Substance Use and Addictive Disorders - Chapter 10

substance intoxication

a cluster of temporary undesirable behavioral or psychological changes that develop during or shortly after the ingestion of a substance

substance use disorder

a pattern of long-term maladaptive behaviors and reactions brought about by repeated use of a substance

tolerance

the brain and body's need for ever larger doses of a drug to produce earlier effects

withdrawal

unpleasant, sometimes dangerous reactions that may occur when people who use a drug regularly stop taking or reduce their dosage of the drug

alcohol

any beverage containing ethyl alcohol, including beer, wine, and liquor

alcohol use disorder

DSM-5 diagnostic term for alcoholism

delirium tremens ("the DTs")

a dramatic withdrawal reaction that some people who are dependent on alcohol have; it consists of confusion, clouded consciousness, and terrifying visual hallucinations

Korsakoff's syndrome

an alcohol-related disorder marked by extreme confusion, memory impairment, and other neurological symptoms

fetal alcohol syndrome

a cluster of problems in a child, including low birth weight, irregularities in the head and face, and intellectual deficits, caused by excessive alcohol intake by the mother during pregnancy

sedative-hypnotic drug

a drug used in low doses to reduce anxiety and in higher doses to help people sleep; also called an anxiolytic drug

barbiturates

addictive sedative-hypnotic drugs that reduce anxiety and help people sleep; prescribed for medical use prior to the 1950s

benzodiazepines

the most common group of sedative-hypnotic drugs, which includes Valium and Xanax

opioid

opium or any of the drugs derived from opium, including morphine, heroin, and codeine

morphine

a highly addictive substance derived from opium that is particularly effective in relieving pain

opium

a highly addictive substance made from the sap of the opium poppy

endorphins

neurotransmitters that help relieve pain and reduce emotional tension; they are sometimes referred to as the body's own opioids

cocaine

an addictive stimulant obtained from the coca plant; it is the most powerful natural stimulant known

amphetamines

a stimulant drug manufactured in the laboratory

free-basing

a technique for ingesting cocaine in which the pure cocaine basic alkaloid is chemically separated from processed cocaine, vaporized by heat from a flame, and inhaled with a pipe

crack

a powerful, ready-to-smoke free-base cocaine

methamphetamine

a powerful amphetamine drug that has surged in popularity in recent years, posing major health and law enforcement problems

hallucinogen

a substance that causes powerful changes primarily in sensory perception, including strengthening perceptions and producing illusions and hallucinations; also called a psychedelic drug

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

a hallucinogenic drug derived from ergot alkaloids

Stimulant Use Disorder

DSM-5 diagnosis for regular use of cocaine, amphetamines, or methamphetamine that impairs social and occupational functioning

hallucinosis

another term for hallucinogen intoxication; characterized by a general strengthening of perceptions (especially visual), as well as psychological and physical symptoms, and the possible experience of hallucinations

cannabis drugs

drugs produced from the varieties of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa (e.g., hashish, marijuana); they cause a mixture of hallucinogenic, depressant, and stimulant effects

marijuana

one of the cannabis drugs, derived from the buds, leaves, and flowering tops of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa

tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

the main active ingredient of cannabis substances

synergistic effect

in pharmacology, an increase of effects that occurs when more than one substance is acting on the body at the same time

substance abuse personality

the idea that personality factors (such as being dependent, antisocial, impulsive, thrill-seeking, etc.) contribute to vulnerability to substance-related disorders; psychodynamic theorists believe early childhood relationships contribute to this

reward center

dopamine-rich pathway in the brain that produces feelings of pleasure when activated

aversion therapy

a behavioral treatment in which clients are repeatedly presented with unpleasant stimuli while they are performing undesirable behaviors such as taking a drug

contingency management

behavioral approach to treatment wherein undesirable behaviors are not reinforced (and desirable ones are); for example, incentives such as cash, vouchers, prizes, or privileges might be contingent on the submission of drug-free urine samples

relapse-prevention training

a cognitive-behavioral approach to treating alcohol use disorder in which clients are taught to keep track of their drinking behavior, apply coping strategies in situations that typically trigger excessive drinking, and plan ahead for risky situations and reactions

detoxification

systematic and medically supervised withdrawal from a drug

antagonist drugs

in substance use treatment, drugs that block or change the effects of an addictive drug

methadone maintenance program

a treatment approach in which clients are given legally and medically supervised doses of methadone (a heroin substitute) to treat heroin-centered substance use disorder

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

A self-help organization that provides support and guidance for people with alcohol use disorder

disulfiram (Antabuse)

an antagonist drug for alcohol; patients taking disulfiram will experience very unpleasant side effects if they ingest alcohol (e.g., nausea, vomiting, blushing, dizziness, fainting)

naloxone

a narcotic antagonist that blocks the usual effects of opioids, preventing users from feeling a rush or high

residential treatment center

a place where people formerly addicted to drugs live, work, and socialize in a drug-free environment while undergoing therapy; also called a therapeutic community

community prevention program

programs that attempt to prevent substance use by providing education to individuals, families, peer groups, and schools

gambling disorder

a disorder marked by persistent and recurrent gambling behavior, leading to a range of life problems

Internet gaming disorder

a disorder marked by persistent, recurrent, and excessive Internet gaming; recommended for further study by the DSM-5 task force

self-help program

a treatment approach where laypersons (non-professionals) provide peer support in overcoming a personal problem (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous)

polysubstance use

a pattern of taking more than one drug at a time

reward deficiency syndrome

reduced responsiveness of the limbic reward center, likely caused by genetic factors; some theorists belief this contributes to substance use disorders in individuals

cirrhosis

A disease characterized by scarring and eventual destruction of the liver; a medical complication of chronic alcohol addiction

dopamine-2 (D2) receptor gene

abnormal form of this gene has been found a the majority of research participants with substance use disorders (but in less than 20% of those without such disorders)