substance misuse - background Flashcards
What is a drug?
A medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when introduced to the body
Who is most likely to use drugs?
Young adults between 16-24
What are substance use disorders?
A cluster of cognitive, behavioural and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems
What is an addiction?
A chronic, primary, neurobiological condition influenced by genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors
What factors affect drug misuse and addiction?
Genetic factors
Socioeconomic factors
Environmental factors
Describe opioid addiction
Intense initial intoxication
Development of profound tolerance
Escalation in intake
Profound dysphoria, physical discomfort with withdrawal and somatic withdrawal signs during abstinence
Describe the pattern of addiction of alcohol
Initial in otic action is less than opioids
Pattern is characterised by binges
Severe emotional and somatic withdrawal syndrome
Intense craving for the drug that is often driven by both negative and positive emotional states
How does the reward pathway in the brain work?
Included a number of areas of the brain including the ventral regimental area (VTA), the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex
When activated by a rewarding stimulus, info travels from the VTA to the nucleus accumbens and then up to the prefrontal cortex
Dopamine mediated transmission allows us to feel pleasure
How do the use of drugs affect neurotransmitters?
Increased levels of dopamine leads to euphoria
Decreased levels of serotonin leads to decreased levels of contentment
What is the psychiatric view of addiction?
- Preoccupation/anticipation
- Binge/intoxication
- Withdrawal/negative affect
These are loops that keep going around
What is the psychodynamic theory of substance misuse?
Suggests that substance misuse stems from unconscious psychological conflicts and unresolved issues from early childhood experiences
How does prolonged exposure lead to addiction?
It reduces the sensitivity of the brain to the rewards system
What is psychological dependence?
An overriding compulsion to take the drug event in the certain knowledge that it is harmful
What is physical dependence?
Use followed by a withdrawal syndrome, characteristic of the psychoactive substance taken
What is withdrawal syndrome?
A specific array of symptoms and signs that follow sudden withdrawal of a drug that causes physical dependence
