Substance related disorders

What types of disorders exist? Disorders of intoxication Disorders of dependence Disorders of abuse Disorders of withdrawal

What is the difference between abuse and dependence? Continued use of the substance even after experiencing serious substance related problems The user will start to experience tolerance and need more of the substance to maintain the same effect as earlier Will experience withdrawal symptoms when not using Increased heart rate, shaking, insomnia, fatigue, irritability, etc. Abuse Continued use of a substance despite school, work, or interpersonal problems The user has not experienced dependence yet User may have difficulties taking care of responsibilities

Types of substance disorders Alcohol Amphetamine Caffeine Cannabis Cocaine Hallucinogen Inhalant Nicotine Opioid

Alcohol First of all…alcohol is a depressant Alcohol suppresses the excitatory neurotransmitters and increases inhibitory transmitters This means that your thought, speech, and movements are all slowed down Alcohol increases the release of dopamine in your brain’s reward center While you are increasing dopamine (the feel good neurotransmitter) you are simultaneously enhancing feelings of depression Users get hooked on the good feelings of that dopamine release, but this eventually becomes non-existent By this point, addiction will likely have taken hold

Amphetamine Amphetamines are stimulant drugs Increase the concentration of dopamine in the synaptic gap Used to keep you awake, but used as stimulants recreationally Can cause social isolation, aggressive behaviour, sexual dysfunction, depression, psychotic episodes Some examples include: Adderall, desoxyn, Dexedrine, Benzedrine, methamphetamine, crystal meth, ecstacy/mdma

Caffeine Stimulant to the central nervous system Mild physical dependence can develop No physical, social, or economic health risks Some mild symptoms include: headache, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating

cannabis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vygJr4VgoM

Cocaine Cocaine stimulates the key pleasure centers in the brain Tolerance develops quickly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OS2C4NemJI

Hallucinogens Change the way a person sees, hears, smells, and affect mood/thought Include: LSD, mushrooms, Mdma, ecstacy, ketamine, salvia, Peyote, etc. Symptoms: increase blood pressure, and may cause convulsions or seizures, mood swings, panic attacks, paranoia Stimulate serotonin receptors in the brain – increased excitability of the neurons Addiction to the feeling/hallucination, not the drug itself

inhalants Chemicals found in household products that people inhale to “get high” Common types: laughing gas (nitrous oxide), Poppers (amyl/butyl nitrite), bold/rush (nitrites) Nitrites are used mainly to enhance sexual experiences. Can be found in room odorizer, leather cleaner etc. Aerosols such as spray paint are often used When inhaled, they slow down brain activity, but nitrites expand and contract blood vessels The “high” if very brief, often causing people to use more frequently

nicotine Controls flow of dopamine and can take less than 10 seconds to reach the brain Body reactions include: heart rate and blood pressure increase, blood vessel constriction, brain waves altered, muscles relax People can grow tolerant and thus the addiction is born Smoking is also a force of habit, which in itself is addictive

Opiod Opiates produce a sense of euphoria and a typically used for treating pain Common drugs: codeine, Vicodin, morphine, oxycodone, dilaudid, fentanyl Both a physical and psychological dependence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKMlHNqlQsM

Addictions and genetics Addiction is 50% predisposition Children of addicts are 8 times more likely to become addicts themselves Certain dopamine receptors are more common in people with addictions, and these receptors get passed down It is important to note that just because a person Is more likely to develop an addiction does not mean that they will Poor coping skills play a huge role in development of an addiction

Questions and discussion