DRUGS Flashcards
What is Tolerance?
- Requires more drug to produce same effect
OR - Decreased sensitivity to a drug with same dose
Dependence:
Occurs when a drug becomes so incorporated into the functioning of the body’s cells that it becomes necessary for “normal” functioning
Craving:
Strong desire to engage in behavior or consume a substance
Withdrawal:
Compensatory action of the nervous system that looks like the opposite action of a dru
What is Addiction?
A chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.
Dependence on a drug such that stopping its use results in withdrawal symptoms
Drugs change the brain’s structure and how it works
Why do people take drugs?
- 4.
Feel good/Mimic natural highs Feel better
Perform better Curiosity/Perceived norm
- 4.
Development of Drug Abuse
Initial + effects of drug use
Pleasurable activities become less pleasurable Drug use becomes necessary to feel “normal” Continued seeking/use of drug despite problems
Initial decision: voluntary
Continued use: when drug use takes over, ability to exert self-control may become impaired
Areas most effected by drug use:
Brain stem Limbic system Cerebral cortex
Frontal cortex/forebr
Drugs and the Brain
Drugs tap into brain’s communication system and interfere with the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information
Marijuana and heroin: Chemical structures mimic normal neurotransmitters
Amphetamine and cocaine: Cause nerve cells to release abnormally large amounts
Dopamine & Drugs
regulates movement, emotion, cognition, motivation, feelings of pleasure
• Some drugs can release 2-10 times the amount of dopamine that natural rewards do (eating and sex)
• Immediate effects (smoking, injection) and longer lasting effects
• Powerful rewards motivate people to take drugs again and again
• Abusers need to take drugs to try and bring dopamine functions back to normal
• Tolerance = needed to take larger amounts of drug
Serotonin:
regulates mood and sleep
Glutamate:
regulates learning and memory
Medical Consequences:
Cardiovascular disease • Stroke • Cancer • HIV/AIDS • Hepatitis B and C • Lung disease • Mental Disorders • Negative effects of prenatal drug use on infants and children
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Mental Health Consequences:
Depression
Anxiety
Bipolar disorder
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) Antisocial personality disorder
Overlapping genetic vulnerabilities Overlapping environmental triggers Involvement of similar brain regions
Treatment and Recovery
like other chronic diseases Relapse rates = how often symptoms recur Both biological and behavioral components must be addressed Abstinence and restored functioning is often a long- term process Treatment and Recovery • • • • Support group participation
Drug abuse and mental illness are developmental disease
early exposure causes more problems
early symptoms of mental illness puts them at higer risk for drug use and abuse
Behavioral therapy
enage in treatment
modify attitude
life skills to handle stress
handle environmental cues
medication
treatment withdrawal
staying in treatment
preventing relapse
CBT
Motivation incentives
rewards for being able to engage in specific behaviors
Motivation interviewing
Group Therapy
