PSYB32H3 Chapter 12: Substance-Related Disorders
Document Summary
Substance dependence: characterized by the primary symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance: larger doses of substance needed to produce desired effect or the effect of the drug becomes less if usual amount is taken. Withdrawal: negative physical and psychological symptoms that develop when the subjects stop taking substance or reduces amount. In order to abuse a substance a person must experience one of the following as a result of recurrent use of the drug: Polydrug or polysubstance abuse: alcohol abuse w/ dependence on other drugs. Often anxious, depressed, weak, restless, and unable to sleep. Muscles will tremor (small muscles like fingers and face), pulse, blood pressure, and temperature will rise: delirium tremens (delirious, tremulous, visual hallucinations) will appear for chronic abusers when bac decreases. Alcohol stimulates gaba receptors to increase serotonin and: glutamate decreases, tolerance occurs as gaba receptor sensitivity goes down. Alcohol abuse occurs in 4 stages: social drinking -> living to dopamine drink.
