Psychology Chapter 14: Substance Use Disorders

Chapter 14: Substance Use and Gambling Disorders

• Final Exam: Scheduled for Wednesday, December 11th, at 6:00 PM. Covers Chapters 10, 11, 12, and 14. Will consist of 60 multiple-choice questions.
• Laptop Required: Students must bring a laptop to the exam; no other materials are permitted.
• Quiz Deadlines: Quizzes for Chapters 10, 11, 12, and 14 are due Friday, December 6th by 11:59 pm.
• Exam Preparation Support: Students may use the discussion board, attend office hours, or email the instructor with any questions related to the exam.

Etiology: Behavioral/Cognitive

• Behavioral Perspective: Operant conditioning plays a key role in substance abuse.
• Tension Reduction Hypothesis: Argues that substance use reduces tension.
• Self-Medication Hypothesis: Suggests substance use is a way to self-medicate for emotional distress.
• Cognitive Perspective: Cognitive factors, especially expectancy, play a significant role in substance use. Individuals may develop an expectancy that substances will provide rewards, which motivates increased use, especially when stressed. This is known as the expectancy-based theory.

Sociocultural Perspective

• Familial Factors: Family dynamics and environment are important aspects that contribute to substance use disorders.
• Ethnic/Racial Treatment Disparities: There are differences in how various ethnic and racial groups may receive treatment for substance use issues.
• Social Learning Theory: Modeling of substance use behaviors from others within social environments can play a key role in substance use.
• High Stress Environments/Low SES: High levels of environmental stress and low socioeconomic status are factors associated with higher risks for substance use disorders.

Treatments for Substance Use Disorders: Biological Treatments

• Antianxiety Drugs, Antidepressants, and Drug Antagonists: Medication is used in the treatment of substance abuse. One class of biological treatments includes drugs that block the effects of the substance or alter its effect on the individual to lessen their cravings.
  • Antagonist Drugs: Block or change the effects of the addictive substance, reducing the desire for it. Examples include Antabuse and naloxone/naltrexone.
• Methadone Maintenance Programs: A method to assist in gradual withdrawal from heroin. Methadone is a less potent opioid with fewer long-lasting effects than heroin. It can block withdrawal symptoms without causing intoxication.

Psychosocial Treatments for Substance Use Disorders

• Behavioral Treatments: Aversive conditioning, covert sensitization, cue exposure with response prevention, and contingency management. These can be used alone or with medication for substance use disorder treatment.
• Cognitive Treatments: Cognitive assessments help individuals identify situations where they are likely to drink and lose control, and address their expectations for how alcohol helps them cope in those situations.
• Motivational Interviewing: A therapeutic approach used in substance use disorder treatment to elicit and strengthen clients' motivation and commitment to change.

Treatments for Substance Use Disorders: Psychosocial Treatments

• Relapse Prevention: A technique in substance abuse disorder treatment that aims to prepare individuals for potential relapses by understanding the factors that contribute to relapse and developing strategies to reduce their likelihood.
  • Abstinence Violation Effect: Feeling of conflict and guilt when violating abstinence may contribute to relapse.
  • Relapse Prevention Programs: Educational programs help individuals recognize slips as temporary situational issues, rather than as a failure or a reason to give up on the treatment plan.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): A support group for individuals with alcohol-related problems, offering guidance and community support in recovery.

Comparing Treatments

• Project MATCH: Compared three interventions for alcohol use disorders: cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancements, and a 12-step program based on the AA model. The study found the different interventions equally effective in reducing drinking and preventing relapse.
• Combination Therapies: Combining psychosocial interventions with medication generally did not yield better outcomes than using the individual interventions alone.

Prevention Programs

• Harm Reduction Model: Focuses on educating individuals about the immediate risks of excessive drinking, emphasizing the benefits of moderation, and addressing the negative effects on social skills and behaviors. Strategies may include educational programs, sexual behavior awareness and skill building, and helping individuals to find alternate methods for managing negative emotions.
• High Schools/Colleges: Educational initiatives in schools and colleges often focus on reducing the risks of alcohol misuse by using role-playing and various educational approaches.

Gambling Disorder

• Symptom Fluctuation: Individuals with gambling disorders may experience periods of reduced symptoms.
• Risk Factors: Age (Younger), gender (Male), trauma, social inequalities, low socioeconomic status, and unemployment increase the risk of developing gambling disorders, as well as gender, particularly in women.
• Need for Treatment: Consideration of treatment is also critical for consideration.

Internet Gaming Disorder

• Diagnostic Criteria: Includes eight specific criteria for diagnosis (preoccupation, withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, inability to reduce playing, giving up other activities, continuing activity despite problems, deceiving others, using gaming to relieve negative emotions.) These symptoms must be present over a significant amount of time.

This quiz focuses on Chapter 14, which explores substance use and gambling disorders. Learn about various perspectives on etiology, including behavioral and cognitive factors. Prepare for the final exam with this comprehensive assessment.