What is Addiction?
When differentiating between "physical" addiction and "psychological" addiction in newborns of addicted mom's, it is a slippery slope of distinction. It is known that physical addiction comes about through an array of neuroadaptive changes and the laying down and strengthening of new memory connections in various circuits in the brain. We do not yet know all the relevant mechanisms, but the evidence suggests that it is the long-lasting brain changes from prolonged drug use that are responsible for the distortions of cognitve and emotional functioning that characterize addictive behaviors, possibly including the cravings of psychological addiction.
Scientists are characterizing physical addiction as a circumstance occuring when a person's body becomes dependent on a particular substance and that this person builds tolerance to that substance, so that the person needs a larger dose than previous to achieve the same effect. Psychological addiction is characterized by the scientific community as the cravings or desire involved in needing the chemical. One form of addiction is neurochemical, while the other is a perceptual experience of needing the substance.
It is hypothesized by the medical community that the baby's brain has not had a long enough period of exposure to become actually addicted or physically dependent on the drug beyond the withdrawl period. This distinction does not mean that the baby has not experienced a neuroadaptive response in utero and possible permanent nervous system damage as a response to the drug. It simply means that we can not confidently state that a baby is neurochemically "addicted" as we define addiction in the adult population.
On the other hand, babies definitely experience withdrawl from drugs as is described as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. It is speculated that based upon what we know about "learning", the baby has learned how it feels to be influenced by the drug and perceives the absence of it.
I hope this helps to define and clarify the concept of neonatal addiction. This blog continues to welcome both questions and also additional information that may serve to clarify or expand concepts discussed here....Kim
Scientists are characterizing physical addiction as a circumstance occuring when a person's body becomes dependent on a particular substance and that this person builds tolerance to that substance, so that the person needs a larger dose than previous to achieve the same effect. Psychological addiction is characterized by the scientific community as the cravings or desire involved in needing the chemical. One form of addiction is neurochemical, while the other is a perceptual experience of needing the substance.
It is hypothesized by the medical community that the baby's brain has not had a long enough period of exposure to become actually addicted or physically dependent on the drug beyond the withdrawl period. This distinction does not mean that the baby has not experienced a neuroadaptive response in utero and possible permanent nervous system damage as a response to the drug. It simply means that we can not confidently state that a baby is neurochemically "addicted" as we define addiction in the adult population.
On the other hand, babies definitely experience withdrawl from drugs as is described as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. It is speculated that based upon what we know about "learning", the baby has learned how it feels to be influenced by the drug and perceives the absence of it.
I hope this helps to define and clarify the concept of neonatal addiction. This blog continues to welcome both questions and also additional information that may serve to clarify or expand concepts discussed here....Kim
posted by consciousevolution @ 8:17 PM
2 Comments:
At 5:32 PM,
consciousevolution said…
Hey Kim,
I work with a nine year old child with autism and we have him completing a few sensory integration activities in our SI room. The first activity he participates in is trampoline jumping. Some days he is good and this activity settles him, but there are a few days where he appears to get over stimulated, very excited, exhibits hand flapping and increased loud vocalizations. I think this should be a calming activity, but he initially gets very excited prior to only slightly calming down. Should this continue if it doesn't appear to be a calming activity for him? And if not what is the estimated length of time this boy should be jumping... currently the program has him doing it for 3-5 minutes. I know your answer... it depends!
The second question is about the deep pressure hot dog game and squishing him with the foam pillow. His assistant reports that occasionally he becomes excited during these activities, to a point where ther will be lots of laughing and giggling. The majority of the time he appears to calm down and will make eye contact and reach out to touch the assistant but when he doesn't remain calm, she has asked if this is normal?
We also tried the ball bath and again he really enjoys it, but gets very excited and becomes obsessed on getting in and out of the bath.
PT... Grande Prairie, Alberta
At 5:32 PM,
consciousevolution said…
Thank you for the fantastic questions. I will attempt my answer in the body of the blog.
k
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