Addiction Medicine (Bemski) (Midterm) Flashcards
The terms “dependency” and “abuse” were dropped from the DSM-5 in favor of what single term?
Substance use disorder (SUD)
-includes tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and methamphetamines
What is the definition of addiction?
A chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug/alcohol seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain
What are all the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorder according to the DSM-5?
- Hazardous use
- Social/interpersonal problem related to use
- Neglected major roles because of use
- Withdrawal
- Tolerance
- Used larger amounts/longer
- Repeated attempts to quit/control use
- Much time spent using
- Physical/psychological problems related to use
- Activities given up in order to use
- Craving
How many diagnostic criteria must be met to diagnose mild, moderate, and severe SUD?
Mild: 2-3
Moderate: 4-5
Severe: 6-7
What are factors that have caused a recent increase in the number of overdose deaths?
- Driven largely by fentanyl and similar synthetic opioids (tasteless, odorless, stronger)
- Easy access to drugs
- Low cost
In 2016 how many people were killed from overdose from prescription drugs? Excessive alcohol use?
Rx = 63,000
Excessive alcohol use = 88,000
What is the cost of addiction per year?
> $740 billion
How many drug overdose deaths occurred in 2020?
- Estimated > 93,000
- Highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12 month period
- Nearly 30% increase from 2019
How has COVID affected OD deaths/addiction in general?
- Social isolation
- Stress
- People using drugs alone
- Overall inc in rates of drug use
- Dec. access to substance use tx, harm reduction services, emergency services
What neurotransmitter regulates movement, emotion, cognition, motivation, and reinforcement of rewarding behaviors?
Dopamine
Describe the pathophysiology of dopamine
- DA receptors in brain are hyperstimulated in response to taking drugs
- Drugs, via excessive and repeated dopaminergic stimulation, induce persistent neruoplastic adaptation in midbrain DA neurons
Well-supported evidence suggests that the addiction process involves a three-stage cycle. What are the three stages?
- Binge/intoxication
- Withdrawal/Negative Affect
- Preoccupation/Anticipation (one seeks substances again after a period of abstinence)
What region of the brain is involved with stage 1 of the three-stage cycle (binge/intoxication)?
basal ganglia
What region of the brain is involved with stage 2 of the three-stage cycle (withdrawal/negative affect)?
extended amygdala
What region of the brain is involved with stage 3 of the three-stage cycle (preoccupation/anticipation)?
prefrontal cortex
Who is at increased risk of becoming addicted to drugs/alcohol?
Basically the scope is very broad
- From teens still living at home to professional people
- Males, females
- People with mental illness to highly educated people
- Adverse chilhood events (ACE)
- Family members with addiction hx
- Chronic pain
What are some of the main addiction risk factors?
- Genetics
- Psychological
- Age
What are genetic addiction risk factors?
- Studies have shown that as much as 50% of persons propensity to have addiction is genetic
- Children of addicts are 8 times more likely to develop an addiction
What are psychological addiction risk factors?
- About 50% of individuals who have mental illness also struggle with SUD
- Hx of physical or sexual abuse
- Peer pressure
For children and adolescents the risk of becoming a drug abuser involves what relationship?
The relationship among the number and type of risk factors (deviant attitudes and behaviors, ACEs) and protective factors (parental support)
Exposure to drugs or adverse environmental stimuli during critical time windows of childhood and adolescence can have what dire consequences?
- Consequences for normal brain development
- Addiction vulnerability
A critical factor in the susceptibility of adolescents to risky behaviors, including drug-taking, pertains to what fact regarding the brain?
Brain circuitry, which is necessary for self-regulation, is not fully developed until early adulthood
What substances have students tried at least once prior to the age of 18?
- Alcohol 91%
- Tobacco 40%
- Marijuana 47%
- Prescription Drugs 18%
- Illicit Substances 5%
What are some devastating effects of addiction on health, the brain, life in general?
- Overdose deaths
- Neonatal abstinence syndrome, removal of newborns from parental care
- Transmission of infectious diseases such as HIV, Hep C ,hepatitis, STDs
- Skin infections, organ damage, cardiac disease, neurotoxic changes in the brain
- Social consequences including loss of productivity, inc crime and violence, neglect of children, expanded health care costs
