Chapter 12 Flashcards
(37 cards)
Substance Intoxication
Cluster of temporary changes in behavior, emotion, or thought caused by substances
Drug/substance
- Any substance, other than food, affecting our bodies/minds (includes alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine)
- Some substances are more culturally acceptable (alcohol use, caffeine use, etc)
Substance-Use Disorder
Long-term maladaptive behavior patterns and reactions caused by repeated substance use
Tolerance
Need for increasing doses of substance to produce desired effect
Withdrawal
Unpleasant and sometimes dangerous symptoms that occur when the person suddenly stops taking or cuts back on substance
Substance Use and Addictive Disorder
Checklist
- Maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to significant impairment or distress
- Presence of at least two of the following symptoms within a 1-year period
- Substance is often taken in larger amounts or over larger period than intended
- Unsuccessful efforts/persistent desire to reduce or control substance use
- Much time spent trying to obtain, use, or recover from the effects of substance use
- Failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school or home as a result of repeated substance use
- Continued use of substance despite social/interpersonal problems caused
- Reduction or important activities because of substance use
- Continuing to use substance in situations in which use poses physical risks
- Continuing to use substance despite awareness it is causing/worsening a physical or psychological problem
- Craving for substance
- Tolerance effects
- Withdrawal reactions
Demographics of Substance Use Disorder
- 7.8% of all teens and adults in U.S. (~21 million people) have a substance use disorder
- 18% of all those w/ disorders recieve treatment from a mental health professional
Depressants
Slow the activity of the CNS
- Reduce tension and inhibitions (lowering anxiety)
Most widely used depressants
- Alcohol
- Sedative-hypnotic drugs
- Opioids
Alcohol (Depressant)
- 2 billion people worldwide consume, more than 1/2 of U.S. residents drink
- All alcoholic beverages contain ethyl alcohol
- Absorbed into blood stream thru stomach lining
- Takes effect as carried thru bloodstream —> CNS (brain/spinal cord)
- Binds to neurons that receive GABA
- GABA shut down neurons, depresses areas of brain that control judgement, more areas shut down and reaction time slows
Sedative-Hypnotic (anxiolytic) Drugs (Depressant)
Produce feelings of relaxation and drowsiness
- Low doses = calming/sedative effect (relaxation)
- High doses = sleep inducers or hypnotics (sleep)
Two classes of sedatives
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
Barbiturates (Sedative)
- Widely prescribed for first 1/2 of century (prior to benzodiazepines)
- Enhance GABA activity
- Addictive
- Many die of overdose in 1970s
- ex. Phenobarbital
Benzodiazepines (Sedative)
- Safer, less likely to lead to intoxication, tolerance effects, and withdrawals (second 1/2 of twentieth century)
- Increase GABA activity + bind to GABA receptors
- High doses can cause intoxication and lead to sedative hypnotic use disorder
Opioids (Depressant)
- Include natural and synthetic compounds
- 1917: opium-derived drugs deemed addictive/illegal
- Most smoked, inhaled, snorted, injected, or swallowed
- Injection —> “rush” : spasm of ecstasy
- Spasm followed by “high” or “nod”
- Cause CNS depression (often centers that help control emotions)
- Drugs attach to endorphin-related brain receptors (help relieve pain/tension)
Opioid Use Disorder
- May be developed after just a few weeks
- Use interferes w/ functioning
- Tolerance quickly builds and withdrawal occurs when ingestion stops
- Early withdrawal symptoms: anxiety/restlessness
- Later symptoms: twitching, aches, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss (dehydration)
- Increased dosage required to avoid withdrawal (avoiding pain, not for pleasure)
- High less intense/importance
- Users may spend much time planning next dose
Danger of Opioid Use
Most immediate danger: overdose
- Closes down respiratory centers in brain
- Resumption of usage after avoidance may take same dosage they built to
- Impure drugs lead to danger
- Infection from dirty needles/other equipment
Naloxone/Narcan: used for treatment of known/suspected opioid overdose emergency w/ signs of breathing problems and severe sleepiness/irresponsiveness
Stimulants
Increase activity of CNS
- Increase blood pressure, heart rate, and alertness
- Rapid behavior and thinking
Most common stimulants
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Caffeine
Cocaine (Stimulant)
- Can be snorted, injected, or smoked
- Tried by 39 million; currently used by 1.9 million people (mostly teens/young adults)
- Produces euphoric rush of confidence
- Stimulates higher CNS centers: user feels excited/energetic/talkative/euphoric
- Increases dopamine supply at neurons and norepinephrine/serotonin levels
- High doses produce cocaine intoxication of cocaine-induced psychosis
- As stimulant effects subside, user goes thru depression-like letdown (“crashing”) and pattern may also include headaches, dizziness, and fainting
Cocaine Intoxication
- Poor muscle coordination
- Grandiosity
- Bad judgement
- Anger
- Aggression
- Confusion
Cocaine-Induced Psychosis
Hallucinations and/or delusions
Amphetamines (Stimulant)
- Lab-made stimulants
- Amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine
- Popular among those trying to lose weight, athletes looking for energy, soldiers, truck drivers/pilots trying to stay awake, and students studying thru night
- Most often taken as pill/capsule
- Effects
- Small doses: increase energy/alertness and reduce appetite
- High doses: produce a rush, intoxication, and psychosis
- Cause emotional letdown as they leave body
- Increase release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin throughout brain
Methamphetamines (Amphetamine)
- Ice/crystal meth
- Recent popularity surge (used at least once by 6% of all residents older than 11)
- Most made in “stovetop laboratories” (dangerous fumes/residue)
- Can be smoked, snorted, injected, or orally ingested
- Preferred method depends on geography and changes with time
- Use dangers
- Serious negative effects of physical/mental/social life
- May cause neurotoxicity (damage to nerve endings, difficult to repair)
Caffeine (Stimulant)
- Consumed daily by 90% of world population
- CNS stimulant, triggers release of dopamine/norepinephrine/serotonin
- Raises arousal/motor activity and reduces fatigue
- Withdrawal symptoms: headaches, depression, anxiety, and fatigue
Hallucinogens
Produce powerful changes in sensory perception (trips)
- Strengthening normal perception
- Inducing hallucinations
Natural hallucinogens
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
- Mescaline
- Psilocybin
- MDMA (ecstasy)
LSD (Hallucinogen)
Increase and alerted sensory perception, psychological changes, and physical symptoms
- Focus on small details
- Illusions in which objects seem distorted/appear to move, breathe, or change shape
- Hallucinations and/or synesthesia
- Induced strong emotions: joy, anxiety, depression
- Altered time perception
Produces symptoms thru binding to serotonin receptors
- These neurons help control visual info/emotions, hence the effects on user
