Mod 3 (Sec 4)

Question 1

Substance use and mental health

Answer 1

• bidirectional
• substance use can precede the onset of a mental health problem and is considered a risk factor for dev. a mental disorder
• substance misuse can stem from attempts to self-medicate or cope w/ stress or symptoms of an emerging mental disorder through numbing

Question 2

Substance use and dev. brain

Answer 2

1. substance use problems and other behavioural addictions
2. mental health symptoms - anxiety, intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbances, depression
3. alcohol/drug use, behaviours w/ expectation of relief, compulsive eating, gambling, gaming
4. temporarily lowered state of anxiety/distress
5. increased use of substances to regulate distress

Question 3

Substances and dev. brain

Answer 3

• substance use can impact social behaviours such as taking part in regular exercise, dev. positive social supports, engaging in hobbies, coping w/ mindfulness
• persistent substance use can cause physical change within the brain

Question 4

Relationship of cannabis use and mental illness

Answer 4

• risk of developing psychosis increases w/ regular and high-potency THC cannabis us
• especially when use is frequent and early at age 16 and if there is family history

Question 5

Reducing risk of substance use

Answer 5

• avoid substances all together
• minimize freq. of use
• use modest amounts
• educate yourself
• be aware
• plan ahead

Question 6

Reducing risk: cannabis

Answer 6

• type of product (use low strength)
• impairment (avoid drivinh)
• biological considerations (use cannabis later in life)
• combination (don’t combine w/ other drugs)
• method of intake (don’t hold in lungs for long time)

Question 7

Sings of misuse

Answer 7

• difficulties coping w/ stress
• avoids engagement
• financial problems
• legal repercussions
• declining physical health
• difficulties w/ work
• declining mental health
• declining mental health
• difficulties in relationships
• difficulties w/ academic studies

Question 8

Noa

Answer 8

• has been partying and has less time to hang out w/ friends and teammates
• noticed feeling hungover and started to miss early lectures
• starts to inc. use of cannabis to several times a week
• while high, starts to experience panic feelings, over-worry, agitation
• feels lethargic and less motivated in morning
• his coach speaks to him about the drop in his performance

Question 9

Gabriel

Answer 9

• a friend offered him stimulant tablets to treat ADHD
• when he took them, found he was restless, on edge, irritable, had trouble falling asleep
• lost his appetite and skipped meals