CH 11 Substance Abuse Disorders Flashcards
11.1 What term do medical and psychological professionals use instead of “alcoholic” or “alcoholism”?
Harmful use of alcohol
11.1 Describe the prevalence and demographics of Alcohol Use Disorder
Approx. 30% of people in the USA meet DSM criteria at some point in their lifetime
Nearly 15% in a given year
(2015) 50% of adults drink, 25% binge drink
Risk of AUD is nearly twice as high in men than women
11.1 Correct the following statement:
Alcohol is a stimulant
Alcohol is both a nervous system stimulant and a depressant
11.1 Correct the following statement:
You can always detect alcohol on the breath of someone who has been drinking
It is NOT always possible to detect
11.1 Correct the following statement:
Alcohol can help a person sleep more soundly
It can interfere with sleep
11.1 Correct the following statement:
Impaired judgment occurs after other obvious signs of intoxication
It can occur long before motor signs become impaired
11.1 Correct the following statement:
Drinking several cups of coffee can counteract the effects of alcohol and allow the drinker to “sober up”
Drinking coffee has no effect on level of intoxication
11.1 Correct the following statement:
Exercise or a cold shower helps speed up the metabolization of alcohol
They do not
11.1 Correct the following statement:
Alcohol is less dangerous/addictive than other substances
Alcohol can be just as addictive and dangerous
11.1 Correct the following statement:
Liver damage shows up before brain damage in heavy drinkers
It can be present in organic brain damage first as well
11.1 Correct the following statement:
Everybody drinks
28% of men and 50% of women abstain from drinking in the USA
11.1 DSM-5 Criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder
A. A problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least 2 of to following, occurring within a 12-month period:
1. Alcohol is often taken in larger
amounts or over a longer period
than was intended
2. There is a persistent desire or
unsuccessful efforts to cut down or
control use
3. A great deal of time is spent in
activities necessary to obtain, use, or
recover from the effects of alcohol
4. Craving/strong desire to use alcohol
5. Recurrent alcohol use resulting in
failure to fulfill major role obligations
(work, school, home)
6. Continued use despite having
persistent or recurrent
social/interpersonal problems
caused/exacerbated by alcohol
7. Important social, occupational, or
recreational activities are given up or
reduced because of alcohol use
8. Recurrent alcohol use in situations in
which it is physically hazardous
9. 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
10. Tolerance, as defined by EITHER of
the following
a. Need for markedly increased
amounts to achieve the desired
intoxication
b. Diminished effect with continued
use of the same amount
11. Withdrawal, as manifested by
EITHER of the following:
a. Characteristic withdrawal
syndrome for alcohol
b. Alcohol is taken to relieve
withdrawal symptoms
11.1 List some side effects of excessive alcohol consumption
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Malnutrition, gastrointestinal symptoms
Chronic fatigue, oversensitivity, depression
Impaired reasoning, poor judgment, personality deterioration
Coarse/inappropriate behavior
Loss of pride in appearance, neglect of family, irritability, and unwillingness to discuss the issue at hand
Acute psychotic reactions: alcohol-induced psychotic disorders
Alcohol withdrawal delirium
Alcohol amnestic disorder
11.1 Alcohol withdrawal delirium (delirium tremens)
Acute delirium associated with withdrawal from alcohol after prolonged heavy consumption; characterized by intense anxiety, tremors, fever and sweating, and hallucinations.
11.1 Alcohol Amnestic Disorder (Korsakoff’s syndrome)
Caused by Vitamin D (thiamine) deficiency
Severe, memory deficit is sometimes accompanied by falsification of events
Trouble recognizing pictures, faces, rooms, etc.
Can lead to severe brain damage
11.2 Mesocorticolimbic Dopamine Pathway MCLP
Center of psychoactive drug activation in the brain
Involved in the release of dopamine and in mediating the rewarding properties of drugs
11.2 What does MCLP stand for?
Mesocorticolimbic Dopamine Pathway
11.2 Describe the genetic vulnerability associated with alcohol abuse problems
1/3 of those with AUD had at least one parent with an alcohol problem
Having one alcoholic parent increased the rate of AUD from 12.4% to 29.5%
Adoption studies show that children of parents with AUD were nearly 2x as likely to have alcohol problems in their late 20s
11.2 Describe an alcohol-risk personality
An individual who has an inherited predisposition toward alcohol abuse, is impulsive, prefers taking high risks, and is emotionally unstable
11.2 “Alcohol flush reaction”
Common in Asians and Native Americans
(Roughly 50% of Asians)
Flushing of skin, drop in blood pressure, heart palpitations, and nausea following drinking alcohol
Results from a mutant enzyme that fails to break alcohol down
11.2 List some disorders and symptoms that tend to have comorbidity with alcohol or drug abuse and dependencies
Schizophrenia (50% of schizophrenics struggle with dependency/abuse)
Antisocial personality disorder and aggression
Depressive disorders
11.2 Relate stress and alcohol use
Stressful life events, unsupportive relationships, and social expectations are associated with alcohol abuse
11.3 What fraction of those with AUD receive treatment?
Less than 1/3
11.3 What are the goals of alcohol abuse treatment?
Either abstinence from drinking or reduced consumption of alcohol
