Chapter 9: Drugs Flashcards
What is a drug?
Any chemical other than food intended to affect the structure or function of the body
What is a psychoactive drug?
A chemical that alters consciousness or experience
What is intoxication?
The state of being poisoned.
Why is addiction a subjective term?
Many people use it on different levels compared to the textbook definition
What did the tree of addiction show?
That people can get addicted to many things not just drugs
What years did drug use spike? Why was there a spike?
1960/1970, spiked because the war ended and people wanted to have fun and the bad effects of drugs yet
What ages is addiction most common?
Between the ages of 18 and 25
What are the 5 characteristics of addictive behavior?
- Negative consequences
- Loss of control
- Cravings/convulsions
- Reinforcement
- Escalation (Need higher doses to feel the same high)
What is drug habituation?
A lesser version of addiction where there is no convulsions or increased dosages
List the 5 stages of the development of addiction .
- Begins with engagement in the behavior to bring pleasure or avoid pain
- If it works the person will repeat it and become dependent
- Dosage may need to be increased to reach pleasure
- Behavior becomes central in the persons life
- Behavior no long brings pleasure, just avoids the pain of going without it
How does a person become addicted based on brain chemistry?
Drug takes advantage of the natural reward system and enhances it when the person takes the drug. The brain changes its structure to adapt to these changes and produces less dopamine. This causes people to need the drug even to feel normal.
List some common addictions.
Drugs, sex, work, gambling, shopping, internet
What are the symptoms of drug dependence?
Developing tolerance, experiences withdrawal, expressing desire to cut down, spends lots of time trying to get substance or recovering from effects, giving up important responsibilities, continuing to use it despite its negative consequences
Who is at greater risk for trying drugs?
Young people, males, troubled adolescents, thrill seekers, dysfunctional families, a peer group that supports drugs, being poor, girls dating boys that are older
What is the DSM-2013?
The official book of definitions for psychiatric problems