Chapter 5: Substance Use and Addictive Disorders

Flashcards about substance abuse and addictive disorders

What are some reasons people use drugs?

Some reasons include liking the feeling, to wake up, or to unwind after a long day.

What is one definition of addiction?

Drug use that is out of one’s control.

What are some general characteristics of Substance Use Disorder?

Impaired control over drug use, harmful consequences, craving, tolerance, withdrawal, and chronic relapsing disorder.

Define substance dependence according to the DSM V.

When an individual persists in using drugs despite related problems, compulsive and repetitive use may result in tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Along with substance abuse, it's considered a substance use disorder.

Historically, how was addiction viewed?

As abnormal behavior, due to self-destructive qualities, with drug users thought to be deficient in willpower and morality.

Describe the Disease Model of Addiction.

It suggests addiction is due to either a genetic predisposition ('One Drink = One Drunk') or excessive drug exposure causing a 'brain disease'.

What are the potential benefits of classifying addiction as a disease?

It removes stigma, helps to fund research, and aligns with our understanding of biochemistry.

What are the potential drawbacks of classifying addiction as a disease?

It may remove individual responsibility, and brain changes may not be as detrimental as we think.

What is physical dependence?

Excessive drug use motivated by a fear of withdrawal symptoms.

What is psychological dependence?

Psychological withdrawal causes a craving for a drug, but this withdrawal is not easily observed.

How do animals and humans compare in self-administration of drugs?

Studies show that many animals will self-administer most the drugs humans use, even THC.

Do you need to create dependence in animals to get them to self administer drugs?

No, the drugs act as a reward stimuli and it can't be just a dependence model.

What are some examples of naturally rewarding stimuli?

Food, water, sex, nurturing, and sugar.

What are the components of the Reward Pathway?

Euphoria, Judgement, Movement, Sensation, Reward, Memory, Vision, Pain, and Coordination.

How do positive and negative reinforcement influence behavior?

Positive reinforcement adds positive consequences to increase behavior. Negative reinforcement moves negative consequences to increase behavior.

What is drive induction/reduction theory?

It states that we must satisfy primary drives (food, water, sex) which are innate. Then we generate secondary drives, (money) which are learned

What is Hedonic dysregulation?

Decreased reward system function and increased brain stress response leads to addiction

Explain 'timing' in relation to rewarding theories.

Drugs, food, and sex all produce immediate positive effects, but negative after-effects can take a long time to manifest.

Define Positive Reinforcement.

Desired stimulus, after a behavior, that increases the probability the behavior will recur.

Define Negative Reinforcement.

Removal of an aversive stimulus, after a behavior, that increases the probability the behavior will recur.

What brain structures are part of the Reward Circuit?

Prefrontal Cortex, Nucleus Accumbens, and VTA

How was the reward pathway discovered through rat experiments?

Rats with an electrode implanted in the NA would press a lever to receive electric shocks because of positive reinforcement.

What role does dopamine play in the reward pathway?

Dopamine release increases in the reward pathway after stimulation of NA. Blocking dopamine release stops the rats from pressing the lever.

Define addiction.

A state in which an organism engages in compulsive behavior that is reinforcing, with a loss of control in limiting intake.

How does heroin (morphine) act in the brain?

Heroin is converted to morphine, which binds to opiate receptors in the brain and pain pathways, leading to analgesia.

How does heroin impact rats self-administering?

If heroin is injected directly into the NA, the rats will continue to press the bar as it reinforcing and serves as a reward

Define tolerance.

A state in which an organism no longer responds to a drug, requiring a higher dose to achieve the same effect.

Which region is responsible for morphine tolerance?

Thalamus and Spinal chord

Define dependence.

A state in which an organism functions normally only in the presence of a drug, manifested as a physical disturbance when the drug is removed (withdrawal).

Which region is responsible for morphine dependence?

Thalamus and Brainstem

How are addiction and dependence related?

Different parts of the brain are responsible for addiction and dependence to heroin and opiates. It is possible to be dependent on morphine without being addicted.

How does cocaine impact the reward pathway?

There is increased dopamine levels in the synapses of the reward pathway during cocaine self-administration in rats.

What effect do addictive drugs have on the reward pathway?

Addictive drugs activate the reward system via increasing dopamine neurotransmission.

Which system does dopamine interact with?

Serotonin

What is the function of the motivation control system?

Reinforcement stimulates behavior by stimulating the motor loop in response to homeostatic input.

What role does dopamine not play?

It is not responsible for the reward association.

What is the role of dopamine?

May play a role in learning the salience of the input responsible for the reinforcement. Increases an organisms chance of noticing the rewarding stimuli.

What are the main roles of the mesolimbic dopamine system?

General activation, drive toward a specific goal, towards a stimuli with significance (incentive salience)

Explain Mesolimbic dopamine system.

The mesolimbic system (VTA-NA) is more of a 'wanting system' rather than a pleasure system. Its activity increases the chance of you repeating a behavior rather than directly causing pleasure.

Do patients lacking dopamine experience less pleasure?

No

What does the DSM V refer to as substance abuse and substance dependence?

Substance use disorders, which define the level of severity, determined by the number of diagnostic criteria met by an individual.

What are the criteria for a mild substance use disorder diagnosis?

A minimum of 2-3 criteria

Name at least 3 signs listed in the DSM V diagnostic criteria regarding substance use disorder: Opioids

Taking the opioid in larger amounts and for longer than intended. Wanting to cut down or quit but not being able to do it. Spending a lot of time obtaining the opioid. Craving or a strong desire to use opioids

List the misconceptions about addiction:

You don't have to use every day. You don't have to crave drugs or alcohol. You don't have to go through withdrawal. You don't have to suffer major losses.

What are the keys to treating addiction?

The best methods of treatment focus on treating all aspects of the abusive behavior, no single treatment works for everyone, and counseling can be crucial.