Chapter 2: Explaining Drug Use and Abuse

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)

marijuana’s main psychoactive ingredient

Binge Drinking

consuming five or more alcohol drinks in a row on a single occasion

Extreme Binge Drinking

the consumption of 10+ alcoholic drinks in a row or 15+ more drinks in a row on a single occasion

Generational Forgetting

when knowledge of adverse drug consequences experienced by a particular generation or population is lost by the younger cohort

Substance-Induced Disorders (addictive disorders)

type of substance-related disorder that involves problems caused by the direct effects of a substance such as intoxication, withdrawal, and other substance- or medication-induced mental disorders

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

from the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM5; term used by clinicians and psychiatrists for diagnosing mental disorders, combines substance abuse, and substance dependence into a single condition called substance use disorder

Moral Model

belief that people abuse alcohl because they choose to do so

Disease Model

belief that people abuse alcohol because of some biologically caused condition

Characterological or Personality Predisposition Model

view of chemical dependency as a symptom of problems in the development or operation of the system of needs, motives, and attitudes within the individual

Personality Disorders

broad category of psychiatric disorders, that includes the antisocial personality disorder, BPD, schizoid personality disorder, and others; these serious, ongoing impairments are difficult to treat

Psychoanalysis

theory of personality and method of psychotherapy originated by Freud and focused on unconscious forces and conflicts and a series if psychosexual stages

“Double wall” of Encapsulation

adaptation to pain and avoidance of reality, in which the individual withdraws emotionally and further anesthetizes themself by chemical means

Genetic and Biophysiological Theories

explanations of addiction in terms of genetic brain dysfunction and biochemical patterns

Psychoactive Effects

how drug substances alter and affect the brain’s mental functions

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers released by nerve cells for communication with other cells

Dopamine

neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, cognition, motivation, and feelings of pleasure; it mediates the rewarding aspects of most drugs of abuse

Commorbidity

2 or more disorders or illnesses occurring in the same person; they can occur simultaneously or one after the other; also implies interactions between the illnesses that can worsen the course of both

Self-Medication

method of self care in which someone uses non-prescribed drugs to treat untreated and often undiagnosed medical ailments involving his or her psychological condition; self-prescribed drugs can include recreational drugs, psychoactive drugs, alcohol, and herbal products used to alleviate or diminish mental distress, stress and anxiety, or psychological trauma

Dual Diagnosis

individual who is simultaneously manifesting a mental health disorder(s) and substance use disorder at the same time (e.g., a person with substance use disorder experiencing depression or anxiety)

Social Learning Theory

theory that emphasizes how an individual learns patterns of behavior from the attitudes of others, society, and peers

Habituation

repeating certain patterns of behavior until they become established or habitual

Addiction to Pleasure Theory

theory that assumes it is biologically normal to continue a pleasure stimulus once begun

Sensation-Seeking Individuals

types of people who characteristically are continually seeking new or novel thrills in their experiences

Differential Reinforcement

ration between reinforcers, both favorable and disfavorable, for sustaining drug use behavior

Social Influence Theories

sociological theories that view a person’s day to day social relations as a primary cause for drug use

Amotivational Syndrome

controversial syndrome whose proponents claim that heavy marijuana use causes a lack of motivation and reduced productivity

Labeling Theory

theory emphasizing that other people’s perceptions directly influence one’s self image

Primary Deviance

any type of initial deviant behavior in which the perpetrator does not identify with the deviance

Secondary Deviance

any type of deviant behavior in which the perpetrator identifies with the deviance

Master Status

major status position in the eyes of others that clearly identifies an individual—for example, doctor professor, person with substance use disorder

Retrospective Interpretation

social psychological process of redefining a person in light of a major status position—for example, homosexual, physician, professor, person with alcohol use disorder convicted felon, or mental patient

Subculture Theory

explains drug use as a peer-generated activity

Conventional Behavior

behavior largely dictated by custom and tradition, hich is often disrupted by the forces of rapid technological change

Control Theory

theory that emphasizes that people left without bonds to other groups (peers, family, and social groups) generally have a tendency to deviate from upheld values and attitudes

Socialization

growth and development process responsible for learning how to become a responsible, functioning human being

Low-Risk Drug Choices

developing values and attitudes that lead to controlling the use of alcohol and drugs

High-Risk Drug Choices

developing values and attitudes that lead to using drugs both habitually and addictively