Substance Use Disorders

Substance abuse

characterized by...

- impairment of daily functioning (increased time spent on use/related activities)

- social impairment (strain on interpersonal relationships)

- personal risk (more likely to put yourself in dangerous situations)

- physical symptoms (withdrawal, increased tolerance, etc.)

Substance Abuse (risks)

-family history (seen parents engage in substance use)

- drug availability

-socioeconomic factors

- genetic (Alcoholism, nicotine dependence, and opioid addiction are linked to genes that determine the structure of dopamine receptors in the brain)

Substance Abuse (protective factors)

-parental monitoring

-academic competence

-self-control

-sociodemographic factors

Substance Abuse (neurobiology)

Dopamine system:

-Neurotransmitter system through which most drugs of abuse exert their reinforcing effects

-Drugs produce dopamine which makes pleasurable effects

Substance Abuse (treatment)

Biological Approaches:

-Detoxification (The drug: Disulfiram (Antabuse) )

-Non-Professional support groups (AA, NA, CA)

-Psychodynamic Approaches

(View these problems as symptoms of conflict)

-Behavioural Approaches

Self control strategies