Drug Dependence and Addiction

Definition and Classification

• Drug dependence: a chronic and often relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences.
• Classified as a mental and behavioral disorder in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Stages of Drug Dependence

1. Experimentation: initial use of a drug, often voluntary and occasional.
2. Regular use: frequent and intentional use, often leading to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.
3. Risky use: continued use despite negative consequences, such as health problems or legal issues.
4. Dependence: compulsive drug seeking and use, with a loss of control over drug use.

Characteristics of Drug Dependence

• Tolerance: needing increasing amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect.
• Withdrawal: experiencing symptoms when drug use is stopped or reduced.
• Loss of control: using more drug than intended or for longer than intended.
• Neglect of other activities: giving up important activities due to drug use.
• Continued use despite negative consequences: using drugs despite physical or psychological problems.

Risk Factors for Drug Dependence

• Genetics: family history of addiction.
• Environmental factors: exposure to drugs at an early age, peer pressure, and availability of drugs.
• Mental health: underlying mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety.
• Early drug use: using drugs at a young age.

Treatment of Drug Dependence

• Medications: such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
• Behavioral therapies: such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management, to address underlying issues and develop coping skills.
• Support groups: such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), to provide a supportive community and promote recovery.

Definition and Classification

• Drug dependence is a chronic and often relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences.
• Classified as a mental and behavioral disorder in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Stages of Drug Dependence

• Experimentation involves initial use of a drug, often voluntary and occasional.
• Regular use is frequent and intentional, often leading to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.
• Risky use is continued use despite negative consequences, such as health problems or legal issues.
• Dependence is compulsive drug seeking and use, with a loss of control over drug use.

Characteristics of Drug Dependence

• Tolerance is needing increasing amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect.
• Withdrawal involves experiencing symptoms when drug use is stopped or reduced.
• Loss of control is using more drug than intended or for longer than intended.
• Neglect of other activities involves giving up important activities due to drug use.
• Continued use despite negative consequences involves using drugs despite physical or psychological problems.

Risk Factors for Drug Dependence

• Genetics play a role, with a family history of addiction increasing the risk.
• Environmental factors, such as exposure to drugs at an early age, peer pressure, and availability of drugs, contribute to the risk.
• Underlying mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, increase the risk of drug dependence.
• Early drug use, such as using drugs at a young age, is a significant risk factor.

Treatment of Drug Dependence

• Medications, such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, are used to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
• Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management, address underlying issues and develop coping skills.
• Support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), provide a supportive community and promote recovery.