Substance-Related, Addictive, and Impulse-Control Disorders – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms and definitions from Chapter 10 on substance-related, addictive, and impulse-control disorders.

Substance Use

Taking moderate amounts of a psychoactive substance in a way that does not interfere with functioning.

Substance Intoxication

A reversible, substance-specific physiological and psychological reaction (e.g., being drunk or high).

Substance Abuse

Pattern of use that is dangerous or causes serious impairment in work, school, or relationships.

Substance Dependence

Maladaptive pattern of use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and/or compulsive drug-seeking behavior.

Tolerance

Need for markedly increased amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect, or diminished effect with continued use of the same amount.

Withdrawal

Physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a substance is reduced or stopped after heavy, prolonged use.

Depressants

Drug class that produces behavioral sedation; includes alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines.

Stimulants

Drugs that increase alertness and energy (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine, caffeine).

Opiates

Natural chemicals in opium poppy that relieve pain and create euphoria (e.g., morphine, codeine).

Opioids

Natural & synthetic substances with narcotic, analgesic effects; includes heroin and prescription painkillers.

Hallucinogens

Substances that alter sensory perception and can produce delusions or hallucinations (e.g., LSD, marijuana).

Inhalants

Volatile solvents (spray paint, gasoline) inhaled for quick, alcohol-like intoxication.

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

Synthetic derivatives of testosterone used to enhance body mass; may cause mood disturbance but not a classic “high.”

Designer Drugs

Laboratory-made substances originally for medical use, later taken recreationally (e.g., MDMA/Ecstasy, ketamine).

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

DSM-5 diagnosis requiring ≥2 symptoms (e.g., craving, tolerance, role failure) within 12 months, causing impairment.

Alcohol Use Disorder

SUD specific to alcohol, meeting DSM-5 criteria such as craving, tolerance, withdrawal, hazardous use.

Sedative-Hypnotic or Anxiolytic-Related Disorder

Problematic use of barbiturates or benzodiazepines leading to impairment/distress per DSM-5.

Stimulant Use Disorder

Maladaptive amphetamine, cocaine, or other stimulant use meeting DSM-5 symptom thresholds.

Tobacco Use Disorder

Dependence on nicotine characterized by craving, tolerance, withdrawal, and continued use despite problems.

Caffeine Intoxication

≥5 physiologic symptoms (e.g., restlessness, insomnia) after recent high-dose caffeine (>250 mg).

Opioid Use Disorder

Pattern of opioid misuse causing impairment/distress, often with severe withdrawal and high overdose risk.

Cannabis Use Disorder

Problematic marijuana use marked by craving, tolerance, withdrawal, and social/role impairment.

Other Hallucinogen Use Disorder

Maladaptive use of LSD, psilocybin, etc., with DSM-5 symptoms similar to other SUDs.

Inhalant Use Disorder

Impairing pattern of volatile solvent inhalation with craving, tolerance, and hazardous use.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Developmental problems (facial features, growth deficits, CNS damage) caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.

Wernicke’s Disease

Alcohol-related thiamine deficiency leading to confusion, ataxia, and eye movement problems.

GABA

Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter; alcohol and sedatives enhance its effect, reducing neuronal firing.

Dopaminergic Pleasure Pathway

Brain reward circuit (midbrain → frontal cortex) activated by most addictive substances.

Positive Reinforcement (Drug Use)

Initial motivation to take drugs for pleasurable, euphoric effects.

Negative Reinforcement (Drug Use)

Continued drug use to escape or avoid withdrawal or negative mood states.

Opponent-Process Theory

Model proposing that withdrawal discomfort motivates continued drug use despite diminishing highs.

Agonist Substitution

Treatment using a safer drug with similar action to the abused drug (e.g., methadone, nicotine patch).

Antagonistic Treatment

Medication that blocks or counteracts a drug’s rewarding effects (e.g., naltrexone for alcohol/opioids).

Aversive Treatment

Drug therapy producing unpleasant reactions when the abused substance is taken (e.g., disulfiram/Antabuse).

Community Reinforcement

Therapy adding social, vocational, and recreational supports to encourage sobriety.

Contingency Management

Behavioral treatment providing tangible rewards for verified abstinence.

Relapse Prevention

Cognitive-behavioral strategies to anticipate and cope with high-risk situations for substance use.

Gambling Disorder

Non-substance addictive disorder marked by persistent, problematic gambling meeting ≥4 DSM-5 criteria.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Impulse-control disorder featuring recurrent aggressive outbursts causing injury or property destruction.

Kleptomania

Recurrent failure to resist stealing unneeded items, often comorbid with mood or substance disorders.

Pyromania

Irresistible urge to set fires for relief or gratification, diagnosed in a small subset of arsonists.

Methadone

Long-acting opioid agonist used to reduce heroin withdrawal and cravings.

Naltrexone

Opioid antagonist that diminishes alcohol and opioid reward, aiding relapse prevention.

Disulfiram (Antabuse)

Aversive agent causing nausea and flushing when alcohol is consumed.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Primary psychoactive compound in marijuana responsible for mood and perceptual changes.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Synthetic amphetamine-like designer drug causing stimulant and mild hallucinogenic effects; high dependence risk.

Contingency

In therapy, a planned relationship between a specific behavior (e.g., abstinence) and a consequence (e.g., reward).

Spontaneous Recovery (Alcohol)

Unassisted remission from alcohol dependence observed in about 20 % of problem drinkers.