Drug Use and Abuse

Question 1

Psychopharmacology

Answer 1

Drug induced changes in mood, thinking, and behaviour

Question 2

Neuropharmacology

Answer 2

Drugs induced changes in functioning of cells in the nervous system

Question 3

DSM-IV Criteria For Substance Abuse:

Answer 3

• A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment of distress, as manifested by one or more of the following, occurring within a 12 month period
○ Recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home
○ Recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous
○ Recurrent substance related legal problems
○ Continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal caused by effects of substance
Symptoms have never met the criteria for substance dependence

Question 4

DSM-IV Criteria For Substance Dependence:

Answer 4

• A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment of distress, as manifested by one or more of the following, occurring within a 12 month period
○ Tolerance
○ Withdrawal
○ Substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended
○ There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use
○ A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover from its effects
○ Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use
Substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused by the substance

Question 5

Tolerance

Answer 5

§ Need for markedly increased amounts of substance to achieve desired effect
Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance

Question 6

Withdrawal

Answer 6

§ Characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance

Same or closely related substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms

Question 7

Drug Craving:

Answer 7

Strong urge to take the drug

Question 8

Continuum of Drug Use:

Answer 8

• Chronic relapsing very common- periods of remission, followed by relapse (approximately 90% of addictive individuals will relapse)
• Not all users will show signs of substance abuse or dependence
Long term addicts may have history of shifts along continuum

Diagram