Module 3: Alcohol, Recreational Drugs, and Mental Health

Question 1

What is the most important brain area that undergoes major development in early adulthood?

Answer 1

Frontal lobe

Question 2

The frontal lobe is responsible for many higher-level cognitive abilities such as…

Answer 2

Planning
Goal directed behaviour
Decision making
Problem solving
Cognitive control (suppressing impulses)

Question 3

When the brain is developing ____ matter decreases and _____ matter increases

Answer 3

grey; white

Question 4

Why is it not a negative thinking that grey matter decreases during brain development

Answer 4

Represents synaptic pruning which is vital to healthy brain development

Question 5

What are 3 important neurodevelopmental processes occurring in the brain during adolescence?

Answer 5

1. Myelination
2. Axonal growth
3. Synaptic pruning

Question 6

Substance use falls within a spectrum of:

Answer 6

use, misuse, and abuse

Question 7

Substance USE refers to:

Answer 7

The use of a psychoactive substance (caffeine, alcohol, cannabis, etc.)

Question 8

Substance MISUSE refers to:

Answer 8

The use of a psychoactive substance in a way that causes concern and/or elevates the risk of reduced well-being

Examples of substance misuse:
- regular or excess use when one should be in class, studying, etc.
- higher doses
- binge drinking

Question 9

Substance use disorder or substance ABUSE refers to:

Answer 9

Clinically significant abuse or dependency

Question 10

What is the bidirectional relationship between mental health and substance use

Answer 10

Substance abuse can contribute to the development and worsening of mental health problems

Mental health problems can increase the likelihood of substance use

Question 11

How does substance use affect cognition, attention, and learning?

Answer 11

Cognition
- Altered efficiency of brain functions

Attention
- Reduced attention

Learning
- Poorer university performance

Question 12

Evidence from WHO College Mental Health Survey indicates that most substance misuse disorders arise _____ starting university

Answer 12

after

Question 13

Occasional binge drinking is considered to be a form of substance _____ and regular binge drinking is considered to be a form of substance ______

Answer 13

misuse; abuse

Question 14

What are some short-term effects of alcohol?

Answer 14

Anxiety reduction
Slower brain activity
Poor judgement
Hangover
Poor quality sleep

Question 15

What are some long-term effects of alcohol?

Answer 15

Cancer
Weakened immune system
Liver disease

Question 16

Endocannabinoid system

Answer 16

Involved in appetite, pain, immune system, concentration, etc.

Question 17

Anandamide

Answer 17

A cannabinoid secreted naturally by our body

Question 18

THC and CBD and other cannabinoids can connect to the receptors in the endocannabinoid system which can ______ the system

Answer 18

disrupt

Question 19

What two substances are both CNS depressants?

Answer 19

Alcohol and cannabis

Question 20

Regular cannabis use is associated with:

Answer 20

Lower motivation
Slower brain processing speed and efficiency
Anxiety
Depression
Psychosis

Question 21

Long-term toxic changes in brain function associated with MDMA

Answer 21

Changes in serotonin which affects mood, thinking, and reward processing

Question 22

Long-term toxic changes in brain function associated with cocaine

Answer 22

Cardiovascular problems
Addiction

Question 23

What are indirect pathways of substance use?

What are some ways in which substance use can indirectly affect academic performance?

Answer 23

Sleep disturbance
Unhealthy eating habits
Not exercising
Lack of routine

Question 24

What are direct pathways of substance use?

What are some ways in which substance use can directly affect academic performance?

Answer 24

Cognitive deficits
Increase in mental health problems

Question 25

Mental illnesses that are often comorbid with substance abuse:

Answer 25

ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia

Question 26

Use of a psychoactive substance in a way that causes concern, reduces well-being, and increases the risk of a mental health problem

Answer 26

Substance use disorder

Question 27

Use of a psychoactive substance or medication in a way other than prescribed

Answer 27

Substance misuse

Question 28

Use of a substance characterized by psychological and physiological aspects

Answer 28

Substance use

Question 29

What are some physical changes in the brain that can occur due to substance use?

Answer 29

Brain shrinkage
Impairment in ability to process information

Question 30

Substance use can affect the amygdala which means

Answer 30

Oversensitivity to stress
Feeling unsafe

Question 31

Substance use can affect the frontal lobe which means

Answer 31

Cannot regulate properly
Cannot control impulses to drink or take drugs

Question 32

Substance use can affect the limbic system which means

Answer 32

Brain stops producing as much dopamine, inability to experience pleasure

Question 33

Substance use kills white cells in the brain which…

Answer 33

impair connection and communication between other cells

Question 34

Can a person return to normal brain function via abstinence?

Answer 34

YES

Question 35

What are 3 factors that increase the risk of developing schizophrenia from cannabis use?

Answer 35

Increased frequency of use
Younger age of first use
Family history of schizophrenia

Question 36

Some of the most significant warning signs that substance use has become a problem relates to impairment in functioning such as:

Answer 36

Difficulty coping with stress
Avoiding engagement
Financial problems
Legal repercussions
Declining physical health
Difficulties with work
Declining mental health
Difficulties in relationships
Difficulties with academics