Substance Use and Public Health Quiz

A state characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite negative consequences.

The prevalence of different drug use in the UK, showing the number of past-year users in millions.

The perception of harm caused by drugs by the public vs. scientific evidence, illustrating a mismatch in understanding.

A comparison of the perceived and scientific harm scores of various drugs. It demonstrates the difference between public opinion and expert assessment.

Alcohol's high harm score is due to its impact on individuals and society, including health issues, crime, and economic losses.

The detrimental effects of alcohol use on society, including costs related to crime, lost productivity, and healthcare burdens.

A substantial problem in England, with smoking being a leading cause of preventable health issues and premature deaths.

A comprehensive report published by the United Nations, detailing the global prevalence of drug use, highlighting a significant increase in users over the past decade.

The cost to society of smoking in England is significant, with direct costs to the NHS, social care and lost productivity.

Withdrawal symptoms are a common experience when someone stops using alcohol, and they can be varied and intense, with the most severe usually occurring during the first few days.

There are many reasons why people use drugs and alcohol, ranging from social pressure and curiosity to self-medication and coping mechanisms.

Illegal drug use in the UK has a significant economic impact, with the estimated cost significantly exceeding the amount spent on prevention and treatment.

A feeling of detachment from reality, often used as a coping mechanism to deal with painful experiences.

The need to experience pleasure and satisfaction, often seeking immediate gratification without considering consequences.

Social pressures or expectations that encourage individuals to engage in certain behaviors, often leading to conformity.

Using substances to escape from reality or cope with painful emotions, often due to underlying mental health issues.

A common reason for substance abuse, where individuals are seeking to alleviate or numb emotional distress.

The body's need for a substance to function normally, often due to repeated exposure.

A state of needing increasingly larger amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect.

A mental and physical state characterized by a compulsive desire and inability to stop using a substance despite negative consequences.

The likelihood of developing alcoholism due to one's genetic makeup.

Identical twins share 100% of their genes. If one twin has alcohol dependence, the other has a 54% chance of developing it as well.

Fraternal twins share only 50% of their genes. If one twin has alcohol dependence, the other has a 28% chance of developing it as well.

People with a family history of alcoholism are more likely to develop it even if adopted into a different family. They're four times more likely to develop alcoholism compared to those with adoptive parents without a history of alcohol dependence.

Early childhood experiences, such as trauma, can significantly increase the risk of addiction later in life. This can be even stronger than the link between obesity and diabetes. Two thirds of addicts report some form of childhood abuse.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that occur during childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence. Having more than 4 ACEs dramatically increases the risk of alcohol and drug use disorder, as well as other physical and mental health issues.

The social environment plays a critical role in shaping addiction. It influences factors like availability of drugs and alcohol, and social learning through friends and family.

Addiction is linked to a decrease in dopamine receptors in a part of the brain called the striatum. This makes pleasurable experiences less rewarding, leading to a craving for addictive substances.

D2 receptors are involved in the brain's reward system and are more dense in dominant monkeys. This suggests that dominant animals may have an advantage in seeking and experiencing pleasurable rewards.

Social stress can decrease D2 receptor density in subordinate monkeys, making them more susceptible to drug use.

Dominant monkeys exposed to cocaine used it more, while subordinate monkeys, already stressed with low D2 receptors, used cocaine even more extensively.

Rats in a stimulating environment called Rat Park were less likely to use morphine as a reward compared to isolated rats, reinforcing the idea that environmental factors play a crucial role in addiction.

Crack cocaine users who were given small rewards were more likely to choose the immediate gratification of the drug, highlighting the powerful influence of immediate rewards.

The environment plays a vital role in addiction. This is demonstrated by the rapid decrease in heroin addiction among US soldiers returning from Vietnam, emphasizing the impact of environmental factors on drug use.

The density of D2 receptors influences an individual's susceptibility to addiction. Higher D2 receptor density can lead to greater reward sensitivity and a heightened risk of addictive behaviors.

Social stress can amplify the risk of addiction. Individuals experiencing social stress may be more vulnerable to developing addictive behaviors due to altered brain chemistry and coping mechanisms.

A technique that helps clients understand the pros and cons of making a change, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of their current behavior against potential alternatives.

A strategy for understanding and reframing clients' resistance to change. It involves recognizing and addressing the underlying concerns and motivations driving their resistance.

A therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying, challenging, and modifying negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to addictive patterns.

A type of therapy that focuses on the client's current challenges and their ability to make changes by highlighting their internal resources and strengthening their self-efficacy.

A process of understanding a client's values, beliefs, and goals, aligning the change process with their personal aspirations.

A method used in therapy to help clients understand the root causes of their addiction, going beyond the substance itself.

A group of therapies that aim to build healthy social connections and support systems, often used in addiction recovery.

A model used to assess a client's readiness for change, recognizing different stages of commitment and motivation.