B5. Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders

Substance

Chemical compounds that are ingested to alter mood or behavior

Alcohol

Drug that reduces inhibitions, making people more outgoing. It can also depress the brain which impedes functioning. It affects GABA and glutamate

Withdrawal Delirium (Delirium Tremens)

A condition that can produce frightening hallucinations and body tremors that happens when a person with alcohol disorder withdraws from alcohol

Pre-Alcoholic Stage

Prodromal Stage

Crucial Stage

Chronic Stage

Four-Stage Model of Alcoholism

Pre-alcoholic Stage

First stage of alcoholism characterized by drinking occasionally with few serious consequences

Prodromal Stage

Second stage of alcoholism characterized by heavy drinking but with few outward signs of a problem

Crucial Stage

Third stage of alcoholism that includes a loss of control with occasional binges

Chronic Stage

Fourth and last stage of alcoholism where primary daily activities involve getting and drinking alcohol

Stimulants

Most commonly consumed psychoactive drug in the US that includes caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine

Caffeine

The most common psychoactive substance. A “gentle stimulant” found in tea, coffee, soda, and cocoa products

Amphetamine

Stimulants that can induce feelings of elation and vigor while reducing fatigue. Commonly prescribed to people with narcolepsy and ADHD

Other variants include Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Molly, Ecstasy) that makes you feel euphoric and methamphetamine (Crystal meth)

Hallucinogens

A broad group of drugs that change a person's thoughts, feelings, and perception of reality. They are known to cause vivid auditory and visual hallucinations.

Example is Phencyclidine (PCP) that is snorted, smoked, or injected intravenously and causes impulsivity and aggressiveness.

Others include psilocybin (mushroom), lysergic acid amide (seeds of morning glory plant), dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and mescaline

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)

The most common hallucinogen produced synthetically in a laboratory

Cocaine

Stimulant that increases alertness, produces euphoria, increased blood pressure and pulse, causes insomnia, and loss of appetite

Tobacco

Contains nicotine and is linked with signs of negative affect such as depression, anxiety, and anger

Inhalants

Drugs that quickly reach the brain, causing short-term effects like dizziness, euphoria, slurred speech, and loss of coordination, but carry severe risks of brain damage, heart failure, and sudden death.

Includes household items, volatile solvents, aerosols, gases, and nitrites

Cannabis

Drugs that act as a mild depressant by causing relaxation, giggliness, and an altered time perception such as marijuana and hashish

Opioids

Drugs that relieve pain, cause relaxation, and slow down the central nervous system such as heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and others

Sedatives, Hypnotics, or Anxiolytics

Central nervous system depressants that slow down the central nervous system and causes sleepiness. Can be used for anxiety or depression and includes benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, alprazolam), barbiturates, and other sleep medications (e.g., zolpidem)

Other (or Unknown) Substances

Term used for substances that do not fit neatly into the other classes

Substance Use Disorder

Disorder characterized by a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance or engaging in the behavior despite significant substance- or behavior-related problems

Substance-Induced Disorders

Includes substance intoxication, substance withdrawal, and substance-induced mental disorders (e.g., substance-induced psychotic disorder, substance-induced depressive disorder) that are typically temporary conditions

Gambling Disorder

Persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as indicated by a cluster of symptoms