1. Careers and Addictions

2. EEG Technician
An electorneuro diagnostic technician uses an electroencephalogram (EEG) to check for abnormalities in the brain
Usually takes two years to earn an associate’s degree
Salary is about
$47,000 a year

3. Neurological Surgeon
Obviously a doctor (MD) who performs surgery on the nervous system
Four years of medical school, a year of internship, and then neurosurgical residency is an additional six years (16 years after HS)
Starting salary is $400,000

4. Neuropathologist
An M.D. or Ph.D. who studies diseases of the nervous system by examining tissues
Approximately 7 years of medical school
Salary begins at $100,000 per year

5. Neuropsychologist
Studies brain/behavior relationships especially cognitive function
7 years of schooling to finishing a Ph.D. in neuropsychology
Starting salary is $65,000

6. Addictions

7. Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemicals released from one neuron to another
There are over 100 types of neurotransmitters in the brain alone

8. Types of Neurotransmitters
Glutamate
GABA
Dopamine
Endorphins
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine

9. How it Works

10. Addiction Addictions ARE a disease and currently a crime
Once you are addicted, you really don’t have a choice about it
Progressive, Chronic and Fatal
Young brains are at risk due to their unique stage of development
Very treatable

11. Reward Pathway
There is a certain area of every brain called the “reward pathway”
This pathway is activated every time one performs an action that satisfies a need or fulfills a desire
Activated means it receives a neurotransmitter called dopamine

12. Addiction and Brain Chemistry
Once the reward center is flooded with dopamine, the area of the brain that controls memory, the hippocampus, lays down memories of the pleasure
Stressors or something associated with the stimuli can make your brain crave the drug, triggering a reuse or relapse

13. Korsakoff’s Syndrome Many alcoholics subsist mainly on their alcohol
Because of this, over 80% of alcoholics have a deficiency in thiamine
This leads to very severe brain defects
These people essentially act like they have Alzheimer’s – significantly impaired memory and motor coordination, trouble learning anything new