Chapter 10: Substance Use and Addictive Disorders

What are psychoactive substances?

Chemicals that change perceptions and mood via their actions at neural synapses.

How do psychoactive substances affect neurotransmitters?

They inhibit, stimulate, or mimic the activity of the brain’s natural chemical messengers.

What is the common effect of MDMA (ecstasy) on serotonin?

It stimulates a massive release of serotonin in the brain and blocks its re-uptake.

What is tolerance in the context of substance use disorders?

Needing more and more of a substance to achieve the desired effects.

What is withdrawal?

Discomfort and distress that follow reduction or stopping of use of a substance.

What is the self-medication hypothesis?

It suggests that people may use substances to manage stress, emotions, or other problems.

What factor does operant conditioning relate to in substance use?

Substances are taken to increase arousal or reduce tension.

What is the distinction between internal and external locus of control?

Internal locus implies self-control over one's environment, while external locus suggests control by the environment.

What does the 'Substance Abuse Personality' refer to in psychodynamic views?

A personality shaped by dependency needs originating from early childhood experiences.

What is the significance of genetic predisposition in substance use disorders?

Research shows that patterns of substance use can follow biological parents, evident in adoption and twin studies.

What is aversion therapy in cognitive-behavioral therapies?

A form of therapy that aims to create an aversive response to substance use.

What is the goal of motivational interviewing (MI) therapy?

To facilitate behavior change by understanding the client's readiness to change.

What does 'readiness to change' assess in motivational interviewing?

Determines how prepared a client is to change their substance use behavior.

What are OARS skills in motivational interviewing?

Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective Listening, and Summaries.

What does detoxification aim to achieve in biological treatments?

Help individuals withdraw from substances safely.

What does Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) assert about addiction?

That substance use disorders are diseases and that addicts are powerless over alcohol.

What is the DSM-5 recognized disorder similar to substance use disorders?

Gambling disorder.

What is 'nomophobia'?

Fear of being without a mobile phone.

What is binge-watching related to in terms of addictive behavior?

It is considered a form of compulsive behavior similar to substance use.