Drug Abuse and Dependence Flashcards
What is addiction?
chronic relapsing disorder characterised by:
Compulsion to seek and take the drug
Loss of control in limiting intake
Emergence of a negative emotional state (dysphoria, anxiety, irritability)
How do you diagnose drug addiction (substance use disorder)?
A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by 2 or more of the following occurring within a 12-month period:
DSM-5: SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER:
Taken in larger amounts than intended
Unsuccessful efforts to reduce or control use
Excessive time spent using, obtaining, or recovering from use
Failure to fulfil major role obligations
Withdrawal reactions
Tolerance effects
Craving (new)
Factors contributing to vulnerability to develop addiction
Genetic
Environmental
Drug-induced effects
Mental health disorder comorbidity with drug addiction
Emotional disorders key predictor of alcohol use
Social anxiety disorders are severe in 60% of drug abusers seeking help
Accompanied by more severe symptoms, longer illness duration, higher service utilisation and higher relapse rates
Addiction stages:
Physical withdrawal symptoms decrease over time whereas emotional withdrawal symptoms persist for months
Positive reinforcement- original driving source, wanting to take the drug again as it feels rewarding and provides pleasure/relief/gratification
Reward
Negative reinforcement- secondary driving source, lack of drug creates negative emotions which spurs the user to take drugs again
- anti-reward
Tolerance:
when a person’s reaction to a drug decreases such that larger doses are needed to achieve the same effect
Dependence:
an adaptive state that develops from repeated drug administration and which results in the emergence of physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of drug use
Physical, characterised by abstinence syndrome (LC)
Sweating, gooseflesh (cold turkey), irritability, aggression
Psychological, craving to avoid withdrawal effects
