Week 10 - Substance Use

Question 1

Definition of Substance Abuse according to the DSM-IV

Answer 1

A maladaptive pattern of substance misuse leading to impairment or distress , manifested by 3 or more within a 12m period

Question 2

4 of the key features in the definition of substance misuse

Answer 2

• Need for increased amounts to achieve desired effect
  -Diminished effects with continued use
• Unsuccessful efforts to cut down / control use
• Giving up / reducing important social / occupational activities

(BECOME DESENSITISED)

Question 3

How do stimulants stimulate neural activity?

Answer 3

• Activates fight vs flight response (adrenaline release)
• Widely abused due to rewarding effects
• Can lead a rapid physical and psychological dependence

Question 4

How do depressants depress neural activity?

Answer 4

• Produce changes in mood/cognition
• Leads to lethargy , drowsiness , reduced sensory responding etc

Question 5

How can drugs be useful?

Answer 5

• Depressant drugs act on GABA and suppress neural activity
• Can treat anxiety and sleep problems
• BUT if high doses or in combination with other depresses = fatal effect

Question 6

How can cannabis reduce headaches and migraine pains?

Answer 6

• Self report study (by 47% and 49%)
• Tolerance to drugs

Question 7

Characteristics of Physical dependence within addiction

Answer 7

• Tolerance (neuroadaption)
• Withdrawal (unpleasant symptoms)

Question 8

Characteristics of psychological dependence within addiction

Answer 8

• Need to continue consumption for behavioural effects despite being aware of negative outcomes

Question 9

Define drug potentiation

Answer 9

The effects of one drug magnifying the effects of other drugs

Question 10

How does the brain reward pathway work? (Biological theory)

Answer 10

• Naturally adaptive / evolutionary advantageous such as social interaction via release neurotransmitters (dopamine)
• Elicits pleasureable feelings
• Feedback to repeat these behaviours

Question 11

Social Learning Theory to explain substance use (psychological theory)

Answer 11

• Bandura
• Copy what we see
• Role Model Effect

Question 12

How can classical conditioning and operant conditioning explain substance use? (Psychological model)

Answer 12

• CC = associate taking drugs with pleasurable feelings
• OC = rewarded for neg behaviours like drinking = pleasurable sensations (reward) = make it harder to quit

Question 13

Vicarious reinforcement to explain substance use

Answer 13

• See benefits of others taking drugs
  -Copy to receive social reward
• Social acceptance

Question 14

Social model to explain substance use

Answer 14

AVAILABILITY
- more easily available = more taken , cigarette consumption decreased as prices increased
- As alcohol becomes cheaper , more people bought alcohol

Question 15

How do Hallucinogens cause effects?

Answer 15

• Sensory perceptions
• Incl MDMA , ecstasy

Question 16

How does personality lead to addiction?

Answer 16

1. INADEQUATE TRAITS = form as escapism , smoking more likely in students with low self esteem
2. PROBLEM BEHAVIOUR PRONE = risk taking , experimental

Question 17

Why is addiction so difficult to quit?

Answer 17

• Withdrawal
  -Pleasureable rewards

May stop due to critical life events such as pregnancy , financial issues , smoking ban , ill health

Question 18

How can addiction be treated and relapse rates?

Answer 18

• Abstinence (& will power) = most powerful , eliminate substance , can be aided by pharmacological treatment [eg. Nicotine replacement]
• More than 50% patients treated for alcohol addiction relapsed in 3 months (NIAAA)
• Stress triggers relapse [Shiffman et al]

Question 19

Effects on neurochemistry - agonist and antagonists

Answer 19

Agonist = enhance actions of NT as bind easier
Antagonist = inhibit actions of a NT