What is it?

Question 1

What else is it known as?

Answer 1

Substance dependence

Question 2

What is a drug?

Answer 2

Any substance that can have an effect on a biological system - a drug which we introduce to our bodies

Question 3

What is the difference between exogenous substance vs endogenous substance?

Answer 3

Exogenous - something we introduce from the outside

Endogenous - from within, a substance our brain creates

Question 4

What is the difference between pharmacokinetics vs pharmacodynamics?

Answer 4

Pharmacokinetics - what our body does to the drug, cause of drug when entering body

Pharmocodynamics - what the drug does to us and how it affects the brain

Question 5

How is it classified in DSM?

Answer 5

DSM-IV previously - distinction between substance abuse / misuse (using them wrong way or too much) and substance dependence (addiction)

Diagnosis has shifted to DSM 5 - where substance use disorders are now on a continuum

Question 6

What is it?

Answer 6

The use of a drug is given much higher priority than other behaviours which had higher value - at the extreme, dependence syndrome is associated with compulsive drug using behaviour - can’t function without it
It is also a chronic relapsing disorder - can never be cured

Question 7

What criteria is in the DSM 5?

Answer 7

11 different criteria, fit into categories of:
impaired control 1-4 = can’t restrain something
social impairment 5-7 = social relationships becoming diminished
risky use 8-9 - risk our lives or others
pharmacological criteria 10-11

Question 8

What does impaired control refer too?

Answer 8

1. May take substance in larger amounts than intended
2. May express a desire to cut down or regulate substance, but report unsuccessful efforts
3. Spend a great deal of time obtaining it or recovering from effects - all activities revolve around it
4. Craving is caused by
   intense desire from the drug, more likely in environment where drug was previously obtained

Question 9

What does social impairment refer too?

Answer 9

5. Substance use may result in failure to fulfil major role obligations at work or school
6. May continue substance use despite having lots of social problems caused by using it
7. Important social, work and fun activities given up or reduced - withdraw from family activities to use it

Question 10

What does risky use refer too?

Answer 10

8. May take the form of substance use when it is physically hazardous (driving)
9. May continue to use it despite knowledge o having a physical or psychological problem, which has been caused by it

failure to stop using it despite difficulty it is causing

Question 11

What does pharmacological criteria refer too?

Answer 11

10. Tolerance - requiring a increased dose of the substance to achieve the desired effect or a reduced effect when usual dose consumed (varies across individuals and substances)
11. Withdrawal - occurs when blood concentrations of a substance decline when used it for ages. After getting withdrawal symptoms, consume it to relieve them - vary across substances

Neither of these are necessary

Question 12

What are withdrawal symptoms?

Answer 12

The opposite to what the drug is having
opioids: sedation
withdrawal: arousal
negative subjective experiences

Question 13

How many symptoms do you need for a diagnosis?

Answer 13

Mild - 2/3 symptoms
Moderate - 4/5
Severe - 6+