Unit 3 Flashcards
Define Tolerance
A need for increasing amounts of a substance to have the desired effect.
Define Withdrawal
A specific psychological and physiological reaction to discontinuation of a substance which can be relieved by taking the substance. (Or by lowing the dose too quickly of a substance)
What are the four general clusters of symptoms for Substance Use Disorders
Impaired control over use of the substance
Social impairments that result from use
Risky use of substance
Pharmacological criteria
Are tolerance or withdrawal required to diagnose a substance abuse disorder? Why or why not?
Although common, neither tolerance nor withdrawal are required for the diagnosis of a substance use disorder.
Examples: Cocaine is highly addicting, but there is no withdrawal
SSRI’s are not addicting, but can have an unpleasant withdrawal associated with it.
What drug has both dopamine dependent and dopamine-independent pathways to addiction?
Opiates
What is the general withdrawal syndrome for alcohol? What’s the treatment?
Characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol: Elevated heart rates, blood pressure, body temperature, tactile hallucinations, formication (Formication is a sensation that resembles insects crawling on or under the skin.) if left untreated can result in seizures, Potentially lethal withdrawal syndrome.
Treatment, Alcohol or a benzodiazepine is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
Which gender is more likely to receive substance related diagnoses?
Men
What is the 12-month prevalence rate for alcohol use disorder in adults?
8.5? (Number of new cases in the population over time)
What are the trends for prevalence rates of substance use disorders for 18-24 year olds, relative to other ages.
High prevalence and incidence rates of nearly all substance use disorders, relative to other ages.
How does route of entry affect addiction?
Huge determinant of addictive quality: The speed with which the receptors hit the brain, faster rise produces faster fall.
Inhalation: (smoking) Almost instantaneous
Injection: (15-30 sec)
Snorting/Snuffing: 3-5- min
Ingestion: 15-30 min
How does Alcohol effect neurotransmitters?
Affects multiple neurotransmitter systems, damaging membranes,
-Enhances the activity of GABA by facilitating the flow of chloride ions through the cell membrane.
-Results in hyperpolarization of the neurons in the pre-frontal cortex and reduced ability to fire/generate action-potentials.
-Reduces gluamate’s excitatory effect on NMDA receptors, which may account for the negative cognitive effects of alcohol (NMDA receptors heavily involved in memory)
-Serotonin: Stimulates the release of serotonin and alters serotonin receptors, One reason for sleepiness and alcohol’s widespread effects on behavior.
What common pathway do all addictive drugs go through in the brain?
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens, causing increased dopamine transmission
What class of drugs would you give to someone to help with alcohol withdrawal?
Benzodiazepines
What vitamin are people with Alcoholism usually deficient in? What would be the results of severe deficiency?
