An array of feelings can initiate drug addiction and relapse:
o Everything related to stress
o Feeling lonely
o Lack of affiliation and social support
o Impulsivity
o Mood - being both happy and sad, although it’s mostly sadness that triggers relapse
Stress intolerance will promote continued drug taking.
Addiction is an overlearned behavior, it goes below the radar of consciousness. When you have automated behaviors your brain may react to cues (triggers).
To better understand the opioid epidemic they suggest watching “Hungry Heart,” a documentary chronicling the heart-wrenching rampage of prescription drug abuse in one northern Vermont community.
IDEAS FOR THE CHALLENGE:
• If early detection can be captured by detecting a chemical in the brain, it needs to be expressed in another area of the body. Such as a hormone expressed, heart variability, exposure to a trigger, and stress.
• The technology would need to detect stress, understand a person’s internal or external cues, and thoughts/mood (positive and negative).
• Mindfulness is the antidote of addiction. The technology should have a component that makes the user feel proud and happy (assist in the release of oxytocin). Most people in recovery are looking to feel worthy of being cared about and loved.
• Make a distinction in the target population either adolescents (>18 years) or adults (<18 years) because treatment and recovery approaches will vary considerably given the brain’s developmental state.
