Respond to at least two colleagues from the role of the audience (the client’s mother): ? Provide two or three examples of points you understood an

Respond to at least two colleagues from the role of the audience (the client’s mother):  

• Provide two or three examples of points you understood and were clearly explained, and two points that were more difficult to understand.  
• Ask a question inspired by the talk.  

1-cetrice- I understand that you're feeling frustrated and maybe

even helpless right now. As a parent, it's hard to

watch your child struggle with addiction and wonder why they just can't stop using opioids. I want to help explain

what's happening in the brain and why it's not

as simple as just stopping. Opioid use disorder is not about lack of

willpower and discipline. It's a medical condition

that affects the brain. When someone uses opioids, these drugs bind to a

certain receptor in the brain that are a part of

our natural reward system. The immediate result is a powerful feeling of

pleasure and euphoria. Over time, the brain

becomes dependent on the drug to feel the sense

of reward of pleasure. The problem is the brain get used to the drug being there, and over time, it starts to need ovoid just to

function normally. Kind of this kind of dependency

is not just physical. It's also psychological. When someone tries to stop, they often experience

intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These can include anxiety, depression, nausea, and

even physical pain. The brain has rewired

itself in such a way that it's not simply a

controlling urges anymore. It's like a switch

has been flipped and their body and mind are telling them that they

need the drug to sell okay. When someone with opioid use, tries to quit, it's

not just a matter of saying no or trying harder. The brain chemistry has changed and that makes it

incredibly hard to simply stop, even

when they want to. It's like trying to flip turn off a switch that's

been on for a long time. But I want to stress that

addiction is treatable and recovery isn't just about

stopping cold turkey. It's about adjusting

the changes in the brain and getting

the right support. This also includes

medication to help manage cravings and withdrawal, therapy to adjust the

psychological aspect of addiction and a strong support

system to encourage the person throughout

the recovery process. I know it's difficult, but

your child needs time, support, and understanding while they're on the road to recovery. Because it might not be as quick or easy without the right help, but with it, it is

absolutely possible. I know you're doing

the best that you can, and you being here

today shows that you care and your commitment to

your child's well being. We're all working

together towards a brighter and healthier

future for them.

2-tricia-Good morning, misses X. Thank you for taking the

time to speak with me today. I understand you have

a lot of questions, and I'm going to do my best

to try and answer them all. People often use substances

to self medicate, to treat mood disorders or

mask symptoms of trauma. Using opioids or illicit

substances provides users with a temporary high

or feeling of happiness. Unless the underlying cause of the substance is dealt with, it will be difficult for

the user to quit opioids. Techniques such as cognitive behavioral

therapy can be used to help the client deal with underlying problems in a

constructive and lasting way. You had asked, Why

can't X just stop? This is understandably

a valid question. However, I want to share

that just stopping, it isn't a choice a person can simply make when it

comes to opioids. This is because

neuronal pathways in the brain are changed

with substance use. Those who are

addicted to opioids have structural and

functional brain damages. Brain changes, thus making it

almost impossible to stop. Opioids profoundly affect

the centers of motivation, reward, memory, and attention. They temporarily stimulate

reward centers of the brain, leading to the production of endorphins and

dopamine in the brain, which are chemicals that make people feel happy

or even euphoric. By creating this reward

for using opioids, addiction is formed further perpetuated with

continued opioid use. Without modifying the pathways and reward systems of the brain, the cycle of addiction

cannot be broken. Further, increasing

amounts of drugs are required to achieve the

same level of euphoria, leading to escalation of use, both in dosage and frequency. So thus, by changing the anatomy and

circatory of the brain, drugs rewire the brain such that the only reward it perceives is that

provided by the drug, and other things that normally provide pleasures

such as relationship, sex, and food no longer

have that same effect. For a person to

stop using drugs, it takes a multi

pronged approach with education, medication

and therapy. There will definitely

be some challenges, and I hope I was able

to provide you with a slightly better understanding

of the situation. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank

you for coming in.