ADDICTION AND THE HUMAN BRAIN

Positing that drug addiction is a disease of the brain, experts attest that the moldable, developing brains of adolescents make them the most susceptible to this disease. In clear and accessible language, scientists spell out the mechanics of addiction: the function of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain’s reward pathway, how drugs hijack this system to produce an artificial euphoria, and how drugs may effectively rewire the brain to prevent the user from feeling a genuine sense of well-being. Treatment options and new research techniques are also discussed. The disc includes a teacher’s guide with a program summary, activities, fact sheets, pre- and post-tests, Web resources, and a glossary. Grades 7–12. Closed captioned. Color. 27 minutes. Human Relations Media. ©2006.

psychissues