Chapter 12: Substance Use and Addictive Disorders

Alcohol

-Any beverage containing ethyl alcohol, which is absorbed into the blood and takes effect through the bloodstream to the CNS which acts to depress or slow functioning by binding to neurons Examples: beer, wine, liquor

Sedative-hypnotic Drugs "anxiolytic" (anxiety reducing) drug

-Depressant produces feelings of relaxation and drowsiness -low dosage: relaxed and drowsiness -high dosages: sleep inducers (hypnotics) -barbiturates and benzodiazepines

Categories of substances people misuse:

-Depressants -Stimulants -Hallucinogens -Cannabis

Opioids

-Include opium: taken from sap of opium poppy -Heroin, Morphine, codeine, Oxycodone, Synthetic opioids -Collectively known as narcotics -Smoked inhaled, snorted, needle injected (skin popped) or injected directly into bloodstream -Depresses CNS (emotion part), attaches to brain that receives endorphins (pain relief neurotransmitter)

Alcohol Use disorder "Alcoholism"

-Men outnumber women 2:1 -Drink large amounts regularly and rely on it to enable to do things that would otherwise make them anxious - Interferes with social behavior and ability to think and work -Bodies build up a tolerance, need to drink even larger amounts to feel its effects -Withdrawal: hands, tongue, eyelids begin to shake, feel weak/nauseated

Depressants

-Slow activity of central nervous system -Reduce tension and inhibitions and may interfere w/ judgement, motor activity & concentration

Examples of Depressants

Alcohol, sedative-hypnotic drugs, and opioids

Drug

Any substance other than food that affects our bodies or minds

Barbiturates (Sedative-hypnotic Drugs)

Barbiturates: addictive sedative-hypnotic drug that reduce anxiety and help people sleep -At too high of dosages can halt breathing, lower blood pressures and lead to coma and death -repeated use: sedative-hypnotic use disorder -Major danger of tolerance: dose of drug remains the same even while the body is building up a tolerance for its sedating effects-->convulsions

What happens as a person continues to keep drinking alcohol?

Depresses areas of the brain that control judgement and inhibition -become looser, more talkative, and often more friendly Inner controls break down -feel relaxed, confident, and happy Then slows down more areas of CNS, speech less coherent and memory weakens Vision becomes blurred, trouble hearing, drop things, bump into things

Opioid Use Disorder

Heroin use

Morphine

Highly addictive substance derived from opium that is effective in relieving pain -Converted into a new pain reliever= heroin

Effects of Opioids

Injection brings a rush: spasm of warmth and ecstasy, followed by several hours of pleasant feeling called a high or nod -Users feel relaxed, happy, and unconcerned about food, sex or other bodily needs

Substance use disorders

Long term problems, when substances are used regularly/repeatedly

Benzodiazepines (Sedative-hypnotic Drugs)

Most common group of anti anxiety drugs -Valium & Xanax Relieve anxiety without making people as drowsy -Less likely to slow breathing, so less cause of death

Heroin

One of the most addictive substances derived from opium -Illegal in the US

Withdrawal

Unpleasant, sometimes dangerous reactions (cramps, anxiety attacks, sweating, nausea) that may occur when people who use a drug regularly stop taking or reduce their dosage of the drug

Tolerance

When people become physically dependent on the substance -The brain and body's need for ever larger doses of a drug to produce earlier effects

The stimulant used by MORE people in the world than any other drug is:

caffeine

During his first night in the detoxification unit, Quent developed what seemed like a case of the flu. He ached all over and had diarrhea. He was probably withdrawing from:

heroin.

Unlike the opioid drugs morphine and heroin, methadone:

is synthetic.

A college professor's work performance recently has deteriorated, and his colleagues find him difficult to talk to. If this is due to a problem with drugs, the best description of this professor's behavior as detailed above would be:

substance use disorder.

Substance Intoxication

temporary undesirable behavioral or psychological changes (in behavior, emotion, or thought) that develop during or shortly after ingestion of substance

Mendon began by taking one amphetamine a day to control his appetite. After a month or so, the one pill did not work as well but two pills did. This is an example of:

tolerance.