Drug use and addiction (chpt. 7)

Question 1

Dopaminergic system

Answer 1

dopaminergic system gives rise to feelings of euphoria high, buzz, rush, a system that is sometimes referred to as the pleasure seeking system

Question 2

Substance Abuse

Answer 2

refers to the tendency to use a substance to excess either more than was prescribed by a doctor or more than the person can handle without physical and psychological ill effects

‘Abuse’ must mean harm occurs (to self or others).

Question 3

Psychoactive drug

Answer 3

effects mood, consciousness, or both. It might be a prescription drug such as valium or it could be a nonprescription drug

Question 4

Craving

Answer 4

refers to the strong desire to ingest a drug or drugs

Question 5

Drug addiction

Answer 5

Periodic or chronic intoxication produced by repeated consumption of a drug.” –World Health Organization

Question 6

Tolerance

Answer 6

: Increased amounts of a drug are needed for the same effect.

Question 7

Opponent Process Theory

Answer 7

It is not true that ‘experience of positive affect likely to lead to a sharp increase in negative affect’
We do not ‘get the blues’ every time we enjoy ourselves a lot.
–sometimes we feel great afterward.
Drug effects are not the same as emotional affects.
Drug effects are different from emotions, and different for each drug.

Opponent process (OP) is about body chemistry.
E.g., OP for long heroin abuse would be chemicals opposite of sedation and pain-relief
–so, irritable wakefulness and pain.
OP accumulates and produces increased drug tolerance.

Question 8

Kolb, 1962

Answer 8

Hedonists who use drugs for euphoria are less likely to become addicted than

‘Hedonist’ drug abusers can become neurotics because of the drug use.
Neurosis is partly ‘nurture,’ not only genetic inheritance.
Compare text Figure 7-3 (p. 184):
Hedonist drinking often leads to addictive drinking.
The idea that ‘hedonists’ (or any group) do not need to worry about addiction is dangerous.
As I said earlier, Franken is too much of an optimist about alcoholism.

Question 9

ADHD

Answer 9

A person is hyperactive.
Hyperactivity (e.g., ADHD) is a result of under-arousal.
The over-activity stimulates arousal.
Drugs also stimulate arousal
–this is why ADHD is treated by stimulants.

Question 10

Sensation seekers

Answer 10

Drug use is also more likely if:
People are sensation-seekers.
These are mostly extraverts.
Low MAO (monoamine oxidase enzyme are like scissors ) = high dopamine;
‘most new things seem fun.’
–Drugs are just one kind of ‘new thing.’

Question 11

Self Control

Answer 11

Addiction is ‘surrendering self-control,’

so, people that have with self-control to start with are likely to have more substance-abuse problems.