Substance abuse Flashcards
Most common substance abuse disorders
Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis,stimulant, hallucinogen, opioid
Psychoactive drug
affect emotion, mind, behavior
Substance Use/Abuse Concepts
Addiction vs substance use disorder Clinical and functional impairment Neurobiology model -binge and intoxication -withdrawal and negative effect -preoccupation and anticipation
Brainstem
controls basic functions ( hear rate, breathing)
Cerebellum
motor control
Limbic system
reward center and feelings of pleasure
hippocampus: storage and retrieval of memory
Amygdala: sensory information and emotions
Diencephalon
Hypothalamus: regulation of basic drives and autonomic nervous system
Thalamus: sensory perception and movement
Cerebral cortex
sensory, motor and association areas
frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes
Synapse
electrical synapse
chemical synapse
Neurotransmitters (can reinforce effects of drugs)
dopamine, opioid peptides, GABA, Glutamate, Serotonin, Acetylcholine
Addiction
Overwhelming compulsion; repetitive drug-taking behavior despite serious health & social consequences
Substance Dependence
Overwhelming desire to take a drug, cannot stop taking drug, 2 categories (physical & psychological)
Physical Dependence
Altered physical condition caused when nervous system adapts to repeated substance use, uncomfortable symptoms result when the agent is discontinued—known as withdrawal
Psychological Dependence
No obvious physical discomfort when substance discontinued, overwhelming desire to continue substance use; may be associated with home or social environment, craving continues for months or years, craving responsible for relapse
Tolerance
Biologic condition; body adapts to repeated administration of a drug, Requires higher doses of drug to produce initial effect, Common in substances that affect nervous system, Does not indicate addiction or substance abuse
Heroin
The most addictive drug, heroin is a very dangerous substance. It is less widely used than some of the other substances, likely because it is typically taken by injection.
Ecstasy
This drug, also known as MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine), is most often associated with clubs and raves, especially because the dopamine it helps to release simulates a feeling of connection between users. It is especially risky because the pills are generally less than 30 percent pure and can contain other serious drugs.
Crystal Meth
Crystal meth is almost 3X stronger than cocaine. It provides a much longer high as well as extreme crashes that make the user want to use again.
Cocaine
This white powder is one of the most notorious illicit drugs. It causes bursts of energy and euphoria, which are very tasking on the heart and brain.
Marijuana
The leaves of the cannabis plant are by far the most popular illicit drug among teens and younger people. The THC in the plant causes sensations of relaxation and sometimes mild hallucinations.
LSD
LSD “acid” is one of the most famous drugs of the Woodstock era, becoming mainstream in the 1960s. Trips can last for several hours and include very powerful hallucinations. Made synthetically and processed into strips.
Ventral tegmental area (VTA)
Connects to basal ganglia within limbic system
Basal ganglia function involved in emotions and motivation