Substance dependence (addiction)
Occupational or social problems, much time trying to obtain substance, continued use despite problems
Tolerance
Greater amounts required to produce desired effect
Withdrawal
Physiological and psychological consequences when individual discontinues or reduces substance abuse
Substance abuse
Maladaptive use of substance, no physiological dependence
Alcohol abuse
Negative social and occupational effects, no tolerance, withdrawal or compulsive usage
Alcohol dependence
More severe symptoms such as tolerance and withdrawal
Effects of withdrawal
Anxiety, depression, weakness, restlessness, insomnia, muscle tremors, elevated BP
Delirium tremens (DTs)
Can occur when blood levels drop suddenly
Results of Delirium tremens
deliriousness, tremulousness, hallucinations
Polydrug abuse
When an abuser abuses multiple substances
Synergistic
Combinations of drugs produce stronger reaction (alcohol and barbiturates, alcohol and heroin)
Alcohol prevalence (men/women)
More common in men than women
Binge drinking
5 drinks in a short period
Alcohol prevalence (race)
White adolescents and adults more likely than black, low among Asians, high among Hispanics and Native Americans
Route and general symptoms of alcohol
Enters bloodstream through the small intestine, initially stimulates and later depresses (biphasic effect)
Effects of large amounts of alcohol
Impaired speech and vision, poor coordination, loss of balance, depression and withdrawal
Long-term effects of alcohol
Malnutrition, cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure, ED, stroke etc
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Heavy alcohol intake during pregnancy, learning and memory impairments, growth deficits
Nicotine
Addicting agent of tobacco, the addictive substance that's most widely used
Health consequences of nicotine
Highly addictive, lung cancer, emphysema
Prevalence of nicotine
More common among white and Hispanic youth than blacks, more common among men
Marijuana
Ground leaves from female hemp plant (cannabis sativa), most frequently used illicit drug in US
Hashish
Stronger than marijuana
Prevalence of marijuana
More common among men
Ingredients of marijuana
THC
Psychological effects of marijuana
Relaxation and sociability, impairment of memory, attention, and thinking
Physiological effects of marijuana
Bloodshot and itchy eyes, dry mouth, increased appetite, increased BP
Therapeutic effects of marijuana
Reduces nausea and loss of appetite caused by chemotherapy, painkiller, relieves discomfort from AIDS
Prescription and OTC Medications
Pain relievers, CNS depressants (tranquilizers and sedatives), and stimulants
Classes of abused prescription medications
Opiods, CNS depressants, stimulants
Opiods
Pain-relieving medications
Addictive sedatives
Opium, morphine, heroin, codeine (all reduce pain and induce sleep)
Method of ingesting opiods
Can be taken orally, snorted, or injected
Psychological effects of opiates
Euphoria, reverie, loss of inhibition, increased confidence
Physical effects of opiates
Drowsiness, severe letdown after 4-6 hours
Withdrawal from opiates
Muscle soreness, twitching, cramps, chills/sweating, increased HR and BP, insomnia, vomiting, lasts 72 hours
Treatments for opiod addiction
Medically supervised detox, behavioral treatments
Long-term effects of opiates
Many are in prison from doing illegal activities for drug money, dead from overdose, suicide or homicide, can get diseases like HIV because of sharing needles
CNS depressants
Medications that slow normal brain function (tranquilizers and sedatives)
Barbiturates
Promote sleep, induce muscle relaxation
Benzodiazepines
Valium, Xanax, ProSum, prescribed to treat anxiety, panic attacks, sleep disorders, highly addictive
Effects of high dosages of sedatives
Slurred speech, impaired judgment and concentration, irritability, can't be combined with any meds that induce sleepiness
Withdrawal from CNS depressants
Severe symptoms, can include seizures
Stimulants
Amphetamines, methylphenidate, increase alertness, attention and energy
Physical effects of stimulants
Increase BP and HR, constrict blood vessels, used to treat ADHD, narcolepsy and med-resistant depression
Method of ingesting stimulants
Can be taken orally or injected
Stimulants' effect on brain and body
Causes increased levels of dopamine, high doses can result in irregular heart beat, hostility
Treatment for stimulant addiction
Behavioral therapies (CBT) used with cocaine and meth addicts
Amphetamines
Increased alertness and motor activity, reduce fatigue
Amphetamines' effects on brain and body
Blocks reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine, high energy levels, reduces appetite, increased HR
Tolerance of Amphetamines
Can develop after only 6 days
Methamphetamine
Amphetamine derivative (crystal meth)
Methods of ingesting methamphetamine
Can be taken orally, intravenously, or by snorting
Long-term effects of methamphetamine
Will damage the brain, reduction in hippocampus volume
Effects of cocaine
Reduces pain, produces euphoria, heightens sexual desire, increases self-confidence
Effects of cocaine overdose
Chills, nausea, insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations
Tolerance of cocaine
User doesn't always develop a tolerance, some users become more sensitive
Crack
Form of cocaine that consists of rock crystal that's heated, melted, and smoked
Effects of Hallucinogens
Hallucinations (duh), synestesias, alterations in time perception, anxiety and paranoia
Types of Hallucinogens
LSD, Ecstasy, PCP, mescaline (peyote), psilocybin (shrooms)
Effects of Ecstasy
Increased feelings of intimacy and enhances mood, chemically similar to mescaline and amphetamines
Effects of PCP
Causes severe paranoia and violence, called angel dust, supposed to be an animal tranquilizer
Two paths to alcohol abuse
Began drinking in adolescence and usage increased during high school, OR didn't drink much in adolescence, increased drinking in middle school and high school
Neurobiological factors of substance-related disorders
Nearly all drugs stimulate dopamine system in the brain
Psychological factors of substance-related disorders
Mood alteration, expectations about drugs behavior will influence behavior
Effects of social network on drinking
Having peers who drink influences drinking behavior but individuals also choose friends with similar drinking patterns
Treatment of substance-related disorders
Inpatient hospital treatment (detox), CBT and specifically learn to avoid places with the substance (i.e. bars)