Substance-related Disorders

Psychoactive Substances pt.1

-alcohol

-sedative/ hypnotic/ Anxiolytic ( barbiturates, benzos, GHB)

-stimulants (meth, Ritalin, cocaine)

-Caffeine

-Tobacco (nicotine)

Psychoactive Substances pt.2

-Opioids (opium, Morphine, Heroin)

-Cannabis (Marijuana, hash)

-Hallucinogens (PCP, LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, MDMA)

-Inhalants (glues, fuels, paints)

-other/unknown: steroids, ketamine

Criteria for Substance Use Disorder

• Problematic pattern of intoxicating substance use leading to 2 or more of the following things during the same 12 month period:

• 1. larger amounts/longer time than intended

• 2. Desire/inability to cut down

• 3. Much time and effort to obtain, and recover from substance

• 4. Craving, or strong desire to use substance

• 5. Recurrent use resulting in failure to meet important obligations 

• 6. continued to use despite social problems

• 7. Important social, occupational, recreational activities given up due to substance 

• 8. Recurrent use in Hazardous situations

• 9. Continued use despite knowledge of adverse consequences

• 10. Tolerance defined as:

  • need to achieve more for same effect OR diminished effect with same amount

• 11. Withdrawal defined as:

  • Withdrawal symptom due to substance OR Substance (or closely related substance) taken to relieve withdrawal

Biological Dimensions

• “reward center”in brain- Accumbens- frontal cortex, mainly dopaminergic, Indirect involvement of GABA, serotonin

• Genetics: bad and good chromosomes, production of ADH