NCJ Number
193005
Journal
Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: 2001 Pages: 41-63
Date Published
2001
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes the effects of alcohol and other drugs on the brain at different stages of life from childhood through adulthood and provided suggestions for treatment strategies based on this information.
Abstract
Through neurobiological research it was discovered that drugs had different effects on brain activity depending on the stage of life that an individual was at. For instance, the brain grows more rapidly when a person is younger and declines as one ages. Thus, it was concluded that the dopamine system, where the addiction system is located, is more active at the age of 18 than at the age of 80, so the pleasure of taking drugs and alcohol declines as one ages. Overall, it was concluded there is no one answer that would cure drug and alcohol addiction due to the fact that children and adults have different needs as well as mechanisms at work in the “neuronal circuits” within the brain. Further, it was concluded that the knowledge of “neuroplasticity” would be beneficial in predicting treatment outcome because the knowledge gained can be used to design more effective treatment methods and approaches, like clinical therapy. 2 figures, 1 table, note, and references