SUBSTANCE ABUSE QUIZ

Substance Abuse (SA) - APA Definition

• Repeated, compulsive substance use despite problems or negative consequences (physical, social, financial, legal, occupational, psychological).
• Examples include missing school/work due to intoxication, or "sleeping it off."
• The amount used isn't as critical as the pattern of use disrupting daily life.
• Substance abuse occurs when a substance is used for an effect other than its intended purpose.

Addiction - Substance Dependence (SD)

• Addiction is defined as a dependence or a loss of control over substance use, dominating one's daily life.
• Addicts or substance dependents may experience anxiety, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms, or any combination.
• Dependents often have low frustration tolerance and need immediate gratification to cope with anxiety.

Tolerance and Tolerance Break

• Tolerance: With regular use, the body adapts, requiring higher doses for similar effects.
• Tolerance Break: The body becomes sensitive to even small amounts of the substance. Symptoms occur when usage drops suddenly.

Causes of Substance Abuse

1. Experimental Use

• Curiosity
• Peer pressure
• Parental use
• Rebelliousness
• Boredom; seeking pleasure or excitement
• Reducing anxiety, fear, stress, depression or low self-esteem.

2. Gateway Drugs

• The "gateway drug theory" suggests an introduction to drug use with use of these 3 leading on to use of other illicit drugs.
• Tobacco (cigarettes), alcohol, and marijuana are considered gateway drugs

3. Genetic Predisposition (Hereditary)

• An inherited tendency towards substances like alcohol may include greater sensitivity and tolerance, making individuals more susceptible.
• Children of parents who use substances are more prone to using substances.

Categories of Substances

1. CNS Depressants (Downers)

• Decrease the activity of the central nervous system.
• Alcohol, opiates, and barbiturates are examples of depressants.

2. CNS Stimulants (Uppers)

• Increase the activity of the central nervous system.
• Examples include amphetamines, Ritalin (stimulates the cerebral cortex), cocaine, and nicotine.

3. Hallucinogens

• Produce hallucinations (sensations and perceptions without external stimulation).
• Examples are marijuana, LSD, PCP, and mescaline.

Depressants - Alcohol

Alcoholism Cycle

• Intoxication (15-17)

• Tolerance development and heavy drinking

• Blackouts (loss of awareness while functioning)

• Tolerance break and intoxication with small amounts

• Severe drinking with various difficulties

• Abstinence, temporarily controlling drinking based on a crises, leading up to escalation of alcohol use and another crisis

• Cycle repeats

Effects of Alcohol

• Low doses can be stimulating (euphoria, alleviating doubts)
• High doses have a depressant, sedative, or relaxing effect, deadening minor aches and pains.
• Alcohol impairs coordination, cognitive function, and speech.
• Alcohol lowers inhibitions, reducing moral assertion (e.g., unprotected sex) and the capacity to foresee consequences. Drinkers often blame the substance.
• Regular drinking leads to physiological dependence as a coping mechanism or excuse for failure.

Alcohol Effects on Various Systems

• Brain: Loss of coordination, poor judgment, slowed reflexes, memory loss and blackouts are possible.
• Heart: Increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, beating abnormally, and enlarged heart size.
• Stomach: Weight gain, vomiting from toxicity, risk of stomach issues and cancer
• Liver: Liver diseases like cirrhosis, hepatitis, impaired liver function- inability to clot, and keep blood from toxins.
• Reproductive System: Heavy alcohol use can cause painful periods, heavy flows, PMS, irregular periods, and an increased risk for sexual assault and unsafe sex.

Alcohol Effects - CNS (Central Nervous System)

• Rebound: Blackouts, poor nutrition, neurotoxic effects, sedation and toxicity, coma, anesthesia, and potential death.
• Deficiencies: B-vitamin deficiencies (Thiamine and Niacin) leading to encephalopathy (confusion, lack of coordination), and Korsakoff's psychosis (inability to form new memories).
• Delirium Tremens (DT): Severe, life-threatening alcohol withdrawal (precipitated from acute injuries or illnesses)

Depressants - Opiates

• Opiates are narcotics derived from the opium poppy (a plant used for pain relief).
• Examples include morphine (pain relief), heroin (euphoria-high levels), codeine, and Demerol.
• High doses cause drowsiness, altered perception of time, impaired judgment.
• Regular use leads to a decrease in the brain producing endorphins, so withdrawal symptoms happen
• Withdrawal symptoms include flu-like symptoms (tremors, cramps, etc.)

Depressants - Barbiturates

• Barbiturates are calming and offer a mild euphoria.
• Regular use leads to physiological and psychological dependence.
• High doses cause drowsiness, motor impairment, slurred speech, and irritability; potentially leading to seizures and death

Stimulants - Amphetamines

• Amphetamines/Shabu increase alertness and cognition. They are used to stay alert, drive through the night to study, or curb hunger in dieters.
• High doses cause euphoria and hyperactivity for long periods but lead to depression ("crash") and suicidal ideation when the high ends
• High doses of Methamphetamine cause hyperactivity and wakefulness for weeks at a time, with a crashing depression when high ends

Stimulants - Ritalin

• Ritalin increases attention span and decreases disruptive behavior leading to academic gains.
• It calms hyperactive children, but it creates tolerance quickly and high doses cause side effects like nervousness, insomnia, appetite loss, hallucinations, paranoid delusions, and irritability when self-medicating

Stimulants - Cocaine

• Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the coca plant (a "tea") that can be snorted or injected
• It causes euphoria, reduces hunger, and deadens pain. It can be snorted as powder or injected as a liquid
• It can cause a "crash" and can constrict blood vessels in the nose (a negative physical effect).
• Physical dangers: risk of stroke, increased blood pressure, reduced oxygen supply to the heart, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular collapse and sudden death.
• Overdoses result in nervousness, insomnia, tremors, headaches, nausea, convulsions, hallucinations, and delusions.

Stimulants - Nicotine

• Nicotine is a stimulant found in tobacco and cigarettes, accelerating heart rate and blood sugar.
• It appears to help with memory, attention, and performance of repetitive tasks.
• It eases anxiety, although nicotine is linked to dependence.
• Withdrawal symptoms include nervousness, drowsiness, loss of energy. headache,irregular bowel movements, lightheadedness, insomnia cramps, palpitations, tremors, sweating.
• Health dangers: lung cancer and heart disease. Secondhand smoke is dangerous.

Hallucinogens

• Hallucinogens produce hallucinations that are not based on stimulation by the environment; they originate from within.
• Marijuana, LSD, PCP, and Mescaline are examples.
• Marijuana is a plant product that is generally a relaxant and mood booster. Health effects include impaired coordination, short and long term memory problems, exaggerated senses , and hallucinations.
• LSD causes changes in thoughts, colors, and feelings; flashbacks are possible.
• PCP is an animal tranquilizer that produces delusions, hallucinations, increased heart rate , and coordination problems.