National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week - Day 3

Day Three

We are very interested in what you have to say and encourage you to talk freely about drugs and drug use. Your privacy is also very important to us. This event should provide a safe and supportive environment. We pledge to you and each other to respect the comments and privacy of others. In order to keep a safe environment for sharing information, we’ve set up the following ground rules:

1. Treat everyone with respect and fairness.
2. Avoid using real names, addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
3. Do not share personal information you hear at this event.

The Science Behind Preventing, Diagnosing, and Treating Alcohol Use Disorder (37 minutes)

Presented on June 7, 2018, at the University of Utah School of Medicine, this webinar featuring Dr. George F. Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), addresses the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUD). For more information about the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, visit niaaa.nih.gov.

Dr. Koob not only discusses the process of addiction in the brain, but discusses the “dark side”, the withdrawal negative affect stage. He talks about the “reptile” brain which includes the craving stage long after acute withdrawal. He discusses how greatly the grey matter in your prefrontal cortex is greatly reduced with alcohol and how this affects relapse.

His discussion is followed with how we can prevent and treat addiction from his years of experience and studies. The co-occurring mental illnesses are also addressed. His discussion includes options for 12 step programs, medicated treatment, and counseling.

These studies are ongoing, education is at the top of their list.

What can you do to join the fight against addiction, especially in adolescents?