HHB brain, addiction, substance abuse

define addiction

persistent, continued involvement with a substance despite ongoing negative consequences

physiological dependence vs psychological

physiological results in withdrawal syndrome;

psychological dependence is an intense and uncontrollable urge to continue use

5 common characteristics of addiction

loss of control

compulsion

negative consequences

denial

inability to abstain

types of addictions (2)

process additions, substance addictions

what percentage of people that use substances in general become addicted?

20-25%

what is the spectrum of substance use? (3 levels)

risky substance use;

substance use disorder;

addiction

3 parts of biopsychosocial model of addiction

biological,

psychological,

social/environmental

what does ACES mean?

adverse childhood experiences

where are high concentrations of dopamine found?

basal ganglia, limbic system, brainstem

what does dopamine help regulate?

motivation, reward, learning, emotion, feelings of pleasure

what age does the prefrontal cortex (PFC) fully mature?

25

PFC connects what?

actions and consequences

tolerance

the brain’s adaptation to surges of dopamine, down regulating number of receptors

which drug mimics endorphins?

opioids

how does dopamine impact addiction?

impacting pleasure and reward pathways

the standard drink contains how many grams of pure alcohol?

14g

what % of alcohol is absorbed in the stomach? upper small intestine?

20,

80

pathway of alcohol metabolism in body (4 steps)

ethanol →

acetaldehyde →

acetate→

H₂O + CO₂

how quickly is ethanol metabolized into its metabolites? which metabolite is most toxic?

0.5 oz/hour;

acetaldehyde