Psychoactive substance
Substance that when ingested alters mood, thoughts, or behavior
Substance use
Using substances in controlled manner
Tolerance
Requiring more of substance to get same effect
Withdrawal
Symptoms that develop after stopping use of a substance after chronic use
Substance intoxication
A reversible syndrome due to recent ingestion of a psychoactive substance
Physiological, behavioral, and mood changes
Varies across substances
Impairment: most important aspect
Substance use disorder
Pattern of use lasting 12 months and associated with significant impairment
Symptoms: taking more than intended, persistent desire to quit/unsuccessful attempts to quit, great deal of time spent on substance, craving/strong desire to use, failure to fulfill major roles, persistent social problems, important activities given up, use in hazardous situations, exacerbation of known condition, tolerance, withdrawal when stopped
How severity of a substance use disorder is measured
of symptoms, not how much is used
Depressants mechanism
Depress CNS activity
Types of depressants
Alcohol
Barbiturates
Hypnotics (Ambien)
Benzodiazepines (usually used to treat anxiety; Xanax, Valium, Rufies, etc.)
Neurotransmitter depressants act upon
GABA: increase
Intoxication symptoms of depressants
Slurred speech
Incoordination
Nystagmus (involuntary jerkiness of eyes)
Withdrawal symptoms of depressants
Medically dangerous
Hand tremors
Hallucinations
Seizures
Long-term effects of alcohol abuse
Liver damage (cirrhosis)
Cognitive impairment: Wernicke-Korsakoff’s (memory impairment, delusions, confusion)
Pancreatitis
Cardiovascular issues
Epidemiology of alcohol usage
50% of Americans drink
23% of Americans binge drink (4+ drinks for women; 6+ drinks for men)
17% of Americans qualify for alcoholism at some point in their lifetimes (more males than females)
Alcoholism has a progressive course (~20% remit)
Stimulants mechanism
Stimulate CNS activity
Types of stimulants
Amphetamines (meth, ecstasy)
Cocaine (different forms: intensity depends on how fast it enters bloodstream)
Nicotine
Caffeine
Neurotransmitters acted upon by stimulants
Amphetamines and cocaine: increase dopamine
Nicotine: acetylcholine
Intoxication symptoms of stimulants
Tachycardia (racing heart)
Decreased appetite
Chest pain
Seizures
Withdrawal symptoms of stimulants
Not medically dangerous
Fatigue
Vivid dreams (usually nightmares)
Depression
Effects of meth on body
Teeth erosion
Sores from picking at skin
Gaunt from not eating
Effects of opioids
Analgesic (painkiller)
Euphoria
Types of opioids
Heroin
OxyContin
Morphine
Neurotransmitter acted upon by opioids
Endorphins (pain relieving effects and euphoric effects)
Intoxication symptoms of opioids
Pupil dilation/contraction
Drowsiness (or coma)
Slurred speech
Withdrawal symptoms of opioids
Not medically dangerous
Excessive yawning
Nausea
Piloerection (goosebumps)
Effect of hallucinogens (psychodelics)
Alter perceptions (not necessarily hallucinations)
Types of hallucinogens
Marijuana
LSD
Psilocybin (peyote)
Mescalin (shrooms)
Neurotransmitter acted upon by LSD
Serotonin
Intoxication symptoms of marijuana
Conjunctival injection (red eyes) Increased appetite (munchies) Dried mouth Tachycardia (racing heart) Psychomotor retardation
Anomaly of marijuana
Minimal or reverse tolerance (more you use, the less it takes to get high)
Withdrawal from hallucinogens
Withdrawal is minimal
Intoxication symptoms of LSD
Perceptual changes
Sweating
Blurred vision
Incoordination
Inhalents
Volatile solvents breathed directly into lungs (spray paint, hair spray, paint thinner, gasoline, nitrous oxide)
Effects similar to alcohol
Tolerance/withdrawal common
Anabolic steroids
Derived from testosterone
Medical uses and increased body mass
Doesn’t produce a physiological high
Can result in long-term mood disturbances and physical problems
Dissociative anesthetics
Cause drowsiness, relieve pain, cause dissociations (become separate from who you are)
Examples: PCP (angel dust), ketamine (special K), bath salts
Designer drugs
Synthetic drugs produced to mimic the effects of illegal drugs
Don’t contain illegal substances (change compound slightly)
An effort to stay ahead of the law
Genetic influence of substance abuse disorders
Strong genetic component
Reward sensitivity (likelihood to get positive effects from substance use)
Differences in metabolism
Cognitive influences of substance abuse disorders
Expectancy effects (affects you how you think it’s going to affect you)
Cravings (drug cues cause desire to use)
Using is not usually an active choice
Agonist substitution
Treatment of substance abuse disorders
Give medication that acts on same neurotransmitter as substance
Safer, controlled
Antagonist substitution
Treatment of substance abuse disorders
Give medication that blocks positive effects of substance
Aversive treatment
Treatment of substance abuse disorders
Make use extremely unpleasant
Give medication along with substance to make person sick