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Addiction to Experience
Today’s Agenda:
Finish Video “Alcohol / Discuss
Lecture: Part A Addiction to Experience
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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Let’s look at the quote…
Some
to dance, some to make
bonfires, each man to what sport and
revels his addiction leads him.
- Shakespeare
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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Milkman and Sunderwirth (Ch. 7 / 8 )
 Milkman, H. (Professor
 Sunderwirth, S.
/ Psychology )
(Professor / Organic Chemistry)
 Key
theme – We are compelled by repetitious
behaviors to become energized, to relax, to imagine.
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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Craving for Ecstasy

Addictive behaviors hi-jack
the brain neurotransmission
system(e.g., dopamine /
meth)

Internal opiates (i.e.,
enkephalin; endorphins)

This is true for all behaviors

Seemingly innocent to the
illicit
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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The Addictive Personality
Rule breaking
Deviant
Addictive
Personality
Depressed
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
Nonconformist
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Who is Most at Risk
Risk Factors
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Early aggressive
behaviors
Protective Factors
1.
Self-control
2.
Positive Relationships
3.
Parental monitoring /
support
4.
Academic competence
5.
Anti-drug use policies
6.
Strong neighborhood
attachment
Poor social skills
Lack of parental
supervision
Substance abuse
Drug availability
Poverty
(National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2008)
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More
risk factors greater
chance of entering into risky
behaviors leads to compulsion
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Euphoric / Dysphoric Cycle
Brain is at baseline
Addictive behavior
releases dopamine
Euphoria (learn cues from environment)
Stop /moderate or
Cannot control
activity
Dysphoria
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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Drug and Activities of Choice

Genetics > behavioral style > stress

“Not Good Enough Self”


Surrender to something outside ourselves
This surrender often depends on our way of coping with stress

Certain personalities appear to gravitate toward certain addictive
behaviors to shore up stress and ameliorate “not good enough self”
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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The Serendipitous Event
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We find our drug of choice – reduce stress / inner turmoil

Incipient Addicts – experience compulsions and loss of control
long before ingesting psychoactive substances

For instance, family problems, school truancy / violence /
crime / interpersonal relations, par-suicidal behaviors

Three avenues of experience to ameliorate psychic pain
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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Antidotes for Psychic Pain

Satiation, arousal, and fantasy
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These antidotes may have origins in first years of life

Childhood experiences and genetic foundation of adult
compulsion

Our three antidotes correlate with drug of choice
1.
2.
3.
Depressants
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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Milkman and Sunderwirth (2009) hold
that:

People don’t become addicted to drugs or mood altering
activities as such, but rather to the satiation, arousal, or
fantasy experiences that can be achieved through them.
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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Satiation Addict “Soother”

Binge on food
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Television
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Choice of drug –
depressants (alcohol,
benzodiazepines)
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Striking similarity to child
during first year of life (food
and warmth
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Pharmacologic defense
against user’s own
aggressive drives
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Similar to opiates
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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Arousal Addict “Sensation Seekers”
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Seek stimulation / risk takers / live on the edge
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Gamblers
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Cocaine and amphetamine users

Can be criminals
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Seek to be active and potent in their environment (boastful)

Their vast expenditures of mental and physical energy are
designed to deny underlying fear and helplessness
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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Fantasy Addict: “Dreamer / Mystic”
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Favors repetitive activation of right-hemisphere thinking
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Preoccupation with altered reality
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Mystical insights / pursuit of merge with divine
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LSD
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Mushrooms

High potent marijuana

Try to overcome fears by creating fantasies in which they are
effective and important
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
+ The Brain, Antidotes, and Behavior
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
The Deviant Career
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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Basic Neuro-Chemistry
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Brain an electrical-chemical computer
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Process of communication between neurons
(neurotransmission)
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Largely responsible for brain functions that determine what
we are (i.e., personality, intellect, and character)
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We are our neurotransmission
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
+ Pre – Postsynaptic Neuron
Critical Point
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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Lock and Key, Release, Block

Neurotransmitters released from presynaptic attach
themselves to the receptors in the postsynaptic much like a
lock and key

Some drugs will increase the activation of neurotransmitter
release (amphetamine)

While others will block the reuptake of neurotransmitters
(cocaine) expanding the available dopamine in the synapse.
(Milkman & Sunderwirth, 2009) In Craving For Ecstasy
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Blum’s Reward Cascade
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Drugs, Dopamine Levels, Nucleus Accumbens
+ Activity, Dopamine Level, and Nucleus Accumbens