1. Explain factors related to substance abuse (alcoholism) Text 224-228
Health Psychology
Explain factors related to substance abuse (alcoholism) Text

2. Why focus on substance use/alcoholism?
This topic might really matter to you, at your age, pre-university, just as you hit or have hit adult age (legally)….
It’s important to know when to ask for help and/or when to encourage a friend/partner to ask for help…

3. First, key terms to know... Substance use: ingestion of any substance
Addiction: continued use of substance despite knowing problems that arise from use/lack of control/persistent desire
Psychological addiction: internal craving/desire/thoughts about substance
Physiological addiction: relates to tolerance/withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, restlessness, irritability, the shakes, replacement of routine, sleep patterns, appetite

4. Chat  When does ‘use’ shift into ‘abuse’?

6. What we should know:
Substances affect physiology/impact dopamine/pleasure center
Anticipate that social learning can contribute to patterned drinking
Role of advertising/restrictions matter; we adopt behaviours socially
Peer pressure/perceived norms/wanting to belong to in-groups

7. Other factors can you anticipate contributing?
In your notes, make 3 columns, one for each Level of Analysis
Quickly, remind yourself of principles to the LofA and think about how a principle could relate…
Possible BIO influences
Possible genetic predisposition
Different levels of physiological responses to alc – weight, height, genetics/race, gender
Possible COGNITIVE influences
Schemas around consumption/traditions/rituals in drinking
Memories around drinking/consequence(s)
What we attend to (pay attention)
Possible SOCIOCULTURAL influences
What we are surrounded with: parents, friends, coworkers, roommates, partners, authority/celebrity figures,  role of media/advertising (SLT)

8. ‘Substance abuse’
‘The over-indulgence/dependence on drug/chemical leading to detrimental effects on physical and/or mental health, or the welfare of others.’
Nutt et al (2007)
When behaviour disrupts functioning/obligations in
Employment, relationships, community

9. Let’s gather few stats... NIH
Visit site and note 2-3 facts that interest you
From your text (225)
More than half of deaths in Russia (15-54 yrs) are caused by excessive alcohol use UK Medical Research Council
In the UK, over 9000 people die a year from alcohol related diseases (not drunk driving) (Lister, 2009)

10. Watch when you have a moment…
Alcohol and your brain
Consider the factors that can influence why/when/how/how much people drink...

12. Physiological factors  Alcoholism
Genetic arguments/runs in families –Twin brothers & taste preferences similar (Overstreet, 2000); protective genes
Genetics clip:
Gender factor: higher prevalence in men than women
Prevalence in US alcoholism rates: 17 v 8 %, male female ratio (US Center for Disease Control)
Early exposure – influence over developing brain 
Role of neurotransmitter GABA Cross (2004) text p226

13. Cog & Sociocultural factors  Alcoholism
Cognitive aspects to SLT – perception based; what we attend to
Cultural normalization; perception of social norms/expectations ie: alcohol at grad?
Social Learning in groups (Bandura)
Role of social identity (Tajfel)
Minor references
Chen et al (2005)
Hill and Casswell (2001)
Saffer and Dave (2003)
Snyder et al (2006)
TASK: Read each quick reference to research; select 2 that interest you and you can remember. Put it into your own words in your notes. If you have time, research quickly into the study that was run – see if you can find more detail.

14. Significant survey research: Dring & Hope (2001) Irish focus
Alcohol ad= teen favorites
Teen beliefs that targets for alc ads were targeted at younger people
Perceptions of alc being used as gateway substance
Crit B thoughts to ponder:
Survey research lends itself to bias in sampling
As ever, trend is not causation – can’t fully blame the companies
Individual differences – safe to say majority of teens see ads, not all develop problems with drinking