Drug Abuse and Addiction

Addiction

chronic disease that disrupts the brain’s system of motivation, reward and memory

Addiction Characterized By

• compulsive desire and increasing need for a substance or behaviour

• harm to the individual and/or society

Addictive Behaviour

• any habit that becomes out of control

• negative effect on a person’s health

Addiction is Often a Result of

• events in life, especially trauma or chronic stress

• environmental factors

• mental well-being (emotions, thoughts, feelings, mental illness)

• genetics and biology

4 Cs

• craving

• loss of control of amount of frequency use

• compulsion to use

• use despite consequences

Characteristics of Addiction

• reinforcement

• compulsion/craving

• loss of control

• escalation

• negative consequences

Examples of Addictive Behaviours

compulsive exercising, work addiction “workaholic”, gambling disorder, compulsive buying/shopping

Compulsive Exercising

exercise preoccupation and dissatisfaction with body image

• often accompanied with other psychiatric disorders (OCD)

Work Addiction “Workaholic”

• intense work schedule

• inability to limit work schedule

• inability to relax

• inability to reduce workload

Gambling Disorder

increase risk of financial effects and decreased mental health

Gambling Disorder Characteristics

• cannot control urge to gamble

• unsucessful efforts to quit

• using gambling to escape problems

• lying to family members/friends

Who is Most Likely to Have Gambling Disorders

males under the age of 25

Gambling Not Just Financial Consequences

approx. 200 people take their own lives each year

Compuslive Buying/Shopping

repeatedly gives in to the impulsive to buy more than they need or can afforad

Compulsive Buying/Shopping Typically Buy

luxary items

Compuslive Buying/Shopping Consequences

social, personal, financial

• usually distressed by thier behaviour

Compulsive Buying/Shopping Sometimes Linked to

childhood abuse or neglect, eating disorders, depression or bipolar

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

a mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behaviour, leading to a person’s inability to control their use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications

Symptoms of SUD

can range from moderate to severe

• addiction being the most severe form

People With SUD May Have

other mental health disorders

People With Mental Health Disorders May Experience

SUD (anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar, schizophrenia)

Who More Likely to Have SUD

• men more than women

• more men aged 15-24 (highest)

• more prevalent in younger ages (teens)

SUD and Mental Health Disorders

co-exist, however it does NOT mean one caused the other

3 Possibilities as to Why SUD and Mental Health Disorders Co-Exist

1. common risk factors

2. mental health disorders contribute to substance use and SUDs

3. substance use and SUDs can contribute to the development of other mental disorders

Self-Medication

people with mental health issues may use substances to cope with emotions, leading to addiction over time

Disrupted Reward System

mental disorders affect brain reward system, increasing susceptibility to drug-seeking behaviour

Stress and Vulnerability

• mental health issues increase stress, leading to addictive coping behaviours

• chronic stress weakens impulse control, exacerbating cravings

Shared Risk Factors

genetics, childhood trauma and violence exposure increase vulnerability to mental health disorders and addiction

DSM-5 for Substance Use Disorder

• drug effects

• impaired control

• social problems

• risky behaviours

Drug Effects

• developing tolerance to the substance

• expriencing withdrawal

Impaired Control

• take the substance in larger amount or over a longer period than was originally intended

• craving or strong desire or urge to use a substance

• making unsuccessful efforts to cut down or regulate substance use

• spending time obtaining, using or recovering from a substance

Social Problems

• giving up or reducing important social, school, work, or recreational activities because of substance use

• continuing to use the substance despite recognizing that it is contributing to a psychological or physical problem

• using the substance repeatedly, resulting in failure to fulfill obligations at work, school or home

Risky Use

• using the substance repeatedly, resulting in hazordous situations

• continuing to use despite social or interpersonal problems

According to Physicians

• if you have 2 mild SUD

• if you have 4 moderate SUD

• anything over 6 severe SUD

Defining Drugs

any chemical other than food intended to affect the structure or function of the body

A Drug Is

any substance, other than normal constituent of the body or one that is required for normal body function, that, when applied to or introduced into the living organism, has the effect of altering body function

Alterations May Prove

• useful in treatment (therapeutic application)

• may cause disease (toxicity)

Drug Examples

• cold and hay-fever remedies bought off a grocery store shelf 

• penicillin given as a prescription 

• drug bought illegally on the street

Psychoactive/Psychotropic Drugs

• a chemical that can alter a person’s consciousness or experience 

• any substrate capable of altering one’s feelings, moods, or perceptions 

Psychoactive/Psychotropic Drugs Most Often Associated With

abuse

Types of Psychoactive Drugs

CNS depressents, opioids, CNS stimulants, inhalants, hallucinogens

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressents

• capsules, tablets, clear liquid with powder

• swallowed or injected

CNS Depressants Reduces

the function of the CNS (decrease anxiety, lowers inhibitions, drowsiness)

Example of CNS Depressants

Zanax

Opiods

• dark tar or coal-like substance, could be a liquid 

• injected, smoked, snorted, swallowed, chewing, released from patches

• relieves pain and induces sleep

Opiod Examples

morphine, codeine, heroin

CNS Stimulants

• tablets, capsules, pellets or rock 

• injected, swallowed, smoked, snorted

CNS Stimulants Stimulates

the functions of the CNS (increase HR, BP, metabolism, insomnia)

CNS Stimulants Example

cocaine

Inhalants

• inhaled

• household products, sprays, glues, paint thinner, etc.

• loss of inhibition, slurred speech, loss of consciousness

Inhalants Example

aerosols

Hallucinogens

• power, liquid, mushrooms, tablets

• swallowed, absorbed through mouth tissues

• altered state of perception and feelings, increase HR, impaired motor function

Hallucinogens Example

LSD, ecstasy

Who Uses Drugs

• males > females

• troubled adolescents 

• thrill-seekers 

• individuals from a dysfunctional family 

• within a peer group that accepts drug use 

• poor or lower SES 

• dating young

Non-Drug Users - People Who

• perceive drug use as risky 

• have positive self-esteem 

• assertive 

• independent thinkers who are able to resist peer pressure

• high academic achievement 

• religious beliefs 

• have a strong family; feel supported