Pubdate: Wed, 12 Jun 2002
Source: Times Record News (TX)
Copyright: 2002 The E.W. Scripps Co.
Contact:  http://www.trnonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/995
Author: Steven L. Rueschenberg

CHEMISTRY LESSON

The point of comparing chemical illness to diabetes was not to discount 
this illness.

The very fact people still think the chemically ill are "weak-willed" and 
immoral people is uneducated and uninformed of current discoveries. The 
facts are that mood-altering drug, which includes tobacco, coffee or 
caffeinated drinks, chocolate, alcohol, prescription and illegal drugs, 
alter the chemistry of the brain.

Most all of us have natural chemicals at birth known as serotonin and 
dopamine, as well as other chemical players that affect mood and 
perceptions. We know serotonin is a leading contributor to depression. The 
use of Prozac or like medications is commonly used successfully to combat 
this mental illness.

Dopamine gives us a sense of well being and contentment. The pleasant 
slight buzz of alcohol - not drunk - social drinkers get from a drink or 
two is the dopamine being released.

The lack of the re-uptake of dopamine when released, leads to depression as 
well. The use of drugs disrupts the chemical make-up of the brain, so in 
reality once drugs are used, it sets in motion events no one counted on. 
The consumption creates a drug-induced depression, which no one likes, so 
they will use again.

Unfortunately, in spite of all the prevention programs and "don't use" 
messages youth receive, the power of curiosity, peer pressure and a lack of 
constant parental "no use" messages get too even the most responsible kids. 
The brains of youth are sitting ducks for quick addiction to any 
mood-altering drugs due to a lack of maturity. Also, there are parents of 
children your kids associate with who communicate behaviorally or verbally 
to their kids "a little pot is no big deal," or "I rather my kid drank 
alcohol or smoke cigarettes than do those other drugs," not realizing 
they're setting up their kids for serious trouble later in life. The 
perception of trying to provide another excuse for behavior is not my goal. 
It's all about chemistry. In the Narcotic Anonymous book, it clearly 
states, "I may not be responsible for my disease, but I am responsible for 
my recovery."

Steven L. Rueschenberg, Executive Director, Turning Point 
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