Alcohol Use Diisorder Flashcards
How is a substance use disorder defined?
Use that is dangerous or causes substantial impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning.
How is substance dependence defined?
Tolerance (need more and more to get same affect)
Withdrawal
How does alcohol affect the pleasure pathway in the brain?
Alcohol consumption produces dopamine release in mesocorticolimbic ares
Results in positive reinforcement (positive mood)
How does chronic alcohol use cause sensitisation to alcohol associated stimuli?
Brain learns alcohol best way to get dopamine - results in pathological craving
How does sensitisation to alcohol affect alternative reinforcers?
Other activities less reinforcing
Preference for alcohol over other reinforcers leads to decrease in other activities
How does chronic alcohol use affect brain’s reactivity to stress?
Alcohol increases corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) which stimulates release of cortisol
Become more reactive to stress (akin to increased cortisol in anxiety disorders)
What is the role of positive reinforcement in alcohol use disorder?
Early on alcohol used to seek positive high (euphoria)
What is the role of negative reinforcement in alcohol use disorder?
Later on alcohol used to seek escape from withdrawal or crash
How does social learning influence alcohol use? (3 points)
Positive attitudes about drinking
Increased access to alcohol
Heavier use by peers influences own drinking patterns
What are two cognitive factors involved in the maintenance of alcohol use?
Expectancy effects - anticipate positive effects from alcohol
Expectation of inability to cope without drinking (repeatedly drinking means unable to disconfirm belief about not coping)
What are some examples of alcohol related beliefs that maintain drinking?
Drinking makes me feel confident
I’ll be uptight if I don’t drink
