Chapter 1 Intro Flashcards
What is a psychoactive drug?
Any agent that causes a psychological effect, especially if the drug is taken purposefully for those effects and the effects are mediated by the CNS
Psychotherapeutic drug
A drug that is taken to treat a psychological disorder
Recreational drug
A drug that is taken for enjoyment or interest
What aspects of drug use affect our reaction to that use?
- What drug are we talking about?
- Who is taking the drug?
- When and/or where is the drug being used?
- Why is the drug being used?
- How is the drug taken?
- How much is being taken?
- How often is the drug being used?
Difference between drug use and drug abuse?
Can the user stop? Does the user continue despite problems? Intentions?
If you take more of a drug, do you simply get more of an effect?
Not necessarily. The degree but also the type of effect is dose-dependent. Some effects emerge at high doses, while others intensify.
Trends in drug use
1960s: LSD was a symbol of the counterculture, rejection of the establishment, seeking entertainment
1970s: Marijuana was a symbol of youthful rebellion, similar to LSD
1980s: Powder cocaine was a symbol of the “yuppie” lifestyle (make a lot of money during the day, party all night)
1990s: ecstasy was associated with raves and an alternative lifestyle, but interest in a healthier “new age” lifestyle was associated with less drug use
2000s+: the drug concern was/is prescription opiates, in particular Oxycontin, but meth has also become a drug of concern. But it’s noteworthy that in the last few years, economists have identified a trilogy of “disease of despair”: drug use, alcoholism, and suicide
What are the ways of tracking drug use over time in specific populations?
DAWN, Monitoring the Future, and National Survey of Drug Use and Health
DAWN (Drug Abuse Warning Network)
Collected information about ER visits related to drugs and about deaths related to drugs
Monitoring the Future
Collects information about drug use from high school students; 8th and 12th grades most intensely but 10th grade and college as well
National Survey of Drug Use and Health
A house-to-house survey that collects information from a range of ages
Issues in studying drug use with surveys
- Accuracy in reporting
- What is being asked
- Most studies of interventions involve marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco
- Drug use is at low levels currently
Risk Factors Associated with Drug Use by Adolescents
- having friends who use that drug or other substances
- engaging in frequent fights, stealing, or other antisocial activities
- perceiving that substance use is prevalent at their school
- knowing adults who use the substance or other substances
- having a positive attitude toward substance use
Protective Factors Associated with Drug Use by Adolescents
- perceiving that there are strong sanctions against substance use at school
- having parents as a source of social support
- being committed to school
- believing that religion is important and frequently attending religious services
- participating in two or more extracurricular activities
