Substance Abuse and Behavioral Addiction

Substance Abuse

• Refers to the harmful pattern of using substances, such as drugs or alcohol, in a way that affects a person's daily life
• Can lead to addiction, health problems, and social and economic issues
• Examples of substances commonly abused:
  • Opioids (e.g., heroin, prescription painkillers)
  • Stimulants (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines)
  • Depressants (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines)
  • Hallucinogens (e.g., LSD, PCP)

Behavioral Addiction

• Refers to a pattern of behavior that is compulsive and continues despite negative consequences
• Examples of behavioral addictions:
  • Gambling addiction
  • Internet addiction
  • Sex addiction
  • Food addiction
  • Exercise addiction

Withdrawal

• A set of symptoms that occur when a person stops using a substance or engaging in a behavior they are physically dependent on
• Symptoms can be physical (e.g., tremors, nausea) or psychological (e.g., anxiety, depression)

Dependence

• Physical dependence: the body adapts to the presence of a substance and experiences withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped
• Psychological dependence: a person feels they need the substance to cope with daily life
• Dependence can lead to addiction

Psychological and Physiological Dependence

• Psychological dependence: a person's emotional reliance on a substance or behavior
• Physiological dependence: the body's physical adaptation to the substance, leading to withdrawal symptoms when stopped

Tolerance

• A phenomenon where the body adapts to the presence of a substance, requiring more of it to achieve the same effect
• Can lead to increased substance use and addiction

Withdrawal Syndrome

• A group of symptoms that occur when a person stops using a substance or reduces their intake
• Symptoms can be severe and even life-threatening

Risk Factors in the Development of Addiction

• Genetic predisposition
• Environmental factors (e.g., peer pressure, availability of substances)
• Mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety)
• Trauma and stress

Explanations for Nicotine Addiction

• Nicotine activates the brain's reward system, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine
• Nicotine can also stimulate the release of other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine
• The combination of these effects can lead to addiction

Cue Reactivity

• A phenomenon where environmental cues (e.g., people, places, things) associated with substance use trigger cravings and relapse
• Cue reactivity is a major obstacle to overcoming addiction
• Treatment strategies often focus on managing cues and developing coping skills to prevent relapse

Substance Abuse

• Substance abuse refers to the harmful pattern of using substances, such as drugs or alcohol, in a way that affects a person's daily life
• Leads to addiction, health problems, and social and economic issues
• Examples of substances commonly abused include opioids, stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens

Behavioral Addiction

• Behavioral addiction refers to a pattern of behavior that is compulsive and continues despite negative consequences
• Examples of behavioral addictions include gambling, internet, sex, food, and exercise addiction

Withdrawal and Dependence

• Withdrawal refers to a set of symptoms that occur when a person stops using a substance or engaging in a behavior they are physically dependent on
• Symptoms can be physical (e.g., tremors, nausea) or psychological (e.g., anxiety, depression)
• Physical dependence: the body adapts to the presence of a substance and experiences withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped
• Psychological dependence: a person feels they need the substance to cope with daily life
• Dependence can lead to addiction

Tolerance and Withdrawal Syndrome

• Tolerance: a phenomenon where the body adapts to the presence of a substance, requiring more of it to achieve the same effect
• Can lead to increased substance use and addiction
• Withdrawal syndrome: a group of symptoms that occur when a person stops using a substance or reduces their intake
• Symptoms can be severe and even life-threatening

Risk Factors and Addiction

• Genetic predisposition, environmental factors, mental health conditions, and trauma and stress are risk factors in the development of addiction
• Nicotine addiction is caused by nicotine activating the brain's reward system, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine, and stimulating the release of other neurotransmitters

Cue Reactivity and Overcoming Addiction

• Cue reactivity: a phenomenon where environmental cues associated with substance use trigger cravings and relapse
• Cue reactivity is a major obstacle to overcoming addiction
• Treatment strategies often focus on managing cues and developing coping skills to prevent relapse

Addictions

Dependence

• Psychological dependence is an emotional need for a substance, leading to compulsive behavior
• Physiological dependence is a physical need for a substance, leading to withdrawal symptoms when stopped

Tolerance

• Tolerance is needing increased amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect
• Repeated exposure to the substance and body's adaptation to the substance cause tolerance
• Consequences of tolerance include increased risk of overdose and greater physical dependence

Withdrawal Syndrome

• Withdrawal syndrome is a set of symptoms that occur when a person stops using a substance or reduces the dose
• Symptoms include physical (e.g., tremors, seizures) and psychological (e.g., anxiety, depression) effects
• Duration of withdrawal syndrome varies depending on the substance and individual

Risk Factors

• Biological risk factors include genetic predisposition and brain chemistry
• Environmental risk factors include family history, peer influence, and availability of substances
• Psychological risk factors include mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety) and trauma

Nicotine Addiction

• Nicotine stimulates dopamine release, leading to feelings of pleasure
• Nicotine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to rapid effects
• Repeated exposure to nicotine leads to changes in brain chemistry, increasing dependence

Cue Reactivity

• Cue reactivity is a response to environmental cues associated with substance use
• Examples of cues include seeing a pack of cigarettes, smelling smoke, and being in a location where substance use occurred
• Consequences of cue reactivity include craving and relapse