DRUG DEPENDENCE Flashcards
What is drug dependence?
cluster of physiological, behaviours and cognitive phenomena in which the use of substances/class of substances, takes on a much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviours that once had greater value
what is addiction?
chronic disease characterised by drug seeking and use that is compulsive or difficult to control despite harmful consequences
- initial decision is voluntary
Effects of drug dependence?
- financial problems
- cost of habit up to 1400
- relationship problems
- domestic violence
- crime
- reduced education + employment
What is psychological dependence
compulsive use of a substance
due to psychological effect- ‘high’ from using substance
Primacy -substance use (& obtaining substance) becomes number on goal
Use of substance as a psychological ‘crutch’
What is physical dependence?
Body becomes used to the regular consumption of a substance
Tolerance- effects of substance lessen with time
Withdrawal-adverse symptoms when not taking substance
In some cases, withdrawal can cause serious medical effects- can be lethal
What is the mesocorticolimbic pathway?
dopamine - pleasure neurotransmitter
- stimulation to the ventral tegmental area leading to increase in dopaminergic activity in 2 pathways
mesolimbic pahthway: to nucleus accumbent -> pleasure
Mesocorticol pathway: to prefrontal cortex -> drive
What is physical dependence?
chronic use of a substance leads to the body ‘getting used’ to it- homeostasis
What is tolerance?
a decreasing response to repeated constant doses of a drug or the need for increasing doses to maintain a constant response
What is withdrawal symptoms
unpleasant effects experienced on abrupt cessation or dose reduction of a drug
What is the pharmacological treatment for:
For alcohol: long acting benzodiazepine e.g. chloradiazepoxide
For opioids: switch to long acting opioid e.g. methadone & wean dose
For nicotine: nicotine patches, gum, lozenges
What is stigma
- negative attitudes experiences by drug users
