Addictions and Stress Flashcards
What are some key facts about addiction in Canada?
-1 in 4 Canadians will experience addiction or mental illness in their lifetime (1/10 in a year)
-2/3 who need car receive none
-affects more people than heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and diabetes combined
-costs Canada $32 billion/year
-equals 14% of net operating revenue of all Canadian businesses (33% of short-term disability claims)
What are key statistics about drug and alcohol use in the general Canadian population?
-79% drink alcohol; 14% use cannabis
-18% exceed drinking guidelines
-14% report hazardous drinking
-most acute problems come from moderate drinkers over-drinking occasionally
-alcohol, tobacco, and drugs cost Canadians over $18 billion annually
-children of alcoholics are 4x more likely to develop alcoholism
What are some key trends in substance use among Canadian youth?
-90%+ of alcohol consumed by males 15–24 exceeds guidelines
-85%+ for young females also exceeds guidelines
-60% of 15–24-year-olds have used cannabis; 38% in the past year
-80%+ of Grade 12s drink; nearly half report hazardous drinking
-daily cannabis use rising; 1 in 5 drive after using it
-1 in 7 students still smoke despite a general decline
What is the impact of alcohol on the brain and body?
-within 90 seconds, alcohol reaches the brain
-increases dopamine and endorphin activity → produces the “high”
-excessive intake activates poison control cells in the brain
-body initiates a defensive response:
–diaphragm contracts sharply downward
–abdominal muscles squeeze the stomach
–leads to vomiting to prevent further alcohol absorption
What happens when too much alcohol is consumed at once?
-can be lethal — brain’s automatic survival system becomes overwhelmed
-may lead to shutdown of vital functions, including the lungs → stop breathing
-risk of choking on vomit and suffocating, even while asleep
What are the key components used to define addiction?
-substance abuse
-physical dependence:
–drug tolerance (needing more for the same effect)
–withdrawal (negative symptoms when stopping)
-psychological dependence (craving, compulsive use)
-harm (negative effects on life, health, and functioning)
What are the DSM criteria for substance abuse?
-use leads to failure in major responsibilities (work/school/home)
-use in physically hazardous situations
-legal problems due to use
-continued use despite persistent physical, social, occupational, or psychological problems
What is drug tolerance?
-the need for an increased amount of a given drug to achieve intoxication or desired effect
-or the reduction of a drug’s effect with continued use of the same dose over time
[process of adaptation]
What happens during drug withdrawal in physical dependence?
-withdrawal occurs when a drug is abruptly removed or dose reduced
-involves a cluster of symptoms and physical signs
-can be extremely unpleasant
-individuals may use the drug again to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms
-symptoms include: tremors, high body temperature, HR struggles to stay stable; seizures; heart attack
-withdrawl from alcohol is more dangerous than withdrawl from heroin
What is psychological dependence?
-occurs when stopping or reducing drug use leads to non-physical symptoms
-characterized by emotional/mental preoccupation and persistent cravings
-now seen as the most important feature of addiction
-helps explain relapse after long periods of abstinence
What types of harm are central to understanding addiction and substance abuse?
-physical (health deterioration)
-psychological (mental health issues like depression, anxiety)
-social (impact on relationships, employment, finances, legal issues)
-spiritual (loss of meaning, hope, well-being)
What are the components of all addictions?
-preoccupation with substance
-increased use of substance beyond expected
-inability to control use
-withdrawal symptoms
-signs of tolerance
-restricted activities
-impaired functions
-harmful or hazardous use
What are some reasons why people use drugs?
-fun/enhance pleasurable activities/intensify feelings
-experiment, explore new experiences
-unwind, cope with stress
-escape reality, numb feelings
-deal with emotional pain or discomfort
-respond to social pressure or norms
-make social contact easier
-enhance artistic creativity
-spiritual or meditative pursuits
-self-medicate for anxiety, depression, cognitive dysfunction
What are the five models of addiction?
-moral model
-disease model
-social model
-psychological model
-biopsychosocial model
What is the Moral Model of addiction and what are its pros and cons?
-addiction is seen as a result of moral failing or flawed character
-recovery through higher values and self-discipline
-influenced the Temperance Movement and the War on Drugs
-Pros: empowering; aligns with a right/wrong worldview
-Cons: judgmental; oversimplifies addiction
What is the Disease Model of addiction and what are its pros and cons?
-views addiction as a chronic brain disease
-attributed to genetics or physical brain changes
-causes pervasive, long-lasting neurochemical changes
-not curable, but can be treated
-treatments like 12-Step Programs and drug interventions
-Pros: Reduces stigma (indignation replaced with pity)
-Cons: can lead to simplistic policies
What is the Social Model of addiction and what are its pros and cons?
-addiction develops through socialization in environments that encourage substance use
-emphasizes environmental, familial, peer, and cultural influences
-treatment focuses on community-based support: new peers, activities, and environments; role models, especially recovered addicts, play key roles
-Pros: highlights societal responsibility; helps identify at-risk populations
-Cons: may promote cultural stereotypes; blame placed on culture
What is the Psychological Model of addiction and its key points?
-addiction stems from issues with emotional regulation and psychological stress
-substance use as a way to avoid negative emotions or pursue positive feelings
-linked to an inability to cope effectively
-desire for substances may be based on misunderstandings of their effects
-involves traits like neuroticism, impulsivity, extraversion, and deviance (addictive personality)
-Treatment: Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT); stress management
-Pros: empowers individuals to make changes and develop skills
-Cons: limited evidence for some concepts (e.g., addictive personality)
What is the Social Stress Model?
-stress/social networksocial competenceresources
-predictors of substance use: weak relationships with family; family problems; lack of perceived social support; low assertiveness
What is the Integrated Biopsychosocial Model of addiction?
-considers biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors
-accounts for determinants of health and disability
-promotes a comprehensive understanding of addiction’s complexity
-emphasizes interactions between various influences rather than isolating one cause
[spiritual - cultural - social - psycho bio]
What are some behavioural addictions?
-gambling (in DSM-5)
-internet gaming (in section iii of DSM-5)
-internet
-social networking
-texting
-shopping
-sex
-exercise
-eating
What is the DSM-5 explanation of gambling disorder?
-gambling disorder is similar to substance-related disorders in clinical expression, brain origin, comorbidity, physiology, and treatment
What are the features of internet gaming?
-expected relief of withdrawal symptoms when gaming
-craving due to the expectation of a positive outcome of gaming
-11.9% met at least 3 of the criteria for gambling addiction
