The drugs mentioned in this paper each have their own specific effects on the user but they are similar in the manner in which they are used and the treatment used when working with the abuser.
A ‘substance’ is a chemical compound that alters behaviour or mood when ingested. This group includes alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, heroin and cocaine along with chocolate and soft drinks. The vast majority of users of the ‘safe’ drugs are not perceived as addicts, they can be equally as addictive and harmful to one’s health.
There is a clear distinction between a user and an abuser of drugs. ‘Substance use’ suggests that the individual ingests the drug in moderate amounts that have no significant effect on their social, educational or occupational functionality. The drug has the ability, based on the quantity ingested to create impaired judgement, mood changes and lowered motor ability; this result is referred to as intoxication. ‘Substance abuse’ as an extension of ‘use’ is really defined on how the use of the drug affects the individual’s relationships, his work or education and whether it causes him to place himself or others in physically dangerous situations (Barlow & Durand: 2005).
‘Drug dependence’ is often described as addiction. There is however some disagreement in how we best define substance dependence (Woody & Cacciola: 1997). One definition would explain how the individual requires systematically greater quantities of the drug to experience the same level of intoxication (tolerance), and will behave negatively if the drug is not ingested (withdrawal) (Franklin & Frances: 1999). An alternate view on substance dependence pertains to the behaviour that focuses on finding the required drug as a dependence indicator. A different view of substance dependence focuses on the drug seeking behaviour itself as an indication of dependence. The repetitive ingestion of the drug, an increased need for more of the drug and the likelihood that re-use of the drug will occur after a period of abstinence; are all behaviours that help to define the extent of the drug dependence. These behaviours have a psychological component and these in conjunction with physiological components of tolerance and withdrawal make for a better understanding of substance dependence.
Many people are able to ‘enjoy’ a glass of wine ...
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Depressants
2.1 Disorders related to alcohol use
2.2 Disorders related to sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic substances
3. Stimulants
3.1 Disorders related to amphetamine use
3.2 Disorders related to cocaine use
3.3 Disorders related to nicotine use
3.4 Disorders related to caffeine use
4. Opioids
5. Hallucinogens
5.1 Marijuana
5.2 Other hallucinogens including LSD
5.3 Other abused drugs
6. Causes of substance-related disorders
6.1 Biological factors
6.2 Psychological factors
6.3 Cognitive factors
6.4 Social factors
6.5 Cultural factors
7. Substance related disorders treatment
7.1 Biological treatment
7.2 Psychosocial treatment
7.3 Prevention
8. Impulse-Control Disorders
8.1 Intermittent Explosive Disorder
8.2 Kleptomania
8.3 Pyromania
8.4 Pathological gambling
8.5 Trichotillomania
9. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of substance-related and impulse-control disorders, examining their physiological effects, diagnostic classifications, and treatment methodologies. The research explores the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to the development and persistence of these disorders, with a specific focus on understanding the mechanisms of addiction and the efficacy of various interventions.
- Categorization and effects of psychoactive substances including depressants, stimulants, opioids, and hallucinogens.
- Etiological factors contributing to substance-related disorders, ranging from biological and cognitive to sociocultural influences.
- Clinical treatment strategies, covering both pharmacological (biological) approaches and psychosocial interventions.
- Analysis of impulse-control disorders, including their behavioral manifestations, underlying triggers, and current research limitations.
Excerpt from the Book
Disorders related to alcohol use
The fermentation of fruits and vegetables using yeast in the presence of sugar and water produces ethyl alcohol. We have managed to ferment a wide variety of fruits and vegetables over the course of time (Lazare: 1989). Alcohol is often perceived to be a stimulant because of its initial apparent stimulant affect. However, alcohol is a depressant of a number of centres in the brain; initially the inhibitory centre is depressed and we experience feelings of well-being, reduced inhibition and we become for sociable. As consumption of alcohol continues more areas in the brain are depressed and this affects the ability to function properly; confusion ensues, reaction time increases and motor coordination is impaired, our judgement is impaired and our senses of vision and hearing can also become impaired.
Alcohol affects a number of areas of the body. The alcohol passes through the oesophagus into the stomach where small amount are absorbed. The vast majority of the consumed alcohol passes into the small intestine where its absorption into the bloodstream is optimum. The circulatory system distributes the alcohol throughout the body where it reaches every major organ of the body including the heart. Alcohol also reaches the lungs where it is vaporised and exhaled, as alcohol passes through the liver it is metabolised into carbon dioxide and water by enzymes. An average individual is able to metabolise seven to ten grams of alcohol per hour; this is comparable to one beer or one glass of wine (Moak & Anton: 1999).
Alcohol interacts with numerous neuroreceptors in the brain. The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system is particularly receptive to alcohol; GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that interferes with the firing of neurons it connects to. When GABA attaches to the receptor chloride ions enter the cell and make it less sensitive to the effects of other neurotransmitters. Alcohol has the ability to enhance the movement of these chloride ions into the cells and thus inhibit their firing – as such the neurons have difficulty ‘communicating’ with each other (Oscar-Berman, Shagrin, Evert & Epstein: 1997). Alcohol’s antianxiety properties may be a result of its interaction with the GABA system which acts on our feelings.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter defines key concepts such as substance use, substance abuse, and drug dependence, while highlighting the distinction between casual use and clinical addiction.
Depressants: This section covers substances that decrease central nervous system activity, with a detailed analysis of alcohol consumption and its interaction with neuroreceptors like GABA.
Stimulants: This chapter discusses drugs that increase alertness and mood, detailing the physiological and psychological effects of amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, and caffeine.
Opioids: This section examines naturally occurring and synthetic opiates, describing their narcotic effects and the high risk of dependence and respiratory depression.
Hallucinogens: This chapter covers substances that alter sensory perception, including marijuana and LSD, and discusses the challenges of defining their medical use versus potential abuse.
Causes of substance-related disorders: This section provides an integrative look at the biological, psychological, cognitive, social, and cultural factors that drive drug dependence.
Substance related disorders treatment: This chapter evaluates various treatment modalities, distinguishing between biological (pharmacological) and psychosocial (behavioral) interventions.
Impulse-Control Disorders: This chapter shifts focus to disorders characterized by irresistible impulses, covering intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania, pyromania, gambling, and trichotillomania.
Conclusion: This final chapter summarizes the findings, emphasizing the need for more extensive research into the etiology and diagnosis of impulse-control disorders.
Keywords
Psychopathology, substance-related disorders, impulse-control disorders, drug dependence, alcohol abuse, stimulants, depressants, opiates, hallucinogens, neurotransmitters, GABA, addiction treatment, biological factors, psychosocial intervention, tolerance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The publication provides an academic overview of the classification, physiological mechanisms, and clinical management of substance-related disorders and various impulse-control disorders.
What are the primary categories of substances analyzed?
The work categorizes substances into five main groups: depressants (including alcohol), stimulants, opioids, hallucinogens (including marijuana and LSD), and other abused drugs like inhalants and steroids.
What is the central research question addressed?
The text explores how different substances affect brain chemistry and functionality, and how an integrative approach—considering biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors—is essential for understanding and treating addiction.
Which scientific methods are primarily utilized in the text?
The paper utilizes a literature-based review approach, synthesizing existing psychiatric research, diagnostic criteria from the DSM-IV-TR, and neurobiological theories of reward pathways.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main sections move from specific drug-class analyses to the broader causes of dependence, followed by treatment methods and the distinct category of impulse-control disorders.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include psychopathology, substance-related disorders, neurotransmitter systems (GABA/dopamine), drug dependence, clinical treatment, and impulsivity.
How does the author define the difference between a user and an abuser?
The author defines a user as someone who ingests substances in moderate amounts without significant impairment, whereas an abuser is defined by how the drug usage adversely impacts relationships, work, education, or personal safety.
What does the text conclude regarding impulse-control disorders?
The text notes that research into impulse-control disorders is currently in its infancy, suffering from a lack of empirical data and standardized treatment, which often leads to anecdotal rather than evidence-based regimens.
How is the "expectancy effect" described in the context of drug use?
The expectancy effect refers to how an individual's perception of a drug's anticipated impact—such as feeling "high" or "relaxed"—strongly influences the actual physiological and psychological reaction the body has to the substance.
What role does the GABA system play in the context of alcohol and sedative use?
Alcohol and sedatives enhance the movement of chloride ions into cells via the GABA receptor system, which inhibits neuronal firing and results in the calming, anti-anxiety, and potentially intoxicating effects associated with these substances.
- Quote paper
- Gary Elliott (Author), 2013, Psychopathology: Substance Related and Impulse Control Disorders, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/275084
