S5: Substance Misuse

Question 1

What is the definition of substance misuse?

Answer 1

Continued use of any mind-altering substance that severely alters ones physical and mental health, social situations and responsibilities.

Question 2

What is dependence?

Answer 2

Can be physical or psychological
Physical dependence relates to experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Psychological dependence involves feelings of satisfaction and a desire to repeat the use of the
drug in order to produce pleasure or avoid pain, the use of a drug to deal with negative
emotions, and psychological symptoms of withdrawal e.g. anxiety.

Question 3

Mention some epidemiology relating to substance misuse

Answer 3

Drug use amongst 15-year-olds has increased in the last 5 years
Prevalence of drug and alcohol use has remained relatively stable over the last decade
Synthetic cannabinoid receptor activators are widely used in prisons

Question 4

What are some risk factors for substance misuse?

Answer 4

Issues relating to family life - neglect, drug issue and or emotion or physical abuse

Mental health - conditions like depression, anxiety and ADHD are associated with substance misuse

Employment and educational attainment - unemployment and poor educational attainment are associated with increased risk of drug use

Social groups - spending time and socialising with drug users

Previous drug use - using drugs early in life has been shown to increase the risk of going on to have problematic use

Biology - Those who report positive effects from drugs are more likely to continue using drugs

Question 5

What are the steps in the model of behavioural change?

Answer 5

1. Precontemplation
2. Contemplation
3. Preparation
4. Action
5. Maintenance
6. Relapse

Question 6

What are some theories of dependence?

Answer 6

Learning theories - classical conditioning
Imitation theories - social learning theory
Rational choice theories - theory of rational addiction

Question 7

What are the features of social learning theory?

Answer 7

MODELLING - the risk of drug use increased if you see others around modelling that behaviour
EXPECTATION - positive reward makes drug use more likely
SELF-EFFICACY - how you view your ability to abstain or deal with or abstain from a situation affects your behaviour.