Chapter 11: Addictive Disorders

Question 1

What is substance abuse?

Answer 1

Excessive or harmful use of drugs and alcohol

Question 2

What is the most commonly abused substance?

Answer 2

Alcohol

Question 3

What is a substance use disorder?

Answer 3

Problematic or harmful use of substances, leading to significant impairment or distress

Question 4

What are psychoactive substances?

Answer 4

Psychoactive substances alter moods, thought processes, or other psychological states

Question 5

How do substance related disorders arise?

Answer 5

When psychoactive substances are used excessively

Question 6

What is addiction?

Answer 6

Compulsive drug-seeking behavior and loss of control over drug use
Withdrawal symptoms occur when the use is discontinued due to physiological dependence
Increased tolerance to the drug’s effects

Question 7

What are the DSM-5 criteria for substance-use disorder?

Answer 7

At least 2 of the following over a 12-month period, causing significant impairment or distress:
Quantity of substance/time spent using more than intended
Efforts to control unsuccessful due to persistent desire
Considerable time spent using/ recovering/ obtaining
Strong desire/ craving/ urge
Interferes with major role obligations
Use continues despite harmful social/ interpersonal effects
Avoid/ reduce participation in social/ work/ leisure activities
Use when physically hazardous
Continued use when physical/ psychological harm
Tolerance develops etc
Withdrawal symptoms etc

Question 8

What are the substances associated with abuse, with example?

Answer 8

Prescription medications (treat anxiety, insomnia, pain)
Legal substances (alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, household chemicals)
Illegal substances (cocaine, heroin)

Question 9

What are depressants?

Answer 9

Cause nervous system to slow down
For example, alcohol

Question 10

What are three patterns of drinking alcohol?

Answer 10

Moderate drinking: lower risk patterns of drinking, no more than one drink for women or two drinks for men per day
Heavy drinking: levels exceeding moderate
Binge drinking: four to five drinks or more on a single occasion for men, four or more drinks for women

Question 11

What can alcohol poisoning cause?

Answer 11

Can result in impaired breathing, coma, and death

Question 12

What is aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)?

Answer 12

An enzyme used to counteract toxins that build up as our bodies metabolize alcohol

Question 13

What is delirium tremens?

Answer 13

Life-threatening condition produced by alcohol withdrawal symptoms

Question 14

What are opioids?

Answer 14

Pain-killing agents that depress the central nervous system
Highly addictive
Produce both euphoria and drowsiness

Question 15

What are some examples of opioids?

Answer 15

Illegal substances: heroin and opium
Prescription pain relievers: morphine, codeine, oxycodone

Question 16

What are sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics?

Answer 16

Have calming effects
Used to treat agitation, muscle tension, insomnia, and anxiety
Hypnotics: induce sleep
Anxiolytics: reduce anxiety

Question 17

What do barbiturates and benzodiazepines do?

Answer 17

Rapid anxiolytic effects in moderate doses
Hypnotic effects in higher doses

Question 18

What are the effects of sedatives?

Answer 18

Drowsiness, impaired judgment, and diminished motor skills
Excessive use can lead to accidental overdose and death (combining alcohol with sedatives increases danger)
High potential for tolerance and physiological dependence
(withdrawal symptoms)

Question 19

What are stimulants?

Answer 19

Speed up central nervous system activity
Produce feelings of euphoria and well-being
Improve mental and physical performance
Reduce appetite and prevent sleep
Unwanted effects: anxiety, restlessness, agitation, paranoia
Tolerance to the stimulant develops rapidly

Question 20

What are examples of stimulants?

Answer 20

Caffeine
Amphetamines
Cocaine

Question 21

What is caffeine?

Answer 21

Found in coffee, chocolate, tea, and soft drinks
Most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world
Withdrawal symptoms: headache, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating

Question 22

What are amphetamines?

Answer 22

Also known as “uppers”
Speed up central nervous system activity
Prescribed for attention and sleep disorders
Increasingly used illicitly
Can cause psychosis and brain damage
Methamphetamine: can cause permanent damage to heart, high potential for abuse and addiction

Question 23

What is cocaine?

Answer 23

Cocaine has a high potential for addiction
Crack: potent form of cocaine produced by heating cocaine with other substances, typically smoked, produces immediate but short-lived effects
Cocaine withdrawal: lethargy and depression
Cocaine users sometimes experience acute psychiatric symptoms
Users often have a shortened life span

Question 24

What are hallucinogens?

Answer 24

Psychedelics
Produces vivid sensory awareness (hallucinations)
Traditional hallucinogens are derived from natural sources
Effects can vary significantly (“good trips” versus “bad trips”)
Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder: experiencing distressing recurrence of hallucinations or other sensations weeks or even years after drug intake
Not highly addictive

Question 25

What are dissociative anesthetics?

Answer 25

Produce dream-like detachment
Phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine (Special K)
Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Question 26

What is Phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine (Special K)?

Answer 26

Highly dangerous and addictive
PCP and Special K are very similar chemically, and have the potential to produce a phencyclidine-use disorder
Dissociative, stimulant, depressant, amnesic, and hallucinogenic properties associated with club drugs

Question 27

What is Dextromethorphan (DXM)?

Answer 27

Ingredient in over-the-counter cold medicines
“Robotripping” still occurs as adolescent and young adults use cough and cold medicines to get high
Consuming large quantities can result in hyperthermia

Question 28

What are substances with mixed chemical properties?

Answer 28

Substances that have varied effects on the brain and central nervous system

Question 29

What substances have mixed chemical properties?

Answer 29

Nicotine
Cannabis
Inhalants
MDMA (ecstasy)

Question 30

What is nicotine?

Answer 30

Releases both adrenaline and dopamine
Vaping has gained popularity among nonsmokers and those trying to quit smoking

Question 31

What is cannabis?

Answer 31

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug worldwide

Question 32

What are inhalants?

Answer 32

The use of inhalants by children and adolescents was once considered a silent epidemic
Any episode of inhalant use, even in first-time users, can result in stroke

Question 33

What is ecstasy?

Answer 33

Ecstasy has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties
MDMA and others

Question 34

What are designer drugs?

Answer 34

Substances manufactured as recreational drugs
Ecstasy (MDMA), Synthetic marijuana, MDPV marketed as “bath salts” or “plant food”, DOM known as STP, Bromo-Dragonfly, MXE, Opioid substances

Question 35

What happens when multiple substances are combined?

Answer 35

Synergistic effect: Interactions between the substances intensify effects, can create unique side effects

Question 36

What are dangerous combinations of drugs?

Answer 36

Tranquilizers and alcohol
Stimulants and sleeping pills
Multiple drug use involving ecstasy
Alcohol and energy drinks (caffeine)

Question 37

How does an individual progress from substance use to abuse?

Answer 37

Individual decides to experiment with drugs
Drug begins to serve important purpose; consumption continues
Brain chemistry becomes altered from chronic use: results in physiological dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and cravings
Lifestyle changes occur due to chronic abuse

Question 38

What is gambling disorder?

Answer 38

Compulsive desire to engage in gambling activities
Diagnosed when a person exhibits at least four defining characteristics in 12 months
May be mild, moderately severe, or severe
Relatively uncommon

Question 39

What is Internet Gaming Disorder?

Answer 39

Condition involving excessive and prolonged engagement in computerized or Internet games
Criteria are similar to gambling disorder
A significant concern in Asian countries
Most common among adolescent males