The Chemistry of Drug Uses: Why Trauma Increases the Risks

When we are talking about drugs, we are talking about “external psychoactive chemicals”, i.e., substances (legal/illegal) we take into our bodies to change/alter our perceptions, moods, consciousness, cognition, and/or our behavior. We usually take external chemicals because we are seeking is relief from physical or psychological discomfort/distress/pain. Trauma throws us “off-balance” and into a state of discomfort/distress/pain, and we want relief immediately. If we do not have a pain-relieving habit - - something we can do automatically without thinking about it – we are more likely to “take something” that gives us immediate relief. All psychoactive drugs - - whether acquired off the street or prescribed - - only work because they match one or more of our bodies' own nerve receptors for our own “internal psychoactive bio-chemicals” - - the chemicals we make inside our bodies. The problem is that most of us know nothing about our basic neurochemistry – our brain chemistry - - or that there are ways to increase our internal doses of our own psychoactive bio-chemicals, so we want/need less – or none - - of these external psychoactive chemicals. This is called practical science.

Participants will be able to:

1. Define “external psychoactive chemical” and “internal psychoactive bio-chemistry”; 

2. Match at least one naturally occurring “internal psychoactive bio-chemical” to its “external psychoactive substance”; 

3. Name at least one action each of us can take that is proven to increase our calming/healing “internal psychoactive bio-chemicals”

Karen Williams, M.S.S.W, is an independent consultant and trainer specializing in explaining the latest neuroscience in ways that are easy to understand and apply to real life.  She has over 30 years of experience in youth development, applying the latest neuroscience to the fields of mental health, education, juvenile justice, child protective services, substance abuse prevention, and highway traffic safety. She was an administrator for the State of Texas in the 1990s and has since been a consultant and trainer, working with institutions and organizations across the nation.

Professionals who believe that this programming meets the requirements of their professional licensure board may present their certificate to their professional board. All those attending in full will receive a certificate of attendance and agenda for the day that includes the course title, trainer names, date, location, and number of hours. It is the responsibility of the individual attending to be familiar with the CEU requirements of their professional licensing board. Licensees should retain course materials and certificates for four years for auditing purposes.

If this professional learning opportunity is cost prohibitive, reach out to Caelan Sauberan at staff@thrivingfamiliesalliance.org for potential scholarship opportunities.

For any additional questions contact Caelan Sauberan at staff@thrivingfamiliesalliance.org