Substance Related, Addictive And Impulse Control

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Psychoactive substance

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A chemical compund ingested to alter mood or behaviour

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Substance use

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The ingestion of psychoactive substances in moderate amounts that does not interfere with: social functioning, educational functioning, work includes legal or illegal substances

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Substance intoxication

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A physiological reaction to an ingested substance (getting high) impaired judgement, mood changes, lowered motor ability

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Substance use disorders

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Often described as addiction. Defined by the specific impact on the individual not on the amount of substance used

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Physiological dependence

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Tolerance: greater amounts required to feel the same effect

Withdrawal: negative physical reaction when the substance is no longer used.

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Psychological dependence

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Loss of control over use, life activities are altered, drug seeking behaviours

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Brain chemistry

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Neuro transmitters are chemicals used to transmit messages across synaptic space and bind receptors. Each receptor site is sensitive to specific neurotransmitters. Substances can mimic neurotransmitters made by our own brains

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Depressants (alcohol and sedatives)

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Decrease central nervous system (CNS) activity. Reduce levels of physiological arousal due to inhibitory centres in the brain slowing down

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Alcohol

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Produced when certain yeasts react with sugar, water and fermentation. Initial effect: apparent stimulation, feelings of wellbeing, reduced inhibitions, more outgoing. Continued effect: depresses more areas of the brain, impedes our functioning.

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Long term effects of alcohol

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Alcohol influences a number of neuro receptor systems. (Glutamate system, GABA system, serotonin system).

Withdrawal: hand tremors, nausea, anxiety, hallucinations.

Organic damage: liver disease, cardiovascular disorders and brain damage.

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Stimulants (caffeine, nicotine and cocaine)

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Most consumed type of drug. Substances that increase the activity of the CNS.

Increased blood pressure, heart rate and alertness.

Causes rapid behaviour and thinking.

Anxiety, tension, anger, poor judgement.

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Amphetamines (stimulant)

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Meth, MDMA, ecstasy. Creates feelings of elation, reduced fatigue.

Stimulates the CNS by enhancing activity of dopamine, can lead to hallucinations.

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Biological influence on drugs?

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Influenced by genetics, can be genetically vulnerable to drug use.

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Neurobiological influence on drugs?

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Brain has natural "pleasure pathway" that mediates our experience of reward 'pleasure centre' . All psychoactive drugs may have the ability to activate our internal reward centre.

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Psychological influences for drugs?

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Positive reinforcements: people repeat drug use to re-experience pleasure, may be positively reinforcing.

Negative reinforcements: people repeat the use of drugs to escape negative feelings

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Cognitive influences

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Expectancy effect: what people expect to experience when they first use drugs will influence how they react

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Social influences

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Exposure to substances, moral weakness model of chemical dependence (failure of self control)

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Treatments

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Biological: agonist substitution- providing a safe drug with similar makeup to addictive drug.

Antagonist drugs: block/change effects of addictive substances.

Aversion therapy: drug use becomes associated with feelings of illness.

Psychosocial treatments: rehab for support through withdrawal. Aa meetings.