Addictive Behaviors Quiz Review

Psychoactive substance definition

A drug that changes brain function and alters mood, perception, or behavior.

Prevalence vs incidence

Prevalence is total cases at a time; incidence is new cases over time.

Trend in combustible cigarette use

Has decreased in the past 4 years.

Trend in nicotine vaping

Has increased in the past 4 years.

Agonist effect (non-GABA)

Increases neural activity by activating or mimicking neurotransmitters.

Antagonist effect (non-GABA)

Decreases neural activity by blocking neurotransmitter receptors.

Individual-level alcohol misuse risk factors

Impulsivity, sensation-seeking, genetic vulnerability.

Why SUD diagnosis differs from cancer

SUD is behavior-based and determined by patterns, not biological tests.

Why “uses more than others” isn’t DSM-5 criterion

High use alone doesn’t indicate impairment or loss of control.

Large therapeutic index meaning

Indicates a wide safety margin between effective and toxic doses.

Caffeine use disorder in DSM?

Likely no; symptoms rarely cause clinically significant impairment.

Non-specific factor improving drug results

Placebo effect or expectation of benefit.

Faster onset: oral vs inhalation

Inhalation; it delivers drug to bloodstream and brain rapidly.

Effect of noncompetitive antagonist

Lowers maximum effect (efficacy) without shifting potency.

How naloxone reverses overdose

Blocks opioid receptors and displaces opioids immediately.

Betancourt et al. gestational cocaine finding

Effects are generally mild and influenced by environment.

Mechanism of cocaine

Blocks reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

Sex differences in BAC

Females reach higher BAC due to lower body water and enzyme activity.

Ethanol metabolism & genetics

Alcohol → acetaldehyde → acetate; ALDH deficiency causes flushing/sickness.

Anandamide vs THC

THC mimics anandamide at cannabinoid receptors.

Age group most likely to vape cannabis

Young adults (18

Difference in “light” cigarettes

Ventilated filters; didn’t reduce harm because smokers compensated by inhaling more.

Dual use ENDS + cigarettes

Generally bad because it maintains exposure to harmful smoke.

Age with highest vape use

Young adults (18

Age with highest non-vape tobacco use

Older adults.

Primary neurotransmitter system for caffeine

Adenosine; caffeine blocks adenosine receptors.

Why energy drinks + alcohol increase intake

Caffeine masks alcohol’s sedative effects, leading to more drinking.

Pharmacotherapy for opioid use disorder

Methadone or buprenorphine reduce withdrawal and cravings.

How naloxone works

Competitive opioid receptor antagonist that rapidly displaces opioids.

Why “opioid overdose epidemic” may mislead

Multiple drug waves (prescription, heroin, fentanyl) differ in cause.

Harm reduction rationale

Reduces negative consequences without requiring abstinence (e.g., syringe exchange).

Catechol hallucinogens neurotransmitter systems

Act on serotonin and dopamine; resemble stimulants.

Meaning of “anabolic”

Muscle-building effects.

Meaning of “androgenic”

Masculinizing or male sex hormone effects.

Why steroids cause testicular atrophy

External hormones suppress natural testosterone production.

How EPO enhances performance

Increases red blood cells and oxygen delivery.

Dose makes the poison and apple seeds

Cyanide amount is too small to cause harm.

FDA oversight of supplements vs drugs

Supplements are not required to prove safety or efficacy before sale.

“Treats fatigue” vs “promotes alertness”

Use “promotes alertness” because it’s allowed for supplements.

Why one medication can treat schizophrenia and bipolar I

Both involve dopamine/serotonin dysregulation.

DSM-5-TR pathological gambling name

Gambling Disorder; criteria are similar but updated.

Behavioral addictions in ICD-11 but not DSM-5

Gaming disorder and gambling-like behaviors.

Good vs evil addiction theory tautology

Yes, because it can’t be tested or falsified.

Parent drug use before age 5 causing SUD

Not tautological; it makes a testable prediction.

Critique or support Brain Disease Model

Highlights biological mechanisms but may oversimplify addiction.

Meaning of “vector” (Compton & Jones)

Delivery mechanism that spreads opioids (e.g., pill mills).

Portugal decriminalization: positive outcome

Reduced overdose deaths.

Portugal decriminalization: negative outcome

Increased burden on treatment systems.

What the 18th Amendment specified

Banned manufacturing, sale, and transport of alcohol.

Why cannabis Schedule I is inaccurate

It has medical uses and low overdose risk.

Purpose of Phase-I clinical trial

Evaluate safety and dosage in healthy volunteers.

Characteristics of RCT

Random assignment, control group, blinding.

Treatment efficacy vs effectiveness

Efficacy = ideal conditions; effectiveness = real-world outcomes.