Chapter 9 - Substance Abuse and Dependence

Question 1

substance-induced disorders

Answer 1

Disorders, such as intoxication, that can be induced by using psychoactive substances.

Question 2

intoxication

Answer 2

A state of drunkenness or of being “high.”

Question 3

substance use disorders

Answer 3

Disorders characterized by maladaptive use of psychoactive substances (e.g., substance dependence)

Question 4

substance abuse

Answer 4

The continued use of a psychoactive drug despite the knowledge that it is causing social, occupational, psychological, or physical problems.

Question 5

substance dependence

Answer 5

Impaired control over the suse of a psychoactive substance; often characterized by physiological dependence.

Question 6

tolerance

Answer 6

Physical habituation to a drug such that with frequent use, higher doses are needed to achieve the same effects.

Question 7

withdrawal syndrome

(also called abstinence syndrome)

Answer 7

A characteristic cluster of symptoms following the sudden reduction or cessation of use of a psychoactive substance after physiological dependence has developed.

Question 8

addiction

Answer 8

Impaired control over the use of a chemical substance, accompanied by physiological dependence.

Question 9

physiological dependence

Answer 9

A condition in which the dru user’s body comes to depend on a steady supply of the substance.

Question 10

psychological dependence

Answer 10

Compulusive use of a substance to meet a psychological need.

Question 11

depressant

Answer 11

A drug that lowers the level of activity of the central nervous system (CNS).

Question 12

alcoholism

Answer 12

An alcohol dependence disorder or addiction that results in serious personal social, occupational, or health problems.

Question 13

barbiturates

Answer 13

Sedative drugs that are depressants with high addictive potential

(e.g., amobarbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, and secobarbital, are depressants or sedatives; their medical uses include easing anxiety and tension, dulling pain, treating epilepsy, and high blood pressure. Alcohol is also considered a barbiturate).

Question 14

narcotics

Answer 14

Drugs that are used medically for pain relief but also have strong addictive potential.

Question 15

endorphins

Answer 15

Natural substances that function as neurotransmitters in the brain and are similar in their effects to opiods.

Question 16

morphine

Answer 16

A strongly addictive narcotic derived from the opium poppy that relieves pain and induces feelings of well-being.

Question 17

heroin

Answer 17

A narcotic derived from morphine that has strong addictive properties.

Question 18

stimulants

Answer 18

Psychoactive substances that increase the activity of the central nervous system.

Question 19

amphetamines

Answer 19

A class of synthetic stimulants that activate the CNS, producing heightened states of arousal and feelings of pleasure.

Question 20

amphetamine psychosis

Answer 20

A psychotic state characterized by hallucinations and delusions, induced by ingestion of amphetamines.

Question 21

cocaine

Answer 21

A stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca plant.

Question 22

crack

Answer 22

The hardened, smokable form of cocaine.

Question 23

hallucinogens

Answer 23

Substances that cause hallucinations.

Question 24

marijuana

Answer 24

A hallucinogenic drug derived from the leaves and stems of the plant Cannabis sativa.

Question 25

detoxification

Answer 25

The process of ridding the system of alcohol or other drugs under supervised conditions.

Question 26

methadone

Answer 26

A synthetic opiate that is used to help people who are addicted to heroin to abstain from it without experiencing a withdrawal syndrome.

Question 27

naltrexone

Answer 27

A drug that blocks the high from alcohol as well as opiates.

Question 28

How does the DSM distinguish between substance abuse disorders and substance dependence disorders?

Answer 28

According to the DSM, a substance abuse disorder is a pattern of recurrent use of a substance that repeatedly leads to damaging consequences. Substance dependence disorders involve impaired control over use of a substance and often include features of physiological dependence on the substance, as manifest by the development of tolerance or an abstinence (withdrawal) syndrome.

Question 29

What do we mean by the terms addiction and psychological dependence?

Answer 29

Although different people use the term addiction differently, it is used here to refer to the habitual or compulsive use of a substance combined with the development of physiological dependence. Psychological dependence is the compulsive use of a substance, with or without the development of physiological dependence.

Question 30

What are depressants?

Answer 30

Depressants are drugs that depress or slow down nervous system activity. The include alcohol, sedatives, minor tranquilizers, and opioids. Their effects include intoxication, impaired coordination, slurred speech, and impaired intellectual functioning.

Question 31

What are some of the effects linked to chronic alcohol abuse?

Answer 31

Alcohol-induced persisting amnestic disorder (Korsakoff’s syndrome), cirrhosis of the liver, fetal alcohol syndrome, and other physical health problems.

Question 32

What are barbiturates?

Answer 32

Barbiturates are depressants or sedatives that have been used medically for short-term relief of anxiety and treatment of epilepsy, among other uses.

Question 33

What are opioids?

Answer 33

Opioids such as morphine and heroin are derived from the opium poppy. Others are synthesized. Opioids are used medically for relief of pain and are strongly addictive.

Question 34

What are stimulants?

Answer 34

Stimulants increase the activity of the CNS. Amphetamines and cocaine are stimulants that increase the availability of neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to heightened states of arousal and pleasurable feelings. High doses can produce psychotic reactions that mimic features of paranoid schizophrenia. Habitual cocaine use can lead to avariety of health problems, and an overdose can cause sudden death. Repeated use of nicotine, a mild stimulant found in tobacco, leads to physiological dependence.

Question 35

What are hallucinogens?

Answer 35

Hallucinogens are drugs that distort sensory perceptions and can induce hallucinations. They include LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline. Other drugs with similar effects are cannabis (marijuana) and phenocyclidine (PCP). Although these drugs may not lead to phsiolgocial dependence, psychological dependence may occur.

Question 36

How does the biological perspective view the causes of substance abuse and dependence?

Answer 36

The biological perspective focuses on uncovering the biological pathways that may explain mechanisms of physiological dependence. The biological perspective spawns the disease model, which posits that alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse are disease processes.

Question 37

How does the behavioural/learning perspective view the causes of substance abuse and dependence?

Answer 37

Learning perspectives view substance abuse disorders as learned patterns of behaviour, with roles for classical and operant conditioning and observational learning.

Question 38

How does the cognitive perspective view the causes of substance abuse and dependence?

Answer 38

Cognitive perspectives focus on roles of attitudes, beliefs, and expectancies in accounting for substance use and abuse.

Question 39

How does the cognitive perspective view the causes of substance abuse and dependence?

Answer 39

Cognitive perspectives focus on roles of attitudes, beliefs, and expectancies in accounting for substance use and abuse.

Question 40

How does the sociocultural perspective view the causes of substance abuse and dependence?

Answer 40

Sociocultural perspectives emphasize the cultural, group, and social factors that underlie drug-use patterns, including the role of peer pressure in determining adolescent drug use.

Question 41

How does the psychodynamic perspective view the causes of substance abuse and dependence?

Answer 41

Psychodynamic theorists view the problem of substance abuse, such as excessive drinking and habitual smoking, as signs of an oral fixation.

Question 42

What treatment approaches are used to help people overcome problems of substance abuse and dependence?

Biological approaches

Answer 42

Biological approaches to substance abuse disorders include detoxification; the use of drugs such as disufiram, methadone, naltrexone, and antidepressants; and nicotine replacement therapy.

Question 43

What treatment approaches are used to help people overcome problems of substance abuse and dependence?

Residential approaches

Answer 43

Residential treatment approaches include hospitals and therapeutic residences.

Question 44

What treatment approaches are used to help people overcome problems of substance abuse and dependence?

Nonprofessional support groups

Answer 44

Nonprofessional support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, promote abstinence within a supportive group setting.

Question 45

What treatment approaches are used to help people overcome problems of substance abuse and dependence?

Psychodynamic approaches

Answer 45

Psychodynamic therapists focus on uncovering the inner conflicts originating in childhood that they believe lie at the root of substance abuse problems.

Question 46

Regardless of the initial success of a treatment technique, relapse remains a pressing problem in treating people with substance abuse problems.

Describe relapse prevention.

Answer 46

Relapse-prevention training employs cognitive-behavioural techniques to help recovering substance abusers cope with high-risk situations and prevent lapses from becoming relapses by interpreting lapses in less damaging ways.