Chapter 11:
Substance-related, addictive and impulse-control disorders
Psychoactive substances à any chemical compound that exerts an effect of the
central nervous system and alter experience, thinking, ideas, motivations and
behaviours
Substance use à taking moderate amounts of a substance in a way that does not
interfere with functioning
Substance abuse à when a substance is used in a way that is dangerous or causes
substantial impairment
Substance dependence à addiction
Tolerance à needing more of a substance to get the same effect or reduced
effects from the same amount
Pharmacological tolerance à tachyphylaxis
Withdrawal à physical symptom reaction when substance is discontinued after
regular use
6 main categories of substances:
1. Depressants (psychoactive substances – behavioural/cognitive inhibition &
behavioural sedation)
2. Stimulants (increase alertness & elevate mood)
3. Opioids (analgesia & euphoria)
4. Cannabinoid
5. Hallucinogens (alter sensory perception)
6. Other drugs of abuse (inhalants, anabolic steroids & medications)
Depressants:
Alcohol-related disorders à cognitive, emotional, behavioural, social and
physical problems associated with alcohol use and abuse
• Alcohol à product of fermentation of yeast, sugar and water
• Psychological/ physiological effects: CNS depressant & effects GABA
• Effects of chronic use: Intoxication, withdrawal (Delirium tremens), fetal
alcohol syndrome
• Long term use: dementia & Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Sedative (calming), Hypnotic (sleep inducing) or anxiolytic (anxiety reducing)
disorders
• Tranquilizing effects (GABA)
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Substance-related, addictive and impulse-control disorders
Psychoactive substances à any chemical compound that exerts an effect of the
central nervous system and alter experience, thinking, ideas, motivations and
behaviours
Substance use à taking moderate amounts of a substance in a way that does not
interfere with functioning
Substance abuse à when a substance is used in a way that is dangerous or causes
substantial impairment
Substance dependence à addiction
Tolerance à needing more of a substance to get the same effect or reduced
effects from the same amount
Pharmacological tolerance à tachyphylaxis
Withdrawal à physical symptom reaction when substance is discontinued after
regular use
6 main categories of substances:
1. Depressants (psychoactive substances – behavioural/cognitive inhibition &
behavioural sedation)
2. Stimulants (increase alertness & elevate mood)
3. Opioids (analgesia & euphoria)
4. Cannabinoid
5. Hallucinogens (alter sensory perception)
6. Other drugs of abuse (inhalants, anabolic steroids & medications)
Depressants:
Alcohol-related disorders à cognitive, emotional, behavioural, social and
physical problems associated with alcohol use and abuse
• Alcohol à product of fermentation of yeast, sugar and water
• Psychological/ physiological effects: CNS depressant & effects GABA
• Effects of chronic use: Intoxication, withdrawal (Delirium tremens), fetal
alcohol syndrome
• Long term use: dementia & Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Sedative (calming), Hypnotic (sleep inducing) or anxiolytic (anxiety reducing)
disorders
• Tranquilizing effects (GABA)
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