module 4 - substance abusing offenders Flashcards
what is the oxford dictionary’s definition of a drug?
a substance that impacts the body in a physiological sense once ingested
what percent of Canadians accused of homicide were under the influence of an intoxicating substance at the time of the offence in 2013?
almost 75%
what percentage of physical assaults co-occurred with with drug-related offences? weapon related crimes?
physical assault: 29%
weapon-related crimes: 27%
what does the dopamine theory of reward and addictions state?
drugs stimulate the dopamine neurotransmitter system in the brain, which in turn causes direct pleasurable or euphoric sensations
what does the dopamine theory of reward and addiction underscore about brain function?
underscores how the brain physically changes in response to repeated drug use - namely in the areas of judgement, decision making, learning, memory, and behaviour control
what are some reasons that the dopamine theory of reward and addiction has been criticized?
- not all drugs actually alter the brain’s dopamine neurotransmitter system
- dopamine release leads to increased impulsivity, which in turn leads to addiction, rather than euphoria being the cause of addiction
which genetic traits can predict adolescent drug use? (4)
- alienation
- anger
- interaction anxiety
- lower self-regulation
what does the social learning perspective of drug addiction underscore?
individual choice; addiction is a rational choice in which individuals opt for short-term rewards in exchange for the long-term consequences of drug abuse
what does the self-medication model of drug abuse state?
individuals start using drugs to cope with stress and related negative outcomes associated with trauma and abuse
what types of crime is alcohol use linked to?
interpersonal conflicts such as assault and homicide
what types of crime is illicit drug use linked to?
instrumental violence such as robbery
what are the protective factors of substance abuse?
- higher dopamine receptor availability, which may insulate individuals who are genetically at risk for developing alcoholism
- the presence of self-regulation protects individuals against risky drinking & risky sexual behaviour
what objectives does the assessment process serve? (4)
- provide initial screening to determine if a more comprehensive and more costly assessment is required
- help motivate clients to enter into a treatment program
- describe the nature and extent of the problem to help focus treatment planning
- help evaluate treatment process and change outcomes
what seven components of substance abuse does the CASA measure?
- alcohol
- drug abuse severity
- patterns of use
- links to criminal behaviour
- parental substance abuse severity
- previous participation in programs
- treatment readiness
what are the 2 pieces of legislation governing alcohol and drug related crimes in canada?
the criminal code and the controlled drugs and substances act