Causes and Treatment

People who live in stressful socioeconomic conditions, have families that value/tolerate drug use, and are confronted regularly by other kinds of stress are most likely to develop a SUD

SC view

People who are operant conditions by tension-reduction, have rewards-produced expectancy, and are influenced by classical conditions when cues or objects are present are most likely to develop a SAD

CB view

Genetic predisposition, neurotransmitters, and brain reward circuits play a major role in drug misuse

Biological view

Atypical form of _____ in people with substance use disorders using molecular biology techniques

Dopamine-2 receptor gene

When substances repeatedly stimulate the reward center, the center develops a hypersensitivity to the substances

Incentive-sensitization theory

Reward center is not readily activated by “normal” life events, so the person turns to drugs to stimulate this pleasure pathway; Defects inn D-2 receptors

Reward deficiency syndrome

SUDs are genetically inherited, with numerous stressors through childhood, inadequate parents, rewarding substance use experiences, and relationships with peers who use drugs

Developmental psychopathology view

Various approaches to SUD treatment

Often combine motivational interviewing and behavioral changes

Clients are helped to identify and change behaviors and cognitions that contribute to patterns of substance misuse

CB treatment

Interventions in CB treatment

Aversion therapy, contingency management, relapse-prevention training, and acceptance and commitment therapy

Help people withdraw, abstain, or maintain level of use without further increases

Biological treatment

Systematic and medically supervised withdrawal; High relapse rates high without follow-up treatment

Detoxification

Block or change effects of a drug; Intended to help person resist falling back into pattern

Antagonist drugs

Designed to provide a safe, legally, and medically supervised substitute for heroin

Methadone maintenance programs

Believe psychological problems emerge in a social setting and best treated in a social context

Sociocultural theorists