Understanding Substance Use and Addiction

A collection of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to substance use, addiction, and their implications.

Addiction

A behavior done regularly, habitually, or compulsively, partially out of conscious control.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

The DSM-V diagnosis that combines abuse and dependence with severity levels.

Risky Drinking

Exceeding certain thresholds: >4 drinks/day for men or >3 drinks/day for women.

Binge Drinking

Consuming 5+ drinks (men) or 4+ drinks (women) on a single occasion.

Heavy Alcohol Use

Binge drinking on 5 or more days in the past month.

Positive Reinforcement

The phenomenon where drugs activate dopamine and reward systems.

Expectancy Theory

The concept that beliefs about the effects of substance use predict initiation and persistence.

Self-Awareness Model

A theory stating that alcohol lowers self-awareness, which can reduce anxiety and self-criticism.

Neurotransmitter Agonists

Substances that mimic neurotransmitters, most drugs of abuse act as agonists.

Tolerance

The diminished effect of a drug over time, necessitating larger doses for the same effect.

Wernicke-Korsakoff’s Syndrome

A consequence of chronic alcohol use characterized by memory loss and confabulation, often due to thiamine deficiency.

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

A condition where an individual misuses opioids leading to significant impairment or distress.

Naloxone (Narcan)

An antagonist used for opioid overdose reversal, particularly for respiratory depression.

Social Norms Campaigns

Efforts aimed at correcting misperceptions about typical drinking behavior among peers.

Alcohol-free programming

Campus initiatives designed to offer alternatives to alcohol consumption and shift social norms.

Gene × Environment interaction

A concept that describes how genetic vulnerabilities to substance use manifest more strongly under environmental stress.