PSY 349 Midterm 1

Q: What are the four components of the OARS motivational interviewing technique?

A: Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, Summaries

Q: What is the primary goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for substance use disorders (SUDs)?

A: To help individuals develop coping skills and cognitive techniques to reduce substance use.

Q: What are the five stages of change in addiction recovery?

A: Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance

Q: Why do some individuals choose not to attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?

A: Due to its religious affiliation and the requirement of giving control to a higher power.

Q: What is the I-RISA model in addiction psychology?

A: Impaired Response Inhibition and Salience Attribution, explaining attention bias and compulsive drug-seeking.

Q: What is the main purpose of supervised injection sites?

A: To reduce harm by providing a safe environment for drug use and preventing overdoses.

Q: What are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal that may require hospitalization?

A: Severe tremors, hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens.

Q: What is the primary neurotransmitter involved in addiction and reward systems?

A: Dopamine

Q: What is neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)?

A: A withdrawal condition in newborns caused by prenatal exposure to opioids.

Q: What is a common reason for relapse in addiction recovery?

A: Exposure to environmental cues that trigger cravings.

Q: What are three evidence-based pharmacological treatments for substance use disorders?

A: Methadone, Buprenorphine, Naltrexone

Q: What are some key factors contributing to the opioid epidemic?

A: Over-prescription, pharmaceutical marketing, and lack of regulatory oversight.

Q: How does motivational interviewing differ from traditional directive therapy?

A: It is collaborative and avoids confrontation, instead focusing on eliciting change talk.

Q: What is the main goal of harm reduction strategies?

A: To minimize the negative consequences of substance use rather than focusing solely on abstinence.

Q: What is the significance of thiamine deficiency in chronic alcohol use?

A: It can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, causing severe memory impairment.

Q: What are some common cognitive impairments seen in long-term substance use?

A: Reduced executive functioning, attention bias, and impaired decision-making.

Q: What role does the prefrontal cortex play in addiction?

A: It is involved in impulse control and decision-making, which become impaired in addiction.

Q: What is the difference between physical dependence and addiction?

A: Dependence involves tolerance and withdrawal, while addiction includes compulsive drug-seeking behavior.

Q: What are some social and psychological barriers to addiction treatment?

A: Stigma, lack of access to care, and co-occurring mental health disorders.

Q: How does alcohol affect the gut microbiome?

A: It disrupts healthy bacteria, leading to inflammation and cognitive changes.

Q: What are the two main factors that define addiction?

A: Loss of control and catastrophic consequences

Q: Why is addiction considered a brain disorder?

A: It involves functional changes to brain circuits related to reward, stress, and self-control.

Q: What is the difference between drug dependence and drug abuse?

A: Dependence is when the body adapts to a drug, whereas abuse is using a substance in a harmful way without necessarily being addicted.

Q: What does the DSM-5 use to diagnose Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?

A: A set of 11 criteria, with severity classified as mild (2-3 symptoms), moderate (4-5 symptoms), or severe (6+ symptoms).

Q: What is tolerance in the context of substance use?

A: The need to use increasing amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect.

Q: What is withdrawal?

A: Physical and psychological symptoms that occur when stopping or reducing drug use.

Q: What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in addiction?

A: It regulates impulse control and decision-making, which become impaired in addicted individuals.

Q: How does the dopamine system contribute to addiction?

A: It reinforces drug-taking behavior by associating substance use with pleasure and reward.

Q: What is the Diathesis-Stress Model in addiction?

A: It explains addiction as an interaction between genetic vulnerability and environmental stressors.

Q: What is the main risk associated with opioid withdrawal?

A: Dehydration, which can be fatal if untreated.

Q: How does early childhood trauma influence addiction risk?

A: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) increase vulnerability to substance use disorders later in life.

Q: What is the difference between opioids and opiates?

A: Opiates are naturally derived from the opium poppy (e.g., morphine, codeine), while opioids include synthetic and semi-synthetic substances (e.g., fentanyl, oxycodone).

Q: Why was the opioid epidemic declared a public health emergency in 2017?

A: Due to the drastic increase in opioid-related overdoses and deaths.

Q: What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder?

A: The use of FDA-approved medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone along with counseling and therapy.

Q: How does methadone help individuals with opioid addiction?

A: It reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing a strong high.

Q: What is the controversy surrounding supervised injection sites?

A: Critics argue they encourage drug use, while proponents emphasize their role in harm reduction and overdose prevention.

Q: What is Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)?

A: A condition in newborns experiencing withdrawal due to prenatal opioid exposure.

Q: What are the long-term effects of fetal opioid exposure?

A: Increased risk of cognitive deficits, behavioral issues, and developmental delays.

Q: What is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome?

A: A severe neurological disorder caused by chronic alcohol use and thiamine deficiency, leading to memory loss and cognitive impairment.

Q: What role do genetics play in addiction?

A: Studies show a high heritability rate (60-80%) for substance use disorders.

Q: Why is alcohol mixed with caffeine considered dangerous?

A: Caffeine masks the sedative effects of alcohol, increasing the risk of overconsumption and dangerous behaviors.

Q: What is the purpose of harm reduction strategies in addiction treatment?

A: To minimize the negative consequences of drug use rather than focusing solely on abstinence.

Q: What is the main goal of naltrexone in alcohol and opioid addiction treatment?

A: It blocks the pleasurable effects of substances, reducing cravings and relapse risk.

Q: How do social factors contribute to substance use disorders?

A: Peer pressure, trauma, socioeconomic status, and family environment all play a role in addiction risk.

Q: Why is fentanyl more dangerous than other opioids?

A: It is approximately 100 times stronger than morphine and has a high overdose risk.

Q: What is the significance of the gut-liver-brain axis in addiction research?

A: It highlights how gut microbiota influence cognition, mood, and addictive behaviors.

Q: What are the different types of behavioral addictions?

A: Gambling, binge eating, pornography, internet gaming, and compulsive shopping.

Q: What is the connection between prenatal stress and addiction risk?

A: High maternal stress levels can predispose children to substance use disorders later in life.

Q: Why are incarcerated individuals at higher risk for opioid overdose after release?

A: They often lose tolerance while in prison and may relapse with a dose their body can no longer handle.

Q: What is the significance of the 1995 "Pain as the 5th Vital Sign" movement?

A: It contributed to the overprescription of opioids by prioritizing patient-reported pain levels.

Q: How does Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) differ from occasional binge drinking?

A: AUD is a chronic condition characterized by compulsive drinking and significant life impairment.

Q: What are some cognitive impairments associated with long-term alcohol use?

A: Memory loss, impaired decision-making, and decreased executive function.

Q: How does the stigma surrounding addiction impact treatment rates?

A: It discourages individuals from seeking help and reduces funding for harm reduction programs.

Q: What is the role of naloxone in opioid overdose prevention?

A: It rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose by restoring normal breathing.

Q: What are the primary withdrawal symptoms of alcohol?

A: Shaking, sweating, nausea, seizures, and, in severe cases, delirium tremens (DTs).

Q: What policy change in 2023 aimed to improve access to opioid addiction treatment?

A: The elimination of the X-waiver requirement for prescribing buprenorphine.

Q: How do substance use disorders correlate with mental health conditions?

A: High rates of comorbidity exist, with conditions like depression and anxiety often fueling substance abuse.

Q: Why is early intervention important in preventing substance use disorders?

A: Addressing risk factors early reduces the likelihood of long-term addiction.