Task 9 Flashcards
In a US sample, how many percent of individuals qualify as “heavy drinkers” averaging 2 or more drinks per day?
7%
What is a demographic factor that substantially effects the prevalence of alcohol use?
Ethnicity
Name some examples of what kind of health implications long-term heavy alcohol use could have?
Cancer, Liver problems, cardiac diseases, dementia, neurocognitive diseases (dementia etc.)
Which kind of mental disorders are bidirectionally comorbid with substance use disorder?
Anxiety and Mood disorders
Which structures are commonly said to be involved in the “pleasure pathway”?
VTA -> NAc -> (P)FC
Roughly, why are some drugs so addictive?
They manipulate our dopamine levels, which leads to a strong craving of the drug.
How can we biologically explain tolerance?
Psychoactive substances cause the brain to reduce dopamine production and the receptors become less sensitive. Thus, more of the drug is needed, to achieve the same level of dopamine release.
Why do people overdose when taking drugs in unfamiliar environments?
Because stimuli experienced in association with the drug intake become conditioned stimuli and increase an individuals tolerance when present. When the stimuli are not present however, the drug’s effect might be much stronger than anticipated.
Social learning is a factor which could cause substance use disorders. Why might this also partially explain the gender difference when it comes to the prevalence of alcohol abuse?
On a societal level, drinking has historically been a more male-dominated activity. Boys typically tend to see their fathers as role models, and thus, heavy drinking in men might propagate itself into a vicious circle over the generations.
What is a personality trait, which puts people at a higher statistical risk of developing a substance use disorder?
Sensation-seeking
When facing difficult life events, people might turn to drugs as a form of …
maladaptive coping strategy
How can a person’s attitude influence the effect a drug has on them?
People’s expectations of the effects of a drug can predict what is going to happen.
-> People who expect marijuana to make them relaxed may experience relaxation, whereas people who are frightened of disinhibition may experience anxiety.
Which gender tends to be more influenced by their peers when it comes to developing a SUD (Substance use disorder)?
Males
What are some sociocultural factors that are affect the prevalence of SUD?
- Low SES
- Being in a stressful life situation like an abusive relationship etc.
- Religion (some religions condemn alcohol and other drugs more than others)
- Gender (more acceptable and popular among men)
- Family
What is one of the strategies in biologically treating addiction?
Example: Giving medication, which has a similar effect as the drug and then slowly decrease dosage of the medication, all while abstaining from using the actual drug.
