1. Addiction and Drug Abuse

2. Chapter 6 Addiction and Drug Abuse
Learning Outcomes:
Discuss the concept of addiction and describe various addictive behaviors
Discuss various kinds of drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Discuss different types of psychoactive drugs and their effects
Discuss who uses psychoactive drugs
Explain how people respond to drugs in different ways
Describe pathways to drug abuse and dependence
Discuss ways of becoming and remaining drug free

3. Addictive Behaviors Psychological Addiction: Physiological Addiction:
A pattern of compulsive behavior, or habitual use of a drug, indicating impaired control without physiological signs of dependence.
Behaviors: Compulsive spending, pathological gambling, internet addiction
Physiological Addiction:
A state of physical need for a drug, characterized by the development of a withdrawal syndrome (abstinence syndrome) following abrupt cessation of use of a particular drug.
Tolerance: user needs larger amounts or doses of the drug to achieve same effect

4. Drug Use, Misuse, Abuse
Drug: chemical affects psychological and biological function Drug Misuse: use of a drug not for the purpose or in the way that is was intended Over-the-Counter drug: available for sale without prescription. Easy to misuse Prescription Drug: Controlled and regulated, must be prescribed by a doctor

5. Psychoactive Drugs
Drugs that act on the brain to affect mental processes – mood, thought processes, perceptions and behaviors
Some are physically addictive, some are illegal
Caffeine #1 drug of choice
Major classes:
Depressants
Stimulants
Hallucinogens

6. Psychoactive Drugs Depressants Stimulants Barbiturates
Lower rate of CNS activity
Have potential for psychological /physical dependence
Barbiturates
Sedatives
Tranquilizers
Opiates – highly addictive
Narcotics
Opium, Morphine,
Heroin, Codeine
Tolerance
Alcohol
Increase level of CNS activity
Have potential for psychological /physical dependence
Amphetamines
Increase heart rate, BP
High doses – “rush”
Suppress appetite – diet pills
Methamphetamines
Amphetamine psychosis
Cocaine – highly addictive
Crack, free base
Cocaine psychosis

7. Caffeine Most widely used psychoactive drug Mild stimulant
For most healthy and non-pregnant adults – moderate intake of mg per day poses no significant risk
Effects dose-related

8. Psychoactive Drugs Hallucinogens Club Drugs (Designer) Inhalants
Alter sensory perceptions, distorting reality, producing hallucinations
LSD: “acid”
“trips” ; sensation crossover
Mescaline and Psilocybin
“peyote”, “magic mushrooms”
Phencyclidine (PCP)
“angel dust”
Deliriant
Marijuana
Most widely used illegal drug
Mild hallucinogen & relaxant
Potential physiological dependence
Club Drugs (Designer)
Increase risks of sensory stimulation
MDMA, GHB, Rohypnol, ketamine, herbal ecstasy
Inhalants
Deriliant, also depressant effects on nervous system
Quickly absorbed into bloodstream
Anabolic Steroids
Medical Uses

9. Psychoactive Drug Use in U.S.

10. Response to Drugs
Response varies with type of drug, route of administration, user’s biological response to drug, user’s frame of mind, presence of other drugs, and social setting
Routes of Administration:
Ingested – typically longer for effect
Injected (directly into bloodstream fastest)
Inhaled or smoked (can reach brain within 10 sec)
Absorbed

11. Response to Drugs Dose-response relationship Biological Responsivity
Weight, gender, tolerance
Frame of mind
Drug Interactions
May increase risk of toxicity
Additive, Synergistic effect, potentiate antagonist
Social Factors

12. Drug Abuse and Dependence
Drug Abuse: The repeated use of a drug even when use harms the user’s health, impairs user’s ability to meet academic, occupation, or family responsibilities, or exposes the user or others to danger.
Factors Influencing Abuse:
Environmental: peer pressure, exposure, subcultures
Psychological: feelings of hopelessness, self-medication
Genetic: linked to increased risk - predisposition
Biochemical: production of pleasurable effects, damage of dopamine centers

13. Drug Dependence Stage 1 – Experimentation Stage 2 – Routine Use
Stage 3 – Addiction
Codependence:
A relationship where a codependent is enabling or assisting in maintaining the drug-dependent person’s chemical dependency.
Gateway Drugs – stepping stones

14. Drug Treatment
Detoxification – ridding the body of drugs
Starting point – works through withdrawal
Therapeutic Communities
Drug free residential treatment facilities
Methadone Maintenance
Synthetic opiate blocks “heroin high: prevents developing withdrawal symptoms
Psychological Interventions
Pharmacotherapeutic Approaches
Antidepressants – treatment of cocaine addiction
Self-Help Organizations (AA, NA, CA, Ala-non)