title: Do you know if your patients, co-workers, friends, family, or you have an addiction?
abstract: Substance abuse (chemical dependence) is often a silent, but pervasive problem in today's society. Chemically dependent people come from all components of society, regardless of financial status, ethnicity, or age. They are masters at disguising their addictions. A variety of chemicals, including over-the-counter, prescription, and street drugs are used and abused. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, appears to be the major determinant in whether or not a person progresses from casual substance use to substance abuse. This course will discuss commonly abused types of substances, signs of substance use (psychological, physiological, oral manifestations), and the role of dopamine in the addiction process. An outline of successful interventions and preventive strategies will be included. Because health care professionals should be aware of the many aspects of substance abuse, this course is designed to increase understanding of the clinical and social aspects of the problem. It will provide information to help a patient, co-worker, or family member manage this debilitating and complicated problem.
authors: University of Louisville, USA.
authors: P B
authors: PB
authors: Byrd
mesh_terms: D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005195:Family Relations; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D004298:Dopamine