentation at https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/489/c/ Stimulants, Depressants and Hallucinogens are available by prescription, in over the counter medications and as illicit substances.  Learn more about the effects of these types of drugs, how they impact your brain chemistry and signs and symptoms of intoxication and withdrawal. Show Notes 2. In this Episode, we will: Define stimulants, depressants and hallucinogens  Discuss their ◦ Mechanism of action ◦ Symptoms of intoxication ◦ Symptoms of withdrawal ◦ Short and long term effects ◦ Common street names  Explore the process of differential diagnosis 3.  Method of administration greatly effects the intensity and duration of onset for various drugs ◦ Oral (slowest) ◦ Inhalation/Snorting ◦ Inhalation/Smoking ◦ Injection ◦ Rectal suppository ◦ Skin patches 4.  Drugs affect everyone differently, based on: ◦ Size, weight and health ◦ Whether the person is used to taking it ◦ Whether other drugs are taken concurrently ◦ The amount taken ◦ The strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch with illegally produced drugs) 5.  Stimulants are substances that act to excite the central nervous system ◦ Caffeine ◦ Amphetmines ◦ Cocaine 6.  Stimulants increase alertness, attention, and energy, as well as elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration.  Used to treat asthma and other respiratory problems, obesity, neurological disorders, ADHD, narcolepsy, and occasionally depression 7.  Stimulants enhance norepinephrine and dopamine.  Increase in dopamine can induce a feeling of euphoria when stimulants are taken nonmedically.  Norepinepherine also increases blood pressure and heart rate, constricts blood vessels, increases blood glucose, and opens up breathing passages. 8.  Mechanism of action ◦ Increase noradrenaline/norepinepherine & dopamine in the brain in 4 ways  Bind to the presynaptic membrane causing the release of dopamine  Interact with dopamine containing synaptic vesicles, releasing free dopamine into the nerve terminal 9.  Mechanism of action ◦ 4 ways cont…  Bind to monoamine oxidase in dopaminergic neurons and prevent the degradation of dopamine, leaving free dopamine in the nerve terminal  Bind to the dopamine re-uptake transporter, causing it to act in reverse and transport free dopamine out of the nerve terminal. 10.  Generalized State Of Euphoria  Increased Energy  Confidence  Mental Alertness  Sexual Arousal  Itching And Scratching  Large Pupils  Dry Mouth  Fast Heart Beat And Breathing  Teeth Grinding  Reduced Appetite  Excessive Sweating 11.  In the 4 to 6 days after stimulant use, the following effects may be experienced: ◦ Restless sleep and exhaustion ◦ Headaches ◦ Dizziness and blurred vision ◦ Paranoia, hallucinations and confusion ◦ Irritability, mood swings and depression ◦ Anxiety ◦ Insomnia 12.  Methamphetamine has a substantially longer half-life than cocaine, thus leading to more intense and protracted withdrawal.  Chronic methamphetamine users may have episodes of violent behavior, paranoia, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia. 13.  A study in April, 2015 analyzed 21 supplements labelled as containing Acacia rigidula, a type of shrub native to Texas. ◦ Eleven of them were found to contain beta- methylphenylethylamine, or BMPEA, an isomer of amphetamine whose effect on humans has never been studied. ◦ Only 3 in which the chemical was found indicated its presence on their labels, and none of them specified the amount of BMPEA in each pill, according to the study. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.1793/abstract  DoD list of Supplements to Avoid 14.  Toxic doses, over 5 grams per day for an adult, ◦ A cup of coffee contains 80–175 mg of caffeine, depending on the b

Counseling CEUs are available at https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/499/c/ Hundreds of thousands of people are on medications to address mood and mental health disorders.  Many people try one medication, and when it doesn't work, they feel hopeless.  What they do not realize is that, since we cannot accurately measure the levels of neurochemicals in your brain, diagnosis and prescribing is part art, and part science.  A variety of different chemical imbalances besides low serotonin can cause depressive symptoms, for example.    In this episode we will discuss three common classes of medications: Antidepressants, Mood Stabilizers and Antipsychotics, the neurotransmitters on which they are believed to work and the symptoms of insufficiency and excess of each of these neurotransmitters.   Show Notes Psychopharmacology: Antidepressants, Antipsychotics and Mood Stabilizers Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC Executive Director, AllCEUs.com Objectives For each of the following, antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers Examine their method of action Explore the types of disorders they are used to treat Review the most common medications in those classes Identify where to get more information for patients Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to off-label prescribing Dopamine Mechanism of action/purpose Altered dopamine neurotransmission is implicated in Cognitive control (racing thoughts) Attentional control Impulse control Working memory Dopamine Symptoms of excess & insufficiency Excess of dopamine Unnecessary movements, repetitive tics Psychosis Hypersexuality Nausea Most antipsychotic drugs are dopamine antagonists Dopamine antagonist drugs are also some of the most effective anti-nausea agents Dopamine Symptoms of excess & insufficiency Insufficient dopamine Negative symptoms of schizophrenia Pain Parkinson’s Disease Restless legs syndrome Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Neurological symptoms that increase in frequency with age, such as decreased arm swing and increased rigidity. Changes in dopamine levels may also cause age-related changes in cognitive flexibility. Dopamine Symptoms of excess & insufficiency Insufficient dopamine Lack of motivation Fatigue Apathy, Inability to feel pleasure Procrastination Low libido Sleep problems Mood swings Hopelessness Memory loss Inability to concentrate Dopamine Medications Most common dopamine antagonists (positive symptoms) Risperdone, Haldol, Zyprexa Metoclopramide (Reglan) is an antiemetic and antipsychotic Most common dopamine AGONISTs (Parkinson’s, Restless Legs) (negative symptoms) Mirapex & Requip Serotonin Mechanism of action/purpose Helps regulate Mood Sleep patterns Appetite Pain Serotonin Symptoms of excess Depression Apathy, Emotional flatness or dullness Passivity Insomnia and other sleep problems Difficulty concentrating and learning Poor memory; amnesia Difficulty making decisions and acting on them Sexual dysfunction Serotonin Insufficiency Depression Anxiety Pain sensitivity Norepinepherine Mobilize the brain and body for action. Norepinephrine release is lowest during sleep, rises during wakefulness, and reaches much higher levels during situations of stress (fight-or-flight) Increases arousal, alertness, anxiety and restlessness; promotes vigilance, and focuses attention Norepinepherine Excess Anxi

Counseling CEUs are available at https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/499/c/ Do you ever wonder what is going on when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?  Why is it that some people just seem naturally happier or more motivated or driven?  In this episode we will take a closer look at some of the main neurochemicals responsible for mood, motivation, learning, libido and hunger. Show Notes 1. Pharmacology of Recovery: Dopamine, GABA, Serotonin, Acetylcholine Recovery & Resilience International in partnership with AllCEUs.com Co- Occurring Disorders Recovery Coaching Curriculum Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC, NCC, CCDC Executive Director, AllCEUs.com 2. Objectives  Review the function of the most common neurotransmitters (Dopamine, Serotonin, GABA, Glutamate, Norepinepherine, Acetylcholine)  Explore how different drugs interact with brain chemistry to produce the reward  Learn how the brain's natural protective mechanisms actually cause withdrawal symptoms, and what that means  Identify mental health issues associated with imbalances between these neurochemicals  Examine ways to deal with chemical imbalances 3. Why I Care/How It Impacts Recovery  Whether it existed before the addiction, or was caused by the addiction, in early recovery, nearly every person’s neurotransmitters are out of balance.  This causes feelings of depression, apathy, anxiety, exhaustion. This is part of what is referred to as Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome  Understanding why you feel the way you do is the first step  Figuring out how to help yourself feel better is the next 4. What are Neurotransmitters  The human brain is composed of roughly 86 billion neurons. (1)  These cells communicate with each other via chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.  Neurotransmitters regulate  Mood  cravings, addictions  Energy  Libido  Sleep  Attention and concentration  Memory  Pain Sensitivity, 5. Neurotransmitters Cont…  About 86% of Americans have suboptimal neurotransmitter levels — our unhealthy modern lifestyle being largely to blame. (3)  Chronic stress, poor diet, environmental toxins, drugs (prescription and recreational), alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine can cause neurotransmitter depletion. 6.  Mechanism of action/purpose  Movement  Memory  Pleasurable reward  Learning  Behavior and cognition  Attention Dopamine 7.  Mechanism of action/purpose  Altered dopamine neurotransmission is implicated in Cognitive control (racing thoughts) Attentional control Impulse control Working memory Dopamine 8.  Where is it found  Precursor, L-DOPA is synthesized in brain and kidneys  Dopamine functions in several parts of the peripheral nervous system In blood vessels, it inhibits norepinephrine release and acts as a vasodilator (relaxation) In the pancreas, it reduces insulin production In the digestive system, it reduces gastrointestinal motility and protects intestinal mucosa Dopamine 9.  Symptoms of excess & insufficiency  Excess of dopamine Unnecessary movements, repetitive tics Psychosis Hypersexuality Nausea Most antipsychotic drugs are dopamine antagonists  Note: Antipsychotic drugs are used for many things other than schizophrenia Dopamine antagonist drugs are also some of the most effective anti-nausea agents Dopamine 10.  Symptoms of excess & insufficiency  Insufficient dopamine Negative symptoms  Reduction in emotional responsiveness  Lack of motivation  Diminished expressiveness (speech/socialization)  Difficulty concentrating or poor memory Pain Restless legs syndrome Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Dopamine 11.  Nutritional building blocks  Eating a diet high in magnesium and tyrosine rich foods will ensure you’ve got the basic building blocks needed for dopamine production.  H