Alcoholism and Substance Abuse

Questions and Answers

What is a common outcome associated with an earlier age of onset of substance abuse?

Poor outcomes

What is a common consequence of extended substance use?

Increased risk of mental and physical deterioration and infectious disease

What is a characteristic of problem gambling?

Feeling anxious or restless when attempting to quit

What is a common behavior exhibited by individuals with a substance-related disorder?

Lying about gambling or substance use Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a substance that can be addictive, but is not considered a mental health problem per se?

Caffeine Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of substance abuse?

Increased risk of suicide Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe symptoms that are similar to other mental illness diagnoses, caused by substance use?

Substance-induced symptoms Signup and view all the answers

What is the factor that contributes to the development of substance-related disorders, according to research?

Biological and psychological factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the ingestion of mood-altering substances on the brain?

It stimulates dopamine pathways in the limbic system Signup and view all the answers

What is the proposed mechanism that some people have to limit their alcohol consumption to one or two drinks?

An internal alarm that limits the amount of alcohol consumed Signup and view all the answers

What is the factor that is thought to contribute to the development of substance abuse in children of alcoholics?

Lack of nurturing and inconsistency in parent's behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of high doses of alcohol on psychological pain?

It increases psychological pain Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The later course of alcoholism involves periods of abstinence or temporarily controlled drinking, which may lead to an escalation of alcohol intake, more problems, and a subsequent crisis.
Poor outcomes are associated with an earlier age at onset, longer periods of substance use, and the coexistence of a major psychiatric illness.

Risks Associated with Substance Use

Extended use of substances increases the risk of mental and physical deterioration and infectious disease, such as HIV and AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis, especially for those with a history of intravenous (IV) drug use.
An increased number of alcohol-dependent people commit suicide.

Gambling disorder is a non-substance-related diagnosis characterized by problem gambling, lying about gambling, getting money from others, and an inability to refrain from gambling.
Attempts to quit or cut down on gambling result in restless, anxious, and irritable behavior.

Caffeine and Tobacco

Caffeine and tobacco or nicotine are substances that are addictive and are included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, but are not considered mental health problems per se.

Substance-Induced Symptoms

Substances can induce symptoms that are similar to other mental illness diagnoses, such as anxiety, psychosis, or mood disorders.
These symptoms may subside once the substance is eliminated from the body, but this is not always the case.

The exact causes of drug use, dependence, and addiction are not known, but various factors are thought to contribute to the development of substance-related disorders.

Biologic Factors

Children of alcoholic parents are at higher risk for developing alcoholism and drug dependence.
Neurochemical influences on substance use patterns involve the stimulation of dopamine pathways in the limbic system, producing pleasant feelings or a "high" that is a reinforcing, or positive, experience.
The distribution of the substance throughout the brain alters the balance of neurotransmitters that modulate pleasure, pain, and reward responses.

Psychological Factors

Family dynamics are thought to play a part in the development of substance-related disorders.
Children of alcoholics are four times as likely to develop alcoholism compared with the general population.
Inconsistency in the parent's behavior, poor role modeling, and lack of nurturing may contribute to the child's adoption of a similar style of maladaptive coping, stormy relationships, and substance abuse.
Some people use substances as a coping mechanism or to relieve stress and tension, increase feelings of power, and decrease psychological pain.