Allen: Understanding Alcoholism

Question 1

What is an alcohol use disorder?

Answer 1

A problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least two of the following, occurring within a TWELVE month period:

Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than intended (TOLERANCE–neuroadaptation)

There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.

A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol, or recover from its effects.

CRAVING, or a strong desire or urge to use alcohol.

Recurrent alcohol use resulting in a FAILURE TO FULFILL MAJOR ROLE obligations at work, school, or home.

Continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol.

Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.

Recurrent alcohol use in situations where it is physically dangerous.

Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by alcohol.

Tolerance.

Withdrawal.

Question 2

What is tolerance?

Answer 2

A reduced sensitivity requiring HIGHER quantities of alcohol be consumed in order to achieve the same effects

Question 3

What is withdrawal?

Answer 3

a set of symptoms that can occur when an individual reduces or STOPS alcoholic consumption after long periods of use

Question 4

What is alcohol withdrawal syndrome?

Answer 4

at least 2 of the following systems:

increased hand tremor, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, transient hallucinations (auditory, visual or tactile), psychomotor agitation, anxiety, tonic-clonic seizures, autonomic instability

Question 5

What is craving?

Answer 5

desire/urge to consume alcohol (physical and psychological)

Question 6

What were the two major changes made in DSM-5?

Answer 6

1. Legal problems as diagnostic criteria

2. distinction between abuse and dependence

Question 7

Tolerance in alcohol use involves:

a. acceptance of other’s alcohol use despite being abstinent oneself
b. neuroadaptation in response to chronic alcohol use so that progressively smaller amounts of alcohol are required to experience intoxication
c. progressively larger amounts of alcohol to have similar effect
d. increased desire for alcohol as part of chronic use

Answer 7

c. progressively LARGER amounts of alcohol to have SIMILAR

Question 8

When does a gambling disorder become a behavioral addiction?

Answer 8

Behaviors, like gambling, activate the brain reward system with effects SIMILAR TO DRUG ABUSE and that gambling disorder symptoms resemble substance use disorders to a certain extent.

Question 9

is craving physical or psychological?

Answer 9

both

Question 10

What group has the lowest rate of alcohol use?

Answer 10

American Indian

Question 11

How is binge drinking defined?

Answer 11

M- 5 or more drinks

W- 4 or more drinks

Question 12

How is heavy used defined?

Answer 12

M- 5 or more on at least 5 different days

F- 4 or more on at least 5 different days

Question 13

College students or non college students are more at risk for heavy alcohol use?

Answer 13

College students

Question 14

How do you assess alcohol use using CAGE?

Answer 14

Cut down on drinking
Annoyed by ppl critizing your drinking
Guilty about drinking
Eye opener–first thing in the am

Question 15

What is AA?

Answer 15

Self help approach
12 steps
Spiritual basis
Abstinence based

Question 16

What is motivational interviewing?

Answer 16

Person centered, GOAL ORIENTED method of communication to encourage INTRINSIC motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence.

Question 17

What are the two phases of motivational interviewing?

Answer 17

I: resolve ambivalence (reasons for it) and build motivation (reasons to do this, assess readiness)

II: strengthen commitment and create a plan

Question 18

What is the transtheoretical model?

Answer 18

Precontemplation
Contemplation
Determination/Preparation
Action
Maintenance

*motivational interviewing to move between these stages

Question 19

**What is precontemplation?

Answer 19

Introduce the idea that maybe they’re a problem drinker

Question 20

What is contemplation?

Answer 20

My drinking may be directly affecting others

Question 21

Define determination/preparation

Answer 21

Making a decision to stop and develop a plan

Question 22

define actin

Answer 22

quitting

Question 23

What is maintenance?

Answer 23

how you stay quit—relapse prevention

Question 24

In the transtheoretical model, the stage in which people are intending to take action in the immediate future is

a. Precontemplation
b. Contemplation
c. Determination/Preparation
d. Action
e. Maintenance

Answer 24

Contemplation–intending but haven’t made decision yet

Question 25

What percent of ppl w/ a substance use disorder are in precontemplation or contemplation?

Answer 25

80%

*define success by movement from one stage to the next

Question 26

What is the primary focus of relapse prevention?

Answer 26

Maintenance of habit changing process to PREVENT occurrence of initial lapses after embarking on habit change

Preventing lapse to total relapse

Question 27

What are self control procedures?

Answer 27

Acquire adaptive COPING SKILLS as alternatives to addictive behaviors

Foster new cognitions (attitudes, attributions, and expectancies) concerning the nature of habit change and the capacity to control one’s life

Develop a daily lifestyle with positive self-care activities and nondestructive ways of achieving satisfaction

Question 28

What cognitive techniques are used as coping skills?

Answer 28

reframing

understanding thought processes

Question 29

What are the central assumptions of harm reduction?

Answer 29

abstinence is an ideal outcome but accepts other alternatives

Question 30

What are methods of harm reduction?

Answer 30

Safer route of drug administration
Alternative, safer substances
Reduce frequency of drug use
Reduce intensity of drug use
Reduce harmful consequences of drug use

Question 31

What are the basic strategies to reduce alcohol consumption?

Answer 31

Keep Track
Slow Down 
Space Your Drinks
Select Different Types of Drinks
Drink for Quality instead of Quantity
Enjoy Mild Effects