Understanding Addiction and Its Measurement

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to addiction, its definitions, terminology used in the DSM, and the implications of substance use disorders.

Addiction

Something done regularly, habitually, or repeatedly, often with a compulsive quality partially out of one’s conscious control.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

A medical diagnosis defined by a problematic pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.

Tolerance

The need for increased amounts of a substance to achieve the desired effect.

Withdrawal

A distinct pattern of physiological changes that occur upon reducing or stopping substance use.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

A problematic pattern of alcohol use that leads to significant impairment or distress, with specific criteria to diagnose.

Binge Alcohol Use

Drinking five or more drinks on one occasion for males or four or more for females.

Heavy Alcohol Use

Binge drinking on five or more days within the past 30 days.

DSM

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which categorizes substance use disorders and their criteria.

Episodic Excessive Drinking

A term introduced in the DSM-II indicating a pattern of drinking characterized by episodes of excessive amounts of alcohol.

Problematic Use

Substance use that leads to social or occupational impairment.

Behavioral Syndrome

An interconnected cluster of behaviors linked to substance use, emphasizing the psychological and physiological elements.

Craving

A strong desire or urge to use a substance.

Definitions of Abuse and Dependence

Abuse is problematic use without tolerance/withdrawal; dependence involves compulsive use with or without these symptoms.

Alcoholic

A person identified as having a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.

Self-Administration of Drugs

A behavior where animals are trained to administer psychoactive drugs to themselves.

Co-Morbidity in Substance Use Disorders

The presence of both substance use disorder and mental health issues in an individual.