Substance-Related, Addictive, and Impulse-Control Disorders Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering substance-related disorders, specific drug classes, physiological effects, treatments, and impulse-control disorders from Chapter 11.

Substance use

Taking moderate amounts of a substance in a way that doesn’t interfere with functioning.

Substance intoxication

A physical reaction to a substance, such as being drunk.

Substance Use Disorder

Use of a substance in a way that is dangerous or causes substantial impairment, such as affecting a job or relationships, requiring $2+$ symptoms within a year.

Substance dependence / Addiction

A condition defined by at least $2$ symptoms in the last year that interfere with life, often characterized by tolerance, withdrawal, or drug-seeking behavior.

Tolerance

Needing more of a substance to get the same effect or experiencing reduced effects from the same amount.

Withdrawal

The physical response when a substance is discontinued after regular use.

Depressants

A category of substances that result in behavioral sedation, including alcohol, sedatives, and anxiolytic drugs.

Stimulants

Substances that increase alertness and elevate mood, such as cocaine and nicotine.

Opiates

Natural chemicals in the opium poppy with narcotic effects that produce analgesia and euphoria, including heroin, morphine, and codeine.

Hallucinogens

Substances that alter sensory perception, such as marijuana and LSD.

GABA

The specific neurotransmitter target of alcohol that increases inhibitory effects, making neural cells worse at firing.

Delirium tremens

Hallucinations and tremors brought on by withdrawal from severe alcohol use.

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Problems in a fetus caused by alcohol use during pregnancy, leading to impaired growth, cognitive difficulties, and behavioral problems.

Wernicke-Korsakoff disorder

A condition resulting from long-term heavy alcohol use characterized by confusion, lack of coordination, and impaired speech.

Sedatives

Calming drugs in the depressant class, such as barbiturates.

Hypnotic

Drugs in the depressant class that are sleep-inducing.

Anxiolytic

Anxiety-reducing drugs in the depressant class, such as benzodiazepines.

Amphetamines

Stimulants that enhance the release of norepinephrine and dopamine and then block their reuptake.

Cocaine

A highly addictive stimulant that produces short-lived sensations of elation and vigor by blocking the reuptake of dopamine.

Nicotine

A stimulant that activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the CNS, resulting in sensations of relaxation and pleasure.

Caffeine

A "gentle" stimulant used by over $85\%$ of Americans that blocks the reuptake of the neurotransmitter adenosine.

Opioids

Natural and synthetic substances with narcotic effects that activate the body's enkephalins and endorphins.

Analgesic

A term for a substance used as a painkiller, frequently referring to opioids.

Marijuana

A mild hallucinogen containing the active ingredient Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Hallucinations

Altered sensory perceptions, such as seeing or hearing things that are not present.

Inhalants

Volatile solvents, such as spray paint or gasoline, that are breathed directly into the lungs and absorbed rapidly.

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

Substances derived or synthesized from testosterone used medicinally or to increase body mass, characterized by dependence on the physical effects rather than a "high."

Opponent-process theory

A psychological theory suggesting that drugs are used as the easiest way to alleviate feelings of withdrawal.

Expectancy effects

A cognitive factor in substance use where people use drugs because they anticipate positive effects.

Agonist substitution

A biological treatment involving a safe drug with a similar chemical composition to the abused drug, such as methadone or nicotine gum.

Antagonistic treatment

Biological treatment using drugs that block or counteract the positive effects of substances, such as naltrexone.

Aversive treatment

Biological treatment using drugs that make substance use extremely unpleasant, such as Antabuse.

Gambling Disorder

An addictive disorder involving recurrent gambling leading to clinically significant distress or impairment, requiring $4+$ symptoms within a year.

Intermittent explosive disorder

A rare impulse-control disorder characterized by frequent aggressive outbursts leading to injury or property destruction.

Kleptomania

An impulse-control disorder involving the failure to resist the urge to steal unnecessary items.

Pyromania

An impulse-control disorder involving an irresistible urge to set fires, diagnosed in just $3\%$ of arsonists.