Intro to Addiction Flashcards
terminology: drug, recreational drug use, drug misuse
drug = administered substance that alters physiological functioning
recreational drug use = drug used to experience its effects
drug misuse = drug that is not used as intended
drug classification (6)
- CNS depressants
- CNS stimulants
- opiates
- cannabinoids
- hallucinogens
- inhalants
CNS depressants (3)
- alcohol
- barbiturates
- sedatives
CNS stimulants (4)
- cocaine
- amphetamines
- caffeine
- nicotine
opiates (4)
- heroin
- oxycodone
- morphine
- methadone
hallucinogens (4)
- lsd (acid)
- mescaline
- psilocybin (mush)
- mdma
inhalants (4)
- aerosol sprays
- glues
- paint thinner
- gasoline
what is addiction (4)
chronic (1), relapsing (2) brain disorder characterized by a compulsive desire (3) to use a drug despite catastrophic consequences (4)
what does addiction involve (3)
- compulsive use in the face of consequences
- decreased pleasure from the drug
- loss of control over use
biological basis of addiction
disrupts the normal, healthy functioning of organ in the body (like diabetes and the pancreas) -> abnormalities in brain anatomy, function and chemistry
addiction cycle phases (3)
- binge/intoxication -> drug is being consumed
- withdrawal/negative affect -> drug is ceased
- preoccupation/anticipation -> drug-seeking behavior
brain regions associated with each phase in the addiction cycle (3)
- binge/intoxication -> basal ganglia (reward center)
- withdrawal/negative affect -> extended amygdala
- preoccupation/anticipation -> PFC
summary of binge/intoxication phase (4)
- DA released in reward centers (BG) of the brain
- brain becomes hypersensitive to drug cues -> strong feelings of craving
- increased craving for drug + decreased liking of drug
- cue-craving association stored in brain as enduring memory; relapse is possible even after long abstinence
role of DA in addiction (3)
- DA = motivation to repeat behaviors that help us survive (learn smth new -> DA release)
- drugs cause unnaturally large releases of DA in BG = creates motivation to consume the drug again
- assigns salience to drug and drug-related things (cues)
- DA facilitates consolidation of maladaptive memory traces connected to drug in the hippocampus
what brain pathway facilitates natural and drug rewards and reinforcement
mesolimbic pathway
activation of VTA neurons creates
increased levels of DA in NAc
what is the mesolimbic pathway
dopaminergic pathway connecting VTA to NAc
DA levels in reward centers when consuming high vs low fat diet
greater DA release when consuming high fat diet
graphical elements that show level of addiction severeness
- peak of DA
- how fast it reaches the peak and how fast it drops